newWorld
09-27-2004, 06:34 PM
Overview: Hemispheres is Rush's 6th album, and was released in 1978. It features Geddy Lee on bass and synths, Alex Lifeson on guitar and synths, and Niel Peart on drums.
1. Hemispheres (18:05)
I. Prelude
II. Apollo
III. Dionysys
IV. Armageddon
V. Cygnus
VI. The Sphere
This song is broken up into 6 movements but I will review it as a whole using the movements as mere reference. The easiest way to describe the intro to this song is rock jazz. Synths, distorted guitar with dissonance, and odd timing. It sucks you into awesomeness. Apollo and Dionysys are basically the same songs with different lyrics. The sections begin with the themes from Prelude and then pick up into catchiness. Armageddon is simply amazing, with the wacky melodic bass Geddy Lee is famous for. Then it picks up into a verse and breaks off into ambience. Cygnus begins ambient and somewhat freeform. Then It picks up to the original themes from Apollo. The song builds up once again. The song ends with an acoustic verse that acts as a conclusion or epilogue. This is one of Rush's best songs, in my opinion. It has influences of Yes in structure and some vocals. The lyrics sound somewhat like Genesis, and the guitar is like Page and Howe put together. The mythological lyrics are sometimes overwhelming, but the rock-awesomeness of the music transcends it. I kinda wished they extended this song a bit more, because it could use a longer instrumental part in the middle. Still.... 8.5/10
2) Circumstances (3:41)
Although I have never heard this song on the radio, it sounds like a typical radio song. It is rockin', they make it interesting with odd timing and french lyrics, but it is nothing too special. The little instrumental in the middle is cool though. 6/10
3) The Trees (4:46)
I love this song. It is about the struggle between the Oaks and Maples in a forest. The classical guitar in the begining is beautifully done. the verse is rockin. But the instrument part with tempo blocks, synth, and wicked bass lines rocks. I love it. 9/10
4) La Villa Strangiato (9:36)
I. Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds! (:27)
II. To sleep, perchance to dream ... (1:33)
III. Strangiato Theme (1:16)
IV. A Lerxst in Wonderland (2:27)
V. Monsters! (:26)
VI. The Ghost of the Aragon (:36)
VII. Danforth and Pape (1:41)
VIII. The Waltz of the Shreves (:26)
IX. Never turn your back on a Monster! (:11)
X. Monsters! (Reprise) (:14)
XI. Strangiato Theme (Reprise) (1:04)
XII. A Farewell to Things (:15)
This instrumental is, in my opinion, Rush's finest. They go all out. "Lerxst in Wonderland" is probably one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. And all the themes flow together so well. You have to hear this song to believe its brilliance. 9.5/10
Over all: My favourite Rush album. I highly recommend it. 9/10
1. Hemispheres (18:05)
I. Prelude
II. Apollo
III. Dionysys
IV. Armageddon
V. Cygnus
VI. The Sphere
This song is broken up into 6 movements but I will review it as a whole using the movements as mere reference. The easiest way to describe the intro to this song is rock jazz. Synths, distorted guitar with dissonance, and odd timing. It sucks you into awesomeness. Apollo and Dionysys are basically the same songs with different lyrics. The sections begin with the themes from Prelude and then pick up into catchiness. Armageddon is simply amazing, with the wacky melodic bass Geddy Lee is famous for. Then it picks up into a verse and breaks off into ambience. Cygnus begins ambient and somewhat freeform. Then It picks up to the original themes from Apollo. The song builds up once again. The song ends with an acoustic verse that acts as a conclusion or epilogue. This is one of Rush's best songs, in my opinion. It has influences of Yes in structure and some vocals. The lyrics sound somewhat like Genesis, and the guitar is like Page and Howe put together. The mythological lyrics are sometimes overwhelming, but the rock-awesomeness of the music transcends it. I kinda wished they extended this song a bit more, because it could use a longer instrumental part in the middle. Still.... 8.5/10
2) Circumstances (3:41)
Although I have never heard this song on the radio, it sounds like a typical radio song. It is rockin', they make it interesting with odd timing and french lyrics, but it is nothing too special. The little instrumental in the middle is cool though. 6/10
3) The Trees (4:46)
I love this song. It is about the struggle between the Oaks and Maples in a forest. The classical guitar in the begining is beautifully done. the verse is rockin. But the instrument part with tempo blocks, synth, and wicked bass lines rocks. I love it. 9/10
4) La Villa Strangiato (9:36)
I. Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds! (:27)
II. To sleep, perchance to dream ... (1:33)
III. Strangiato Theme (1:16)
IV. A Lerxst in Wonderland (2:27)
V. Monsters! (:26)
VI. The Ghost of the Aragon (:36)
VII. Danforth and Pape (1:41)
VIII. The Waltz of the Shreves (:26)
IX. Never turn your back on a Monster! (:11)
X. Monsters! (Reprise) (:14)
XI. Strangiato Theme (Reprise) (1:04)
XII. A Farewell to Things (:15)
This instrumental is, in my opinion, Rush's finest. They go all out. "Lerxst in Wonderland" is probably one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. And all the themes flow together so well. You have to hear this song to believe its brilliance. 9.5/10
Over all: My favourite Rush album. I highly recommend it. 9/10