HEMISPHERES

Not quite up there with a Farewell to Kings, astill a good album but it some of it feels like Rush was going through the motions a little with the twenty minute piece, that doesn't mean its a bad album, trees and La Villa Strangiato was one of the reasons why I'm now studying music at unversity. The trouble is Circumstances itsn't quite up to Rush's high standards it feels a little like filler musically, but the lyrics are excellent and are worth investigating. The Trees is a great inspired tune full of passion, with a great Genesis sounding instrumental that reminds me of the song Cinema Show. La Villa Strangiato is a brilliant instrumental full of diverse ideas a great ending to the album, I think I prefer it to their more well known one YYZ. The epic is good and worth listening to, but lacks the darkness of Cygnus part 1 (this is the sequel), but it still got great ideas and a good listen just not up there with Supper's Ready. It has a nice acoustric ending and throughout plenty of drama in it, Lifeson plays some in this great style but to me it sounds like the band gets a little lost half way through the song. But still positive and uplifting musiclike you expect Rush to be. Definately worthwhile, a great album, just not quita as inspired as A Farewell to Kings. Why am I harsh you may ask, because I consider Rush a top tier band and therefore I have very high expectations and get a little mean in my reviews with the giants of prog . Worth your while. 4.5 stars