PRIMAL NOSTR - GROW NOSTR 💜🧡❤️

APOCALYPSE ANONYMOUS by

ATOSHI ANARKOMOTO

'A Farewell to Kings' is the fifth studio album by Rush, released on Anthem Records on August 29, 1977. The album reached No. 11 in Canada and marked a growth in the band's international fanbase, becoming their first Top 40 album in the U.S. and the U.K.

After reaching a critical and commercial peak with '2112' and touring the album, Rush decided to record the follow-up outside Toronto for the first time and settled in Rockfield Studios in Wales after their debut European tour.

'A Farewell to Kings' is noted for the band expanding their sound with greater use of synthesizers and each member playing more instruments than before; and having long and short tracks such as the 11-minute "Xanadu", and "Closer to the Heart" of under 3-minute, both of which became live favourites. The closing science-fiction themed "Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage" ends on a cliffhanger which concludes on the next album, 'Hemispheres'.

'A Farewell to Kings' received a generally positive reception from critics. "Closer to the Heart" was released as the album's first single, which reached No. 36 in the U.K. Rush supported the album with their most extensive tour at the time, headlining major venues across North America and Europe for over 140 dates.

A 40th anniversary remastered edition with bonus tracks and a 5.1 surround sound mix was released in 2017.

Track listing

Side one

01. "A Farewell to Kings"

02. "Xanadu"

Side two

01. "Closer to the Heart"

02. "Cinderella Man"

03. "Madrigal"

04. "Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage"

"Prologue"

"1"

"2"

"3"

Personnel

Geddy Lee - vocals, bass and twelve-string guitar, Minimoog, bass pedal synthesizers

Alex Lifeson - electric and acoustic six- and twelve-string guitars, classical guitar, bass pedal synthesizers

Neil Peart - drums, orchestra bells, wind chimes, bell tree, vibraslap, triangle, tubular bells, temple blocks.

What do you think of this classic Rush album in comparison to other great albums of theirs released in the 70's and during the early 80s?