HEMISPHERES

"Hemispheres" kicked off the trilogy of records that made Rush the fittest progressive rock band of the late '70s, later completed by the equally excellent "Permanent Waves" and "Moving Pictures."

However, this "Hemispheres" had not yet undergone the sound modernization that the band developed in "Permanent Waves", so we have Geddy singing with an extremely high-pitched voice, and a very seventies sound in general.

However, on a compositional and instrumental level the album is almost flawless, with very few weak points, and as such it receives the excellent score it deserves.

Best Tracks: as always happened in the 70's before "Permanent Waves", the longer tracks are also the best. So Cygnus X-1 and specially La Villa Strangiato, are the album's most brilliant tracks. But I have to say that I also love the intricate instrumental part of The Trees, being Circumstances the weakest point in "Hemispheres".

My Rating: ****