HEMISPHERES

With their 6th album Rush went full on experimentation and did what all good bands do at one point, took things a bit too far. That being said, it is still a great album that might as well be released along side A Farewell to Kings as a double album. They sound familiar but with the sequel to Cygnus X-1 in Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres (properly spelled) that they felt they could make the most complicated album and song to date in this album and they delivered. It is a great song start to finish that i could listen to over and over because of the fantastic musicianship from all 3 guys and the beautiful and almost philosophical lyrics from Neil. great first side of the record. Side 2 kicks off with Circumstances which is a short rocker that works for what it is and in some ways could be a sequel to Fly By Night because they share similarities in the lyrics. The Trees is a classic Rush song that to me symbolizes the band in their late 70s era. Starts out mellow then just goes almost metal for a while and just musically hits you in the face for a few minutes then slows down but picks back up again. Great song about Trees fighting. The last song, La Villa Strangiato, they chose to do their first instrumental piece and this song is arguably the best on this album. It goes through so many changes and ups and downs in just 9 short minutes I have to listen to it a second time and a third time to find out what the heck is going on. Overall, great album but you felt Rush was pushing themselves a little too much. 5 starts. Highlights: Cyngus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres, The Trees and La Villa Strangiato.