Another double feature and this time it’s dedicated to the almighty Rush!!!!! Man I cannot believe I haven’t done a Rush review yet but here we are.

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Goddamnit, just…. We have to mourn the loss of Tim Conway. Even though I knew was struggling with dementia, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. As apart of The Carol Burnett Show and as Barnacle Boy- -Sorry, Barnacle Man, have given me and many others much joy so the featured image is now a Siamese pair of elephants in his honor. He will be much missed.

A Farewell To Kings

A Farewell To Kings is the fifth studio album by Rush, released September 1, 1977 on Anthem Records in Canada and Mercury in the States. Produced by Rush and Terry Brown, the album is the follow up to the band’s breakthrough effort 2112 and features the band’s hit “Closer To The Heart”.

1. “A Farewell To Kings” (Geddy Lee/Alex Lifeson/Neil Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eV-5iNu6Sd8

We open with the title cut which is possibly named after the Hemingway novel A Farewell To Arms. And Good God, the little acoustic thing Alex does with the synth and bells backing it is just such a gorgeous way to open the track and the album. This makes the abrupt shift into rock all the more remarkable and noteworthy, and goddamn the band is just…. wow. The drumming by Neil, the rumbling Rickenbacker bass of Geddy, as well as his vocals, guy gets a lot of shit for his vocals but I love Geddy’s voice. And finally Rush’s secret weapon, Mr. Alex Lifeson on guitar.

What a way to open this album, and yet it pales in comparison to…..

2. “Xanadu” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SEuOoMprDqg

If there was any track that ever made me want to smoke a really good doobie, it’s Xanadu. But fuck, just lie down, put this on your system-really good headphones, a really good vinyl, turn everything else off, or just put this on as you’re outside in the grass with the trees. Just sit down and soak it all in, because the track demands that.

The lyrics were inspired by the poem “Kinks Khan”, where Xanadu is the kingdom that Khan resides in. And the lyrics really do invoke this magical place that one seeks but can never find. And all the little changes, the twists and turns this track takes that feels like a journey to the center of the Earth with all its crazy parts from A to B. And that incredible solo from Alex near the end.

A masterpiece, that’s all I can say.

3. “Closer To The Heart” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart/Peter Talbot):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kyhW2v0NDM0

“Closer To The Heart”, the most popular song off this album as the lead single. It’s also the first song to feature an outside writer as Neil’s friend Peter Talbot helped with some of these lyrics.

It starts off with the really pretty acoustic guitar by Alex as well as a strong vocal by Geddy. You know, I can’t say it’s a bad song, certainly the solo is great, but it’s never been a favorite of mine and I’m not trying to be hipster or anything but it’s my least favorite on the album.

4. “Cinderella Man” (Lee/Lifeson):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s_8DDOL20Go

“Cinderella Man”, with lyrics by Geddy Lee based off the movie Mr. Deeds Goes To Town.

I always found the song pretty Who like in its structure between the big dramatic instrumentation as well as the acoustic that reminds me of “Pinball Wizard”. And yet it still manages to be its own thing entirely, and is one of the most underrated Rush tunes if you ask me.

In short, Cinderella Man kicks ass.

5. “Madrigal” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DQaTqUQ-oOA

We slow things down with this really beautiful, understated piece. We all know how good the members are at their instruments, but here they are slowing down and just letting you enjoy the atmosphere, and it’s a great addition to the record.

6. “Cygnus X-1-Book One-The Voyage” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIIlkyZ328

First off, how surprised would you be if I told you that Rush were big pot smokers back in the day? Not at all? Figures. Anyway, Cygnus X-1 refers to an x-ray source in the constellation of Cygnus, which is believed to be a black hole. The epic is about an explorer on the ship Rosciante (named for Don Quixote’s horse) who gets sucked into a black hole.

The trippy intro, Geddy’s bass comes rumbling in and I hear a decent amount of Les Claypool in this (makes sense since Claypool was very much influenced by Geddy) as well as some Zeppelin-y elements in how the three jam. Then it all comes together into some good old prog epicness. All the time changes, but it stays interesting through it all; there are some bands that get kind of boring but Rush doesn’t ever bore me. Also, holy hell does Geddy get high up there on this song.

What can I say, I adore this track, it’s a fantastic way to conclude this album.

Hemispheres

Hemispheres is the sixth studio album by Rush, released October 29, 1978 on Anthem Records. Produced once again by Terry Brown and Rush, this was the band’s final album to be recorded in England before returning to their native country. This is also commonly considered the apex of their progressive direction.

1. “Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7uXCfDRddC0

The sequel to the last track on Farewell, this covers the explorer’s departure from the black hole into Olympus, whereupon he finds his way into a war between Apollo and Dionysus over the struggle between Mind and Heart.

This is an epic tune that totally punks you into thinking it’s over around the four and a half minute mark and then proceeds to launch into a full attack. And it’s just an epic story that really makes you think about emotion versus logic, and how important both are. You need to feel but you also need to think, both are important and neither should outweigh the other; a message that’s more relevant than ever.

It’s just an absolute classic and what a way to kick off the album, although I don’t think it’s as good as its predecessor.

2. “Circumstances” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i9dHL7GA1nk

“Circumstances”, the second single off the album.

In contrast to the opening track, this is a fairly straightforward rocker (at least by Rush standards). But it’s a very good rocker, with a sweet little bass run that would make Entwistle and Squire proud.

Overall, I dig the tune, it’s a good rockin’ little number.

3. “The Trees” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JnC88xBPkkc

“The Trees”, the tale of feuding trees. This actually came from a cartoon that Neil saw, and when asked, he said he didn’t actually mean for this to be some kind of metaphor.

Even with that in mind, the plight of the maple trees really does feel like a metaphor. They’re being oppressed, denied equal sunlight, while the oak trees selfishly controlling of the sunlight while saying they should be happy with what they have. The oak trees live with a certain level of privilege that makes them unable to empathize with the maple trees and scoff at the idea of treating them with fairness and respect. And in the end, they’re all cut down by lumberjacks. Death doesn’t give a shit who you are, the color of skin, your sex or gender, religion, class, in the end, we will all go, and the content of our character and how we impacted others is what matters, so please. Be good to your fellow man. I mean it.

And even with that, the song manages to capture an epic feel within a four minute tune which is awesome, just like this song.

4. “La Villa Strangiato” (Lee/Lifeson/Peart):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UNilsLf6eW4

We close out the album with Rush’s first instrumental, based on the dreams Alex was having at the time and how it would progress. The band had a goal of recording the track in one take but for technical reasons ultimately had to do it in three (still pretty damn impressive).

Man, the way Alex opens the track up with the little flamenco and then the band comes in, Neil’s drumming is just exceptional as always. But really, Alex is the star as far as I’m concerned, especially when he starts playing during the slower part. Again he’s often overlooked but Lifeson can rip like a son of a bitch, and then play the most tasteful thing on the guitar.

Oh yeah, the track is rocking out again. These time changes are executed brilliantly, every member shines on here, and not a note is wasted in the nine minutes. Take notes modern day Maiden.

Best track on Hemispheres, and what a song to end this review of two all-time classics in Rush’s discography.

What a time in Rush’s history, when they were really pushing themselves as players and writers. Of course there’s a lot of other fantastic music in their catalogue, especially up to Moving Pictures (or even Signals), but this is a special moment in this fantastic band’s history.

That is it, be sure to comment, subscribe, and recommend this to friends and foes alike. You can also suggest future albums and artists to cover on here.