Friday, September 23, 2016

CD Odyssey Disc 917: Rush

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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