CLASSIC ROCK ALBUM OF THE WEEK CLUB

Every week we choose a classic album – some obscure, some well known – and share knowledge and opinion. Listen and debate with us at: http://bit.do/aotw. Have your say on the history of rock, one album at a time… And you might just see yourself in print.

A Farewell To Kings

rush

(1977)

WHAT YOU SAID

Benjamin Kelk: This is a quintessential listen for first- time Rush listeners. Absolutely perfection from beginning to end (all Rush albums are though). From the opening notes of the title track to the closing, fading strums of Cygnus X-1, there is never a dull moment on this album. Every time I listen to it is like the first time I listened, gives me chills every time. All bow down to the mighty Rush! John Edgar: I’m fine with it when a band I like decides to ‘grow’, and this was definitely a growth spurt for Rush. To me, it was a natural ascension in their playing and writing. I loved this album, but then I love everything they’ve ever released. At the same time, I had a lot of friends that began to drift away from Rush when this came out. To this day, they’re still stuck in the past, only listening to those first few albums, missing out on all that awesome music that came after. Their loss.

Debii Marie: This is my favourite album by Rush, with the sublime Xanadu, the title track and Closer To The Heart. It also heralds the concept of Cygnus, which is continued in Hemispheres. However, Cinderella Man is the weak link and its Elton John-like melody sounds dated.

Gavin Norman: That was the first Rush album I heard, and had a cassette taped off a mate. The opening title track is still a favourite. That moment when the acoustic intro gives way to the crashing electric chords still raises a fist in the air. Have to give a shout-out to the artwork and that great logo. Have repaid the band by buying it on vinyl and CD – along with everything else they’ve done over the years. Home taping killing music? What a load of mush; home taping spreads the word!