the strawberry bricks' album of the day

Album of the Day (241):
album cover

Rush - Hemispheres (October 1978)
Rush were riding high on the success of the previous two years when again they rolled into Rockfield Studio to record their sixth studio album. The album was the last in their progressive phase and featured no radio singles. The saga of "Cygnus X-1" from the previous year's album continued in epic proportion, picking up some Greek mythology along the way. "Apollo" and "Olympus" are highlights to the six parts that cover the first side of the album. It's a further refinement of Rush's sci-fi epics. Alex Lifeson's guitar tone is as unique as it is astounding, yet most surprising on Hemispheres is his restraint - guitar solos are few and far between. The second side comprises a few shorter songs. "Circumstances" contains their brand of heavy riffing, but the keyboard break is welcome. "The Trees" is excellent storytelling, also highlighting the band's versatility and arrangement skills; by now, the band had reached or surpassed their progressive mentors. "La Villa Strangiato" is a self described "exercise in self-indulgence". Breakneck and instrumental, the band let out all the stops, showcasing their exceptional virtuosity - no, they aren't kidding. The album was more successful in the UK, racking up to No. 14, while in the US it just broke the Top 50. This however would be rectified in early 1980, when Rush would perfect their formula for radio- friendly prog rock on the exceptional Permanent Waves album. Their success would continue, as Rush would become one of the most successful rock bands of the early 1980s.