The Holy Trinity of prog rock finally gets their due—buckle up for 63 minutes of Canadian wizardry.
Hemispheres, Rush’s sixth studio album, was originally released in October 1978, and it built upon the adventurous sonic template the band established on its acclaimed 1977 effort, A Farewell To Kings. The album’s first track, “Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres,” encompassed the entirety of Side 1 on the original release and was the logical, heady continuation of the epic album-ending Kings track, “Cygnus X-1.” Side 2 commenced with the hard-driving commentary on English culture “Circumstances,” followed by the socially aware and environmentally conscious FM radio hit “The Trees,” and concluded with the instrumental tour de force and longtime concert favorite, “La Villa Strangiato.”
Sound
Geddy's voice hits frequencies only dogs and devoted fans love.
Practical Effects
La Villa Strangiato recorded in one take because they could.
Production
40th anniversary mix finally lets you hear Alex Lifeson's secret layers.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The band nearly broke up recording Hemispheres because the title track was so technically demanding to perform live.
This album cemented Rush as the patron saints of teenage boys who felt too smart for mainstream rock—an identity they've never shaken.
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