Hemispheres by Rush

Hemispheres, Rush's marvelous 1978 album

A decidedly prog album, with its long suites, complex rhythms, and tempos, it's truly magnificent, and also one of my favorite Rush albums.

An album that is universally recognized as a masterpiece of progressive rock and a key album for fans of the genre for its exceptional technical quality, musical innovation, and its completion of the progressive trilogy that began with 2112 and A Farewell to Kings.

A great demonstration of the trio's technical mastery, with intricate arrangements and bold musical solutions that set a benchmark in the progressive rock scene.

A mere 36 minutes for a unique concentration of great music, all extraordinary pieces; the guitar, bass, and drums are incredible, ranging from hard rock to progressive.

The guitar is superb, even on this album without overpowering the others; the bass is gigantic, perfect despite the great complexity. The drums, needless to say, are exceptional.

Practical advice: this album is definitely worth listening to at full volume.

Advice on the consequences of practical advice: I hope you have good headphones because this album could cause arguments within the condominium and in some cases within families. :)

Powerful with the beautiful Circumstances and The Trees, sumptuous with La Villa Strangiato, and absolutely unstoppable with Cygnus X-5.

Its complex nature and Rush's distinctive sound have cemented its status as a masterpiece and make it a classic that should not be missing from any prog rock collection.

Masterpiece. A must-have.

Tracks
1. Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres (18:04):
- i. Prelude (4:27)
- ii. Apollo / III Dionysus (4:36)
- iv. Armageddon (2:55)
- v. Cygnus (5:01)
- vi. The Sphere (1:02)
2. Circumstances (3:40)
3. The Trees (4:42)
4. La Villa Strangiato (9:35):
- Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!
- To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...
- Strangiato Theme
- A Lerxst in Wonderland
- Monsters!
- The Ghost of the Aragon
- Danforth and Pape
- The Waltz of the Shreves
- Never Turn Your Back on a Monster
- Monsters! (reprise)
- Strangiato Theme (reprise)
- A Farewell to Things
Running Time: 36:01

Line-Up
- Alex Lifeson - guitars (electric and acoustic, 6- and 12-string, classical, Roland synthesizer), bass pedals
- Geddy Lee - bass, Taurus bass pedals, Minimoog, Oberheim polyphonic synthesizer, vocals
- Neil Peart - drums, orchestral chimes, wind chimes, timpani, gongs, rattlesnakes, percussion
Featuring:
- Terry Brown - co-arranger and co-producer