HEMISPHERES

This is where it really starts! It was with the release of this album that Rush really got it together and became not just great but truly great. 2112 was excellent, AFTK was better, but this is absolutely essential.

Cygnus X-1 Book II is a musical masterpiece. Its different parts fit beautifully into a seamlessly crafted whole. Messers Lee, Lifeson and Peart display astonishing ability with their individual instruments. Lifeson's guitar work is flawless and drenched with feeling, soaring and diving as each part requires. Geddy Lee's voice is intense, dramatic, mellow, soulful and his bass playing sublime. And as for the Professor and his drum playing - there is no one else like him, some come close but I have never heard nor seen anyone better. And now they are also using synths to dynamic effect as well!

Circumstances is a straightforward, by Rush's stellar standard, rocker which gets the blood pumping every time. The Trees is brilliant too from Alex Lifeson's delicately plucked intro to its shattering conclusion. La Villa Strangiato is nothing short of amazing - this is one of best prog instrumentals ever - and Lee, Lifeson and Peart are the very definition of tight when performing it. I still don't know how they manage to recreate it so well live.

So, in short: essential; a must have; not to be missed!