A Farewell To Kings

A place to discuss the studio albums

Moderator: Priests of Syrinx

Post Reply
User avatar
Kevin
Posts: 332
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2003 2:07 pm
Location: Upstate NY

A Farewell To Kings

Post by Kevin »

Perhaps their best album? I like to think so, at least one of their best three anyway. (Hard to judge when it comes to Rush, every album seems to be as good as the next.) But yeah, this album is just...wow. I could go on and on about it, especially the title track, Xanadu, and Cygnus X-1. It doesnt hurt that it has perhaps Rush's most well known song, Closer to the heart, as well as two outstanding tracks like Cinderella man and Madrigal. For six songs, this album sure packs a big punch. 8)
Image
Sir Myghin
Posts: 9148
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:12 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Post by Sir Myghin »

aye admirable album but its no hold your fire, still great though
User avatar
wcp
Posts: 659
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:24 am

Post by wcp »

My favourite album right there!
mixes perfect blend of acustics with hard hitting Rock! (cinderella man, farewell to knings, and closer to the heart)
Plus it is just so Rush. when somone mentions Rush that is what i think of that is the image i get in my mind the look and sound of the band That is Rush!
KaelMwithascrubbrush
Posts: 588
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2003 10:52 am
Location: I don't know, but there's a snake in my boot and an arrow just hit me in the butt!

Post by KaelMwithascrubbrush »

AFTK has one of the best covers. Very poignant, very Rush.
"I broke a mirror in my house. I'm supposed to get seven years bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five."
-Steven Wright
afterimage
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2003 4:46 am

Post by afterimage »

A Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres are two of my favorites.
A Farewell To Kings and Closer To The Heart are great songs and Cinderella Man is one of my favorites. Of course Xanadu and Cygnus XI pack a punch as well.
Image
"Swept away like voices in a hurricane, In a vapor trail"
Amarok

Post by Amarok »

Xanadu, superb. Great Intro with the wind howling.
User avatar
Xanadu
Posts: 7878
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:26 pm
Location: My vortex.

Post by Xanadu »

Xaanaaaaduuuuuuu....Geddy calls to me...~sigh~ :oops:
We're all mad here!
User avatar
Slaine mac Roth
Posts: 1295
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:09 pm
Location: Mansfield, (UK)

Post by Slaine mac Roth »

I'm a big fan of AFTK. Another album where all the elements just gel. I suppose, however, it could be thought as a little overblown and pompous in places (not so much as Hemispheres though).

Believe it or not, though, there are a couple of guys over at Rushfan.co.uk who call it crude?
'Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?'
User avatar
Fridge
Posts: 207
Joined: Sat May 22, 2004 7:23 am
Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Post by Fridge »

Slaine mac Roth wrote:I'm a big fan of AFTK. Another album where all the elements just gel. I suppose, however, it could be thought as a little overblown and pompous in places (not so much as Hemispheres though).

Believe it or not, though, there are a couple of guys over at Rushfan.co.uk who call it crude?
You're at it again Slaine! :wink:

I don't think it is a pompous album, but it is a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Xanadu, the title track ,Cinderella Man (superb Weather Report style funky bass at the end) are all very good...

The clunker is Cygnus X-1 which IMO is simply unforgiveable. I can personally find no redeeming features in this song, and it is indeed "crude".
*Lifesonite
Posts: 3442
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 1:41 pm
Location: Flowing Through The Universe, In A Paisley Shirt... Man.

Post by *Lifesonite »

Cygnus X-1 features a lot of rhythmic ideas and is probably self-indulgent, so I can understand. Cygnus X-1 is probably my favorite song from AFTK. They weren't afraid to open with it a few times, either! ;)

Like my siggy? :twisted:
I remember watching in amazement as Geddy sang, played bass, and played the keyboards with his feet. I thought, "Who is this guy???"
-- IFALT
KaelMwithascrubbrush
Posts: 588
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2003 10:52 am
Location: I don't know, but there's a snake in my boot and an arrow just hit me in the butt!

Post by KaelMwithascrubbrush »

Fridge wrote:... ,Cinderella Man (superb Weather Report style funky bass at the end) are all very good...
:lol: ...now is that Weather Report with Miraslov Vitos or Jaco? Ahhhhhh Jaco! Let's not forget the little Dennis Chambers-esque syncopation in the drums as well, eh. Dose Rush boys...dey got demselves some soul. :wink:
"I broke a mirror in my house. I'm supposed to get seven years bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five."
-Steven Wright
User avatar
Slaine mac Roth
Posts: 1295
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 2:09 pm
Location: Mansfield, (UK)

Post by Slaine mac Roth »

Fridge wrote:
Slaine mac Roth wrote:I'm a big fan of AFTK. Another album where all the elements just gel. I suppose, however, it could be thought as a little overblown and pompous in places (not so much as Hemispheres though).

Believe it or not, though, there are a couple of guys over at Rushfan.co.uk who call it crude?
You're at it again Slaine! :wink:

I don't think it is a pompous album, but it is a bit of a mixed bag for me.
Xanadu, the title track ,Cinderella Man (superb Weather Report style funky bass at the end) are all very good...

The clunker is Cygnus X-1 which IMO is simply unforgiveable. I can personally find no redeeming features in this song, and it is indeed "crude".
I never said that you find it pompous, I said you found it crude in places. I find it a little pompous in places and overblown. However, I put it down to the whole late '70s Prog/Art rock movement which took a great deal of pleasure in this very thing.

I mean, Yes, Pink Floyd and, especially, ELP could all be very pompous and overblown (I think you'll find ELP's picture next to those words in the dictionary), so Rush are in very august company.
'Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?'
Post Reply