HEMISPHERES

This being my first Progarchives review, I wanted to choose an album that encompasses everything I love about this genre of music. With so many excellent albums to choose from, this is one of few albums that I can consistently listen to an 18+ minute epic track. Being a recent Prog enthusiast, I have found it difficult on many albums to enjoy every facet of such lengthy, attention required sit throughs. But that is what I love about Prog. Once you invest the time and interest to these side length epic songs, you realize what Prog is and how it can contain music that grabs you and never lets go. The intros and the middle gold...Prog defined. Enter Rush Hemispheres. My first foray into Rush was back when Chronicles came out. Chronicles, being a greatest hits, does a fantastic job of opening the doors to their complete catalog. Only when I placed all the songs from Chronicles to their respective albums did I realize that Hemispheres was needing attention. The Trees is what grabbed me initially. The Trees has such an interesting story line, great instrumentals, and a Geddy Lee conviction that they do indeed have the right to more light. La Villa Strangiato is an instrumental piece. Had this song contained lyrics it would certainly rock, however, the instruments sing by themselves. Circumstances is the token shorter rocker tune that is certainly part of my revolving life playlist. But in the end, the true gem here is Cygnus X-1 Book 2. If someone were to ask me what Prog is and how it is better than all other music genres I would play them this wonderful song. The facet that seperates this epic track from all other epic tracks is that there is not an ounce of filler. When devoting time and energy to other such lengthy sessions, there is often times a loss of the grand focus and big picture, until it hits its stride and gets back on track...the inner gold. Cygnus never loses that focus. With each passing minute, the excitement is grander and the tingles get heavier. This song is a mind blower. Tranforming from one beautiful segment into a wonderous new segment that makes one ponder how Rush was able to accomplish such a task. If you are a recent Proghead, listen to this album...the rest will fall into place. This is an essential component to any enthusiast library and deserves a place at the head of that class. Once you hear it...there is no turning back.