Hemispheres - Rush (Cassette 1987)

With the release of a new Rush song today, and the pending release of their new album on May 1st, 2007 I have been revisiting some of my favorite Rush Albums.

Being a huge Rush fan, I have all of their albums. On the balance of it, Hemisphere s is probably their best. It is a quality album that epitomizes their skills in both musical terms and story telling terms. This is a masterful album that show Rush (and progressive rock) at its best. Perhaps musically more rounded than 2112, which had a couple of weak songs, the album is a very strong example of what Rush are all about.

In the album A Farewell to Kings , we were treated to Rocnante s voyage into a black hole Cygnus X-1. This established Rush s early style of storytelling, while producing multi-part songs that vary in tempo and feel. Cygnus X-1: Book II: Hemispheres while not quite following on from the original story, does have links to the original song. This time it is a mythical passage that moves through a six part song, each with their own distinct sound and feel. With hard rock and quiet ballads, and an interesting story, you are pulled in by Neil Peart s lyrics, and Alex Lifeson s profound guitar skills. Geddy Leigh is sublime as usual on bass, and his voice, which has matured from the early Rush scream is compelling. With an intensive feel at times, the story is very futuristic and scientific at times. As a whole, this is one of the best Rush songs available, as it shows of the musical expertise as well as the amazing story telling abilities of Peart. I would have bought this album for this song alone.

Circumstances changes the intensity of the album, moving into a more light mood as the short song raises the tempo, and becomes more retrospective, and introspective (more akin to earlier Rush). Listening to the lyrics, while pondering the almost fun sound of the song, you find yourself thinking deeply about Peart s view of life. The Trees, the next song on the album teases you at first with a soft ballad beginning. The lyrics draw you in to a world of fear and hatred:

There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble in the trees
For the Maples want more sunlight
And the Oaks ignore their please

After this sublime opening, with its many metaphors, we are plunged into a classic Rush hard rock song, that metaphorically questions equality, and how one looks after ones own interest, disregarding the needs of others. This is another thought provoking song, that establishes the quality of Rush.La Villa Strangiato - An Exercise in Self-Indulgence , the final track on the album, is a fully instrumental song that is almost unplanned in its sound. It starts out quietly, but builds in tempo and energy as it moves along. While listening, you almost forget that there are no lyrics in the song as you listen to the hard edge that is very prevalent in the song. This is a fine example of virtuosity in Rock and Roll.
As the drums and guitars become quiet, and the album comes to a close, you are left with a satisfied feeling, having listened to a quality album that has many different nuances. This is a must for any Rush fan, but is well placed in any rock fans collection.