|
|
|
|
|
Hemispheres (1978 Album) Hemispheres is the sixth studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1978 (see 1978 in music). The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales. This album continues Rush's trend of using the fantasy and science fiction lyrics written by Neil Peart. Similar to their 1976 release, 2112, Hemispheres contains a single, epic song broken into chapters as the first half of the album (Cygnus X-1, Book II: Hemispheres) while the second half contains two more conventionally-executed tracks (Circumstances, The Trees), then is rounded out by an outstanding instrumental performance (La Villa Strangiato). Though science fiction is not present so much on this album, it does contain fantasy elements, notably those that relate to Greek mythology. Hemispheres is interesting in that it is partly a continuation of the last song on Rush's previous album, A Farewell to Kings (Cygnus X-1, Book I: The Voyage), in that the theme of Cygnus is revisited both lyrically and musically. However, the lyrical concepts used to continue the story on this album have shifted from that of science fiction to Greek mythology, which is represented in this case by the Apollo/Dionysus dichotomy. This mythology is a vehicle to explore yet another concept, one of pop psychology. More specifically, the differences between "left brain" and "right brain" thinking. And this is how we reach the title of "Hemispheres". The track "Circumstances" appears to be an autobiographical account on Peart's part, with references to the time he spent living in England before moving back to Canada and joining Rush. "The Trees" is one of Rush's more popular songs. Using fantasy-based lyrics, this song explores a simple theme of oppression. Peart has been quoted as saying that the lyrics for this song were inspired by a cartoon. "La Villa Stangiato" is a masterful instrumental, exhibiting the sheer musicianship of the band as a whole as well as each member individually. One particularly humorous riff in the song may pick at the listener's memory, though its origin may prove elusive for many people. It is in fact very similar to a song recorded by The Raymond Scott Quintette in 1936, entitled "Powerhouse". This song has been used extensively in various cartoons since the 1940s. No doubt this is where guitarist Alex Lifeson picked it up from. Hemispheres contains good examples of Rush's conformance to progressive rock standards include the use of epic, multi-movement song structures (actually their last album to do so), complex rhythms and time signatures, and flexible guitar solos, like those found in "La Villa Strangiato". Track listing - "Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres" - 18:05
- I: "Prelude" - (0:00)
- II: "Apollo Bringer of Wisdom" - (4:29)
- III: "Dionysus Bringer of Love" - (7:00)
- IV: "Armageddon The Battle of Heart and Mind" - (9:05)
- V: "Cygnus Bringer of Balance" - (12:00)
- VI: "The Sphere A Kind of Dream" - (17:02)
- "Circumstances" - 3:40
- "The Trees" - 4:46
- "La Villa Strangiato (An exercise in Self-Indulgence)" - 9:35
- I: "Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!" - (0:00)
- II: "To sleep, perchance to dream..." - (0:27)
- III: "Strangiato theme" - (2:00)
- IV: "A Lerxt in Wonderland" - (3:16)
- V: "Monsters!" - (5:49)
- VI: "The Ghost of the Aragon" - (6:10)
- VII: "Danforth and Pape" - (6:45)
- VIII: "The Waltz of the Shreves" - (7:26)
- IX: "Never turn your back on a Monster!" - (7:52)
- X: "Monsters (Reprise)" - (8:03)
- XI: "Strangiato theme (Reprise)" - (8:17)
- XII: "A Farewell to Things" - (9:20)
Personnel - Geddy Lee - bass guitars, vocals, Oberheim Polyphonic, Mini-Moog Synthesizers
- Alex Lifeson - electric and acoustic guitars
- Neil Peart - drums and percussion
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|