Rush - Hemispheres (1978) [Audio Fidelity 2013] PS3 ISO + DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Hemispheres is the sixth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, originally released in October 1978 by Anthem Records. As with the band's previous studio album, Hemispheres was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire and Trident Studios in London with longtime engineer and arranger, Terry Brown. Rush continued its progressive rock sound with the side-long "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres" and the nine-minute instrumental "La Villa Strangiato". Hemispheres received acclaim from music critics. It reached number 14 in Canada and the UK, and number 41 in the United States. In 1993, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA for selling one million copies.

While such albums as 1980's Permanent Waves and 1981's Moving Pictures are usually considered Rush's masterpieces (and with good reason), 1978's Hemispheres is just as deserving. Maybe the fact that the album consists of only four compositions (half are lengthy pieces) was a bit too intimidating for some, but the near 20-minute-long "Cygnus X-1 Book II - Hemispheres" is arguably the band's finest extended track. While the story line isn't as comprehensible as "2112" was, it's much more consistent musically, twisting and turning through five different sections which contrast heavy rock sections against more sedate pieces. Neil Peart had become one of rock's most accomplished lyricists by this point, as evidenced by "The Trees," which deals with racism and inequality in a unique way (set in a forest!). And as always, the trio prove to be experts at their instruments, this time on the complex instrumental "La Villa Strangiato." Geddy Lee's shrieking vocals on the otherwise solid "Circumstances" may border on the irritating, but Hemispheres remains one of Rush's greatest releases.

Tracklist:

01. Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres
I. Prelude
II. Apollo (Bringer of Wisdom)
III. Dionysus (Bringer of Love)
IV. Armageddon (The Battle of Heart and Mind)
V. Cygnus (Bringer of Balance)
VI. The Sphere (A Kind of Dream)

02. Circumstances
03. The Trees

04. La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence)
I. Buenas Noches, Mein Froinds!
II. To Sleep, Perchance to Dream…
III. Strangiato Theme - 2:00
IV. A Lerxst in Wonderland
V. Monsters!
VI. The Ghost of the Aragon
VII. Danforth and Pape
VIII. The Waltz of the Shreves
IX. Never Turn Your Back on a Monster!
X. Monsters! (Reprise)
XI. Strangiato Theme (Reprise)
XII. A Farewell to Things

Mastered for this SACD by Kevin Grey at Cohearent Audio.


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