{"product_id":"rush-hemispheres","title":"Rush – Hemispheres","description":"\u003ch4 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRush – Hemispheres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased in 1978, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHemispheres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is one of Rush’s defining progressive rock albums, capturing the Canadian trio at the height of their most ambitious and technically adventurous period. Featuring Geddy Lee on bass, keyboards and vocals, Alex Lifeson on guitar, and Neil Peart on drums and lyrics, the record combines complex arrangements, shifting time signatures, intricate instrumental passages and conceptual storytelling into a tightly integrated musical statement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the expansive explorations of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Farewell to Kings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHemispheres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e continues the narrative introduced on that album with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCygnus X-1 Book II – Hemispheres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This ambitious, six-part composition runs for approximately 18 minutes, drawing on classical mythology to explore the tension between reason and emotion, intellect and instinct. Apollo, representing wisdom, and Dionysus, representing love, embody opposing approaches to human existence before the story develops towards the figure of Cygnus, the bringer of balance. The piece showcases Rush’s ability to combine elaborate conceptual themes with powerful guitar riffs, shifting rhythms, atmospheric keyboards and Peart’s precision-driven drumming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe album’s second side balances this extended suite with three contrasting compositions. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCircumstances\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a compact, energetic piece that reflects the band’s increasingly sophisticated songwriting, while \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Trees\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e uses an allegorical tale of competing trees in a forest to explore conflict and the struggle for equality. Its memorable guitar work and distinctive lyrical premise have made it one of Rush’s enduring songs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe instrumental centrepiece, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLa Villa Strangiato (An Exercise In Self-Indulgence)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is particularly rewarding for fans of progressive rock guitar and intricate ensemble playing. Inspired by Alex Lifeson’s dreams and nightmares, the composition unfolds through twelve named sections, moving between intricate guitar passages, changing rhythmic patterns, playful musical ideas and more expansive instrumental arrangements. With no lead vocals, the track places the spotlight firmly on the trio’s collective musicianship and remains one of their most celebrated instrumental performances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecorded in Wales and London during 1978 and produced by Rush with Terry Brown, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHemispheres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e reflects the band’s commitment to creating carefully constructed albums rather than simply assembling a collection of songs. Its combination of conceptual ambition, virtuoso performances and tightly controlled arrangements places it firmly within the classic era of late-1970s progressive rock.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor collectors and listeners drawn to sophisticated guitar-driven rock, complex compositions and albums that reward repeated listening, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHemispheres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an essential chapter in Rush’s catalogue. It captures a band pushing the boundaries of its sound while retaining the power, precision and distinctive identity that made the trio one of progressive rock’s most influential acts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTracklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide A\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCygnus X-1 Book II - Hemispheres (18:07)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA1. Prelude (4:30)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA2. Apollo (Bringer Of Wisdom) \/ Dionysus (Bringer Of Love) (4:36)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA3. Armageddon (The Battle Of Heart And Mind) (2:52)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA4. Cygnus (Bringer Of Balance) (5:00)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA5. The Sphere (A Kind Of Dream) (1:09)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSide B\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB1. Circumstances (3:42)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB2. The Trees (4:46)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLa Villa Strangiato (An Exercise In Self-Indulgence) (9:36)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-i. Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-ii. To Sleep, Perchance To Dream...\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-iii. Strangiato Theme\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-iv. A Lerxst In Wonderland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-v. Monsters!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-vi. The Ghost Of The Aragon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-vii. Danforth And Pape\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-viii. The Waltz Of The Shreves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-ix. Never Turn Your Back On A Monster!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-x. Monsters! (Reprise)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-xi. Strangiato Theme (Reprise)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eB3-xii. A Farewell To Things\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J0zN0VjA3As?si=Nd-q9i6RlQJ05J7f\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mercury Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55993185304918,"sku":"9100 059","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/1013\/7686\/files\/1000099557.jpg?v=1792758134","url":"https:\/\/www.sounds-grounds.co.uk\/products\/rush-hemispheres","provider":"Sounds + Grounds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}