A Farewell to Kings
A Farewell to Kings is the fifth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1977. The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, and mixed at Advision Studios in London.
A Farewell to Kings would become Rush's first US Gold-selling album, receiving the certification within two months of its release and was eventually certified Platinum.
Geddy Lee originally wrote his bass lines on his acoustic bass. The birds heard on "A Farewell to Kings" and "Xanadu" were recorded outside near Rockfield Studios.
Musical style
The lyrics of "Cinderella Man" are based on the Frank Capra film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. It is also notable as one of the few Rush songs for which Geddy Lee wrote all of the lyrics after Peart's entry into the band.
"Madrigal" is one of the band's softest songs of this time period. It is also one of Rush's shortest songs at 2:35. The only other Rush songs that are shorter are "Need Some Love" (2:19), "Malignant Narcissism" (2:17), and "Hope" (2:02). Interestingly, the bass line in Madrigal, with a single exception separating the two verses, never plays the same note twice in a row.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Neil Peart except where noted, all music composed by Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee except where noted.
Reception
- In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album came #6 in its list of "40 Cosmic Rock Album".[3]
- Allmusic's Greg Prato gave the album 3.5 stars (of 5), saying they "had improved their songwriting and strengthened their focus and musical approach." He took notice of the synthesizers that were creeping into the arrangements; "a direction the band would continue to pursue on future releases."[1]
- Robert Christgau, "The Dean Of American Rock Critics", was much less kind. He gave the record a D rating, calling them "the most obnoxious band currently making a killing on the zonked teen circuit." He compared them to bands such as "Angel, or Kansas, or a power trio Uriah Heep, with the vocals revved up an octave."[2]
Personnel
- Geddy Lee – vocals, bass guitar, twelve string guitar, Mini-Moog and bass pedal synthesizers
- Alex Lifeson – electric, acoustic and classical guitars, bass pedal synthesizer
- Neil Peart – drums, cymbals, cowbells, orchestra bells, wind chimes, triangle, bell tree, vibra-slap, tubular bells, temple blocks
- Declan O'Doherty – Mixing, vocal mastering
- Terry Brown – engineer, spoken intro to "Cygnus X-1"
- Pat Moran – engineer
- Hugh Syme – art direction and graphics
- Yosh Inouye – cover photography
- Roger Stowell – sleeve photograph
- Fin Costello – liner photographs
- George Graves – mastering on original album
- Bob Ludwig – remastering
Charts
Singles
| Information |
"Closer to the Heart"
- Released:
- Written by: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart & Peter Talbot
- Produced by: Rush and Terry Brown
- Chart positions: #76 US Hot 100
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"Cinderella Man"
- Released:
- Written by: Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson
- Produced by: Rush and Terry Brown
- Chart positions:
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Remaster details
A remaster was issued in 1997.
- The tray has a picture of the star with man painting (mirroring the cover art of Retrospective I) with "The Rush Remasters" printed in all capital letters just to the left. All remasters from Rush through Permanent Waves are like this.
- The remaster has all of the original vinyl packaging, including the back cover (all black with puppet strings) and inner sleeve photos of the band on stage. The star with man logo was reinstated after its absence on the original CD issue.
References
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| Studio albums |
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| Extended plays |
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| Live albums |
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| Singles |
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| Live videos |
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| Album compilations |
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| Video compilations |
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| Tours |
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| Related articles |
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