_hi_water._ Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 This album is amazing. The end. okay, okay, okay... I'll talk more... This is often considered one of their best albums, and reasonably so. The production is still great, and the progginess is still awesome. Side A contains a nice 18-minute story, whereas Side B is about going for your dreams (and failing miserably) and socialism. Oh yeah, and it has arguably their best instrumental. The songs:Cygnus X-1: Book 2 - Hemispheres - one of their best songs. It rocks hard, and it has excellent prog.Circumstances - ahhh nothing to say much here. Excellent rocker.The Trees - sorry ST3V, but I think this song is a masterpiece. Just love it. And Neil tells a story about socialism with trees, because he thought it would be funny.La Villa Strangiato - it's not just an exercise in self-indulgence, it's a masterpiece. It starts with a mexican-styled piece, which is rare in rock music. Then it truly lifts into something that rocks hard, and sometimes feels moody. Easily their best instrumental IMO Ranking the albums so far:6. Rush5. Fly By Night4. Caress Of Steel3. 21122. A Farewell To Kings1. Hemispheres 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepphead Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 (edited) Rush were on a roll now .... one magnificent release followed next by another. As _hi_water._ rightly says, the prog side of Rush is still very evident in this piece of work. Ok then, track by track - - Cygnus X-1: Book 2 - Hemispheres. A continuation of the Cygnus tale started in AFTK and another magnificent complex piece.Most people prefer Book 2 over Book 1, which is fair enough as Rush were progressing at a fair rate by this stage. I have a soft spot for Book 1purely because it was the first. Having said all that, nothing should be taken away from this track - a masterpiece. - Circumstances. Not much to say really, a good strong rock song. No complaints from me. - The Trees. I loved this from the moment I heard it and I always will. There were complaints at the time from the (predominantly left wing) UK music pressabout the lyrical content, but to be honest, I had stopped listening to those tossers by then and ignored them. A Rush classic. - La Villa Strangiato. Another complex gem featuring great axe-work from Alex which would become a live favourite on and off for the rest of the band's career. Great way to end the album. As I write these few words I am struck by just how many great tracks are on this album. Despite AFTK being my favourite album, I have to rank Hemispheres higheron the basis of strength in depth. Therefore, rankings so far are - 6. Rush5. Caress of Steel4. Fly By Night3. 21122. A Farewell To Kings1. Hemispheres Edited August 5, 2020 by zepphead 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_hi_water._ Posted August 5, 2020 Author Share Posted August 5, 2020 Rush were on a roll now .... one magnificent release followed next by another. As _hi_water._ rightly says, the prog side of Rush is still very evident in this piece of work. Ok then, track by track - - Cygnus X-1: Book 2 - Hemispheres. A continuation of the Cygnus tale started in AFTK and another magnificent complex piece.Most people prefer Book 2 over Book 1, which is fair enough as Rush were progressing at a fair rate by this stage. I have a soft spot for Book 1purely because it was the first. Having said all that, nothing should be taken away from this track - a masterpiece. - Circumstances. Not much to say really, a good strong rock song. No complaints from me. - The Trees. I loved this from the moment I heard it and I always will. There were complaints at the time from the (predominantly left wing) UK music pressabout the lyrical content, but to be honest, I had stopped listening to those tossers by then and ignored them. A Rush classic. - La Villa Strangiato. Another complex gem featuring great axe-work from Alex which would become a live favourite on and off for the rest of the band's career. Great way to end the album. As I write these few words I am struck by just how many great tracks are on this album. Despite AFTK being my favourite album, I have to rank Hemispheres higheron the basis of strength in depth. Therefore, rankings so far are - 6. Rush5. Caress of Steel4. Fly By Night3. 21122. A Farewell To Kings1. Hemispheresoh, I was thinking AFTK was your favorite Rush album ever 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepphead Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 Rush were on a roll now .... one magnificent release followed next by another. As _hi_water._ rightly says, the prog side of Rush is still very evident in this piece of work. Ok then, track by track - - Cygnus X-1: Book 2 - Hemispheres. A continuation of the Cygnus tale started in AFTK and another magnificent complex piece.Most people prefer Book 2 over Book 1, which is fair enough as Rush were progressing at a fair rate by this stage. I have a soft spot for Book 1purely because it was the first. Having said all that, nothing should be taken away from this track - a masterpiece. - Circumstances. Not much to say really, a good strong rock song. No complaints from me. - The Trees. I loved this from the moment I heard it and I always will. There were complaints at the time from the (predominantly left wing) UK music pressabout the lyrical content, but to be honest, I had stopped listening to those tossers by then and ignored them. A Rush classic. - La Villa Strangiato. Another complex gem featuring great axe-work from Alex which would become a live favourite on and off for the rest of the band's career. Great way to end the album. As I write these few words I am struck by just how many great tracks are on this album. Despite AFTK being my favourite album, I have to rank Hemispheres higheron the basis of strength in depth. Therefore, rankings so far are - 6. Rush5. Caress of Steel4. Fly By Night3. 21122. A Farewell To Kings1. Hemispheresoh, I was thinking AFTK was your favorite Rush album everIt is ...... But I have tried to be more objective about these rankings, taking into consideration the consistent quality of the tracks and the musical progression of the band rather that just which one I like the best.AFTK will always be my favourite!!!!! ... I have too many personal and emotional ties to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_hi_water._ Posted August 5, 2020 Author Share Posted August 5, 2020 Rush were on a roll now .... one magnificent release followed next by another. As _hi_water._ rightly says, the prog side of Rush is still very evident in this piece of work. Ok then, track by track - - Cygnus X-1: Book 2 - Hemispheres. A continuation of the Cygnus tale started in AFTK and another magnificent complex piece.Most people prefer Book 2 over Book 1, which is fair enough as Rush were progressing at a fair rate by this stage. I have a soft spot for Book 1purely because it was the first. Having said all that, nothing should be taken away from this track - a masterpiece. - Circumstances. Not much to say really, a good strong rock song. No complaints from me. - The Trees. I loved this from the moment I heard it and I always will. There were complaints at the time from the (predominantly left wing) UK music pressabout the lyrical content, but to be honest, I had stopped listening to those tossers by then and ignored them. A Rush classic. - La Villa Strangiato. Another complex gem featuring great axe-work from Alex which would become a live favourite on and off for the rest of the band's career. Great way to end the album. As I write these few words I am struck by just how many great tracks are on this album. Despite AFTK being my favourite album, I have to rank Hemispheres higheron the basis of strength in depth. Therefore, rankings so far are - 6. Rush5. Caress of Steel4. Fly By Night3. 21122. A Farewell To Kings1. Hemispheresoh, I was thinking AFTK was your favorite Rush album everIt is ...... But I have tried to be more objective about these rankings, taking into consideration the consistent quality of the tracks and the musical progression of the band rather that just which one I like the best.AFTK will always be my favourite!!!!! ... I have too many personal and emotional ties to it.ah I see what you're doing (heh)... cheers m8 :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST3V Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 I just don't know what to say for Cygnus, its just so damn awesome. 2nd best Rush epic, super fun to play as well. And, well, I guess I can say the same for Circumstances. La Villa is not their best instrumental but don't get me wrong - I know masterful guitar work when I see it. And that's it, I've covered all the songs, right? :) Very high 7.5/10, A- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_hi_water._ Posted August 5, 2020 Author Share Posted August 5, 2020 I just don't know what to say for Cygnus, its just so damn awesome. 2nd best Rush epic, super fun to play as well. And, well, I guess I can say the same for Circumstances. La Villa is not their best instrumental but don't get me wrong - I know masterful guitar work when I see it. And that's it, I've covered all the songs, right? :) Very high 7.5/10, A-no, you forgot the tr-- oh nvm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangy Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 my favorite record of all time. not just by rush but over everything else recorded.................... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HemiBeers Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Awesomeness in only a tad over 36 minutes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangy Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Awesomeness in only a tad over 36 minutes. all killer, no filler and the coolest poster of rush of all time included for free............ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HemiBeers Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 This is the closest you'll get to live Hemispheres these days. Rocky nails the vocals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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