HEMISPHERES

"With the heart and mind united in a single perfect sphere."

In my teen years I would have awarded Hemispheres 5-stars along with most of the Rush and Zeppelin albums I was obsessed with then. Since then I've heard so many hundreds of other great bands and musicians that I am a little less captive to the bands that once owned my soul!

"Cygnus 2" is certainly a respectable "epic" and I admire the spirit both musically and lyrically that they were reaching for. I definitely prefer this to 2112 as epics go.

"Circumstances" is a smokin' Rush classic in the vein of "Anthem" and it just plain kicks. It's all about the tight riff and I still love it. Perfect.

"The Trees" is my least favorite offering here. I find it pretty tiring to listen to now and while I find Neil to be a great lyricist I take exception when he delves too deeply into the Randian worship.

"La Villa" may be an "exercise in self-indulgence" as the band claims but it is an enjoyable one. Alex burns it up throughout this track and the song reminds me of Xanadu in the way it builds and constructs with drama. One of Rush's very best moments and a 5-star song.

Essential to Rush fans and recommended for 70s hard rock fans and guitar lovers.