I had the day off today and I took
advantage of it by sleeping in and then doing some chores. I went to the music
store as well but nothing grabbed me and I left empty handed.
My teeth still ache from Wednesday’s
dental surgery, but not as bad as I expected. As I was writing this blog entry,
my dentist called to see how I was recovering. Needless to say this was above
and beyond the call of duty so a tip of the hat to Dr. Grady O’Neill.
And now we return you to regular
music review scheduling, and my first Rush review in almost two years.
Disc 917 is….Hemispheres
Artist: Rush
Year of Release: 1978
What’s up with the Cover? Walking upon the surface of the brain
are a businessman and a naked dancer. The ego and the id, perhaps? John Steed
and Mikail Baryishnikov? We don’t know. What we do know that this is one of
rock music’s worst album covers ever. Just put a dragon and a castle like every
other prog band, Rush!
How I Came To Know It: When Rush issued remastered
editions of their classic albums it seemed like a good time to catch up on some
of the albums I was missing. “Hemispheres” was one of them.
How It Stacks Up: I have 19 Rush albums, which is all of them
except their 2004 cover album, “Feedback.” “Hemispheres” isn’t my favourite,
but there is no denying its greatness. I put it 7th, just behind “Fly by Night”
and just in front of “Farewell to Kings.”
Ratings: 4 stars
“Hemispheres”
is Rush at their proggiest. After this record they had to take a step back and
simplify with 1980’s “Permanent Waves.” Going any further down the
progressive rabbit-hole would have been the musical equivalent of gazing upon
mighty Cthulhu. Their minds (and our ears) would have exploded.
It is a
testament to Rush’s greatness that they can make music this complex and
ambitious and it is still not only listenable, but enjoyable and inspiring.
The
record only has four songs and like “2112” before it, the first side is
consumed by a single track, “Cygnus X-1
Book II”. (Rush devotees will know that Book I appears on the end of the
preceding record, “Farewell to Kings.” Book II is about how we need both
logical thought (represented by Apollo) and emotional inspiration (represented
by Dionysus) in order to be whole. I have two tattoos representing this
concept, so it has long appealed to me.
The song
itself is not for the faint of heart. Over 18 minutes long, it ranges through a
variety of movements that demands your attention and quickly loses you if you
don’t provide it. It makes this album a good one for lying down and listening
to, but not that great in the background while you do something else.
Side Two
has three songs of more temperate length, and because of this they are easier
to wrap your ear around. The best of these is “Circumstances” which is a pretty kick ass rock song, thick and grounded
in the world’s greatest rhythm section, with a crazy little detour into
keyboard about two-thirds of the way through to cleanse your palate.
This is
followed by “The Trees” which has the
feel of a medieval folksong at the beginning, before cascading into full rock glory
a couple of bars in. The song explores the concept of equality through an
imaginary conflict between two types of trees, the Maples and the Oaks. The
song is unlike a lot of other rock songs, in that it is a dissertation on the
dangers of revolution, rather than a call to it. It has a distinct
anti-communist flair to it as well which is notable given the album’s release
date.
The
final song is the nine and half minute instrumental “La Villa Strangiato.” This is an inspired track, exploring multiple
musical themes while stitching them together seamlessly. The song also features
some of the greatest guitar work by Alex Lifeson you will ever hear. Lifeson
conducts a clinic on how a solo is supposed to work, exploring a theme with
grace and power but never falling into a pointless noodle. After a record
filled with complex imagery and thoughtful themes, “La Villa Strangiato” is a balm for the mind. It brings your logical
appreciation for song construction and your emotional reaction to great music
together, just as Cygnus X-1 intended all along.
This is
not a record for everyone, and for the most part only lovers of seventies
progressive rock will fully appreciate it. However if that’s you, “Hemispheres”
is a must-have.
Best
tracks: Circumstances,
The Trees, La Villa Strangiato
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