HEMISPHERES

Hemispheres is probably my second favorite Rush album. Or is it third? Anyway, Hemispheres is part two of the Cygnus X-1 duology. Let us continue from where we left off. A tense ending to the words of Neil Peart! Oh right, this isn't a book review site :O.

The first song of this album, which takes a full side, is called Cygnus X-1 Book II. Book I was in the previous album, A Farewell To Kings, so Rush could sell more albums. The track is full of energy, with furious guitar solos and unbelievably awesome drum-banging, yet, soft and mellow melodies by our beloved frontman Geddy Lee, and nice simple Ride-based drum beats. The second track on this album, Circumstances, is fairly short, single-length, to be honest. This song has a catchy riff, and a nice feel to the song, overall. The Trees is the real classic out of this album. The young ones know it through Rock Band, the old ones know it through friends, it really is a popular song! This song is based on a comic Neil Peart once read (irony), and really showcases Neil Peart's drumming skills. The final track on this album, La Villa Strangiato, is an acoustic guitar-based, 10 minute song. The band decided to put in some humor into this one, with all the jazzy influences and the ridiculous amount of sections, not to mention the names.

Hemispheres is ESSENTIAL, to any prog fan.