Track Listing

1. Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres
2. Circumstances
3. The Trees
4. La Villa Strangiato

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5897 in Music
• Released on: 1997-07-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 36 minutes

CD Description
Rush began life as a power trio in the Led Zeppelin/heavy rock mode. Over the years the band refined their musical vision as they gained both instrumental and conceptual facility.1978's HEMISPHERES marks their transition from heavy riff-mongers to full blown art-rockers. Lee, Lifeson and Peart employ a number of tricks from the prog-rock bag here; (very) extended songs, multi-part suites, long instrumental passages, rapidly shifting tempos and time signatures, complicated unison riffs and synthesizer orchestrations. It's to Rush's credit that these elements enhance their sound instead of obscuring it. In fact, "La Villa Strangiato" would become one of the band's best-loved '70s efforts and a long-standing concert favourite.

Customer Reviews

Rush take the listener to a higher level
Unrated, unknown to most - loved by those who got in on the act and knew then before the prog-rock concept became a dirty word, Rush have stood the test of time. Originally influenced by Led Zep - indeed they stared out doing covers of the band - Rush quickly forged their own style, and mightily expanded it with every release. Rush fans meet somewhere near the dividing line of those who swear the releases of the 1990s are more refined than their huge volume of earlier prog work. I have every release - but I would place myself in the latter of those two camps. Hemispheres did the impossible by even rising above the barely comparable 2112 epic and Farewell to Kings and proved that the concept album isn't an endless track but a story with chapters, which here have a magical quality. Side One continues where Farewell to Kings left off with Cygnus X-1, mixing sci-fi with ancient (Greek) legend. Putting aside the group's technical brilliance with key and time changes aplenty as well as Lifeson's fantastic arpeggios the lyrics provide food for thought dealing with such issues as the 'battle for heart and mind' as tribal conflict muscles in on human existence. A review in the USA unfairly denounced the "lofty lyrics" which "sometimes bordered on the ridiculous". But compare this with the output of your local radio station. The end of the first side, Sphere, contains wonderful if idealistic sentiment. Side two opens with Circumstances, containing an instrumental interlude which conjures for me a warm image of standing enjoying the atmosphere of a pre-Christmas market, a cup of hot gluhwein in hand. Trees is Orwell's Animal Farm set to music - lovely percussion from Peart - while La Villa Strangiato really is 'an exercise in self-indulgence' - a nine-minute instrumental. But Lifeson can play classical guitar for nine hours when I'm around. Rush are to be admired for trying a new direction post-Signals - but with Hemispheres they took the listener to a higher level.

A (if not THE) defining Rush album
In an era when radio meant chart material and, worse still, dancey-dancey stuff, (has anything changed?) we outcasts discovered new music mainly by personal recommendation and live concerts. One cold, dark night in 1978, one of my regular partners-in-crime turned up on the doorstep with another guy in tow, clutching something in the customary LP sized carrier bag. Introductions over, the newcomer reverendly placed the copy of Rush's new Hemispheres album on the turntable (he wouldn't let anyone else touch it) and we settled back for a listen.

Although I was aware of Rush and had heard a few tracks, I'd never given them my full attention - that was about to change. Before even 15 minutes had elapsed I realised I was in the presence of true genius - one of the finest bands on the planet. That opinion remains unchanged over 25 years later and I still regard Hemispheres as one of the all time classic albums, I can never go too long without playing it and the music still sounds as fresh and invigorating as ever.

La Ville Strangiato - wow!

The Best Rush Record
Definitely my favourite Rush album, Hemispheres is absolutely epic. The album contains the concert classic 'The Trees,' a truly fantastic song, I dare you to listen to this without singing it in your head for weeks afterward!
As if that wasn't enough, it also contains 'La Villa Strangiato,' a stone cold classic beloved by all Rush fans; the multi part instrumental influences as far as Coheed and Cambria, The Mars Volta, Tool and even Mastodon.
The least know song on here, 'Circumstances,' is still great, catchy and memorable, even if at times it seems to be ignored or overlooked.
The reason to buy this however, is for the (almost) title track 'Cygnus X-1, Book 2: Hemispheres,' which in my opinion is one of the greatest songs ever written. There is argument as to whether it is better than 'Cygnus X-1, Book 1,' or even the '2112,' suite but I feel it beats both (if only by a whisker as both are undeniable classics.)
The haunting segment `I Have memory an awareness but I have no shape or form...I have passed on to Olympus,' will send a chill down your spine.
The lyrics are fantastic; the music is furious, mind bending prog-metal... with heroic guitar solos, great synths and one of the worlds greatest drummers. To top it all off, Geddy Lee the bassist/singer puts down the performance of his life, as I've already said, its one of the greatest songs ever written.
To summarise, this is the best Rush album there is, and possibly one of the greatest albums their is. Standing proud beside classics like 'Dark Side of the Moon,' 'In the Court of the Crimson King,' and 'Close to the Edge,' you cant go wrong with Hemispheres. Buy Now