HEMISPHERES

RUSH's Hemispheres is the second installment in the bands "Mid-Era Progressive" phase. These albums include: A Farewell to Kings (1977), Hemispheres (1978), Permanent Waves (1980), Moving Pictures (1981) and Exit.Stage Left "Live" (1981)

Hemispheres continues on with RUSH's new progressive hard rock style. It's only got four songs on it, but that's because the first side of the album was dominated by the six-part epic Cygnus X-1 - Book II, which was a continuation of Cygnus X-1 (Book I) off the A Farewell to Kings album. Book II clocks in at 18:04. Next up is Circumstances, which, in my opinion, is the last in a long line of "classic" Rush songs. A more or less straight-ahead rocker with a few progressive bits thrown in. It's got that older "heavy" feel to it. Clear bass-lines and guitar work, before a dominance of keyboard sounds began to muddy up the soundscape. Also included is the classic The Trees, and Rush's first instrumental, La Villa Strangiato, which Rush themselves call "an exercise in self-indulgence".

If you are a fan of RUSH's most progressive offerings, then this is one album you'll have pick up. Even if you like the band because you are into Hard Rock, you will probably like this one.