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Hemispheres
Studio album by Rush
Released	October 28, 1978
Recorded	June-August 1978 at Rockfield Studios in South Wales, UK
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	36:14
Label	Anthem Records (Canada) Mercury Records
Producer	Rush and Terry Brown
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Rush chronology
A Farewell to Kings (1977) Hemispheres (1978) Permanent Waves (1980)

Hemispheres is the sixth studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1978. The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Rush - Hemispheres album cover Used on Wikipedia under fair use guidelines: Low resolution copy of the album cover RedWolf 03:24, Mar 29, 2004 (UTC) This is an album cover. ... A studio album is a collection of previously unreleased, studio-recorded tracks by a recording artist. ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the country. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Anthem Records is an independent record label based in Toronto, Ontario. ... Mercury Records was a record label founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 by Irving Green, Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... Terry Brown may refer to: Terry Brown (record producer), record producer known most notably for his work with the Canadian rock bands Rush, Blue Rodeo, and Klaatu Terry Brown (football chairman), former chairman of West Ham United football club Terry Brown (football manager), manager of Aldershot Town football club Terry... The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music, owned by All Media Guide. ... Image File history File links 3_stars. ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... Rush (A Farewell to Kings) A Farewell to Kings is the fifth studio album by the Canadian band Rush, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music). ... Permanent Waves is the seventh studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released January 1, 1980 (see 1980 in music). ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... See also: 1970s in music. ... Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in South Wales and just outside the village of Rockfield, are where many of British rock music’s most successful recordings have been made. ... This article is about the country. ...

This album continues Rush's trend of using the fantasy and science fiction lyrics written by Neil Peart. Similar to their 1976 release, 2112, Hemispheres contains a single, epic song broken into chapters as the first half of the album (Cygnus X-1, Book II: Hemispheres) while the second half contains two more conventionally-executed tracks ("Circumstances", "The Trees"), then is rounded out by the nine-and-a-half-minute instrumental, "La Villa Strangiato". For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... Neil Ellwood Peart (IPA: ) OC, (born September 12, 1952 in Hagersville, Ontario) is a Canadian musician and author. ... For the year 2112, see 22nd century. ...

Side One: Hemispheres

Though science fiction elements are not as prevalent on this album as some previous Rush releases, it contains many fantasy elements, notably those that relate to Greek mythology. Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres is partly a continuation of the last song on Rush's previous album, A Farewell to Kings (Cygnus X-1, Book I: The Voyage), in that the theme of Cygnus is revisited both lyrically and musically. However, the lyrical concepts used to continue the story on this album have shifted from that of science fiction to Greek mythology, which is represented in this case by the Apollo/Dionysus dichotomy. This mythology is a vehicle to explore yet another concept, one of pop psychology: more specifically, the differences between "left brain" and "right brain" thinking, hence the title of "Hemispheres". But not just pop psychology; this theme was also the basis for Friedrich Nietzsche's book on art, The Birth of Tragedy From the Spirit of Music, in which Nietzsche marks the territory of the "plastic arts" in the name of Apollo, the god of Reason, and the "living" arts, like music, in the name of Dionysus, the god of wine. Peart's exploration of the theme differs from Nietzsche's in that Nietzsche decided in favor of Dionysus, while Peart called for a "balance" through his introduction of the Cygnus character (who may be the cosmic traveler who falls through the black hole in "Cygnus X-1," the piece that preceded "Hemispheres: Book II" on the previous album A Farewell to Kings.) This difference in interpretation may be attributed to the continuing influence of novelist-philosopher Ayn Rand, whose previous influence (specifically, the novella Anthem) was found in the lyrics to "Anthem" on Fly By Night and the storyline to the album 2112. The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the Ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. ... Rush (A Farewell to Kings) A Farewell to Kings is the fifth studio album by the Canadian band Rush, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music). ... For other uses, see Apollo (disambiguation). ... This article is about the ancient deity. ... Popular psychology refers to concepts and theories about human mental life and behaviour that come from outside the technical study of psychology, but purport to go beyond everyday knowledge. ... Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (October 15, 1844 – August 25, 1900) (IPA: ) was a 19th-century German philosopher. ... The Birth of Tragedy (Die Geburt der Tragödie aus dem Geiste der Musik, 1872) is a 19th Century work of philosophy by Friedrich Nietzsche. ... Ayn Rand (IPA: , February 2 [O.S. January 20] 1905 – March 6, 1982), born Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum (Russian: ), was a Russian-born American novelist and philosopher,[1] best known for developing Objectivism and for writing the novels We the Living, The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged and the novella Anthem. ... An anthem is a composition to an English religious text sung in the context of an Anglican service. ... Rush (1974) Fly by Night is the second studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in February 1975 (see 1975 in music). ... For the year 2112, see 22nd century. ...

Rand had written on the use of the Apollo and Dionysus archetypes in Nietzsche's work in her non-fiction work, specifically the essay "Apollo and Dionysus," which contrasted the events of Woodstock as an expression of Nietzschean "Dionysian" freedom, and the launch of Apollo 11 as an expression of the fruits of reason. Rand came out in support of Apollo, given the emphasis on reason in her philosophy of Objectivism. But it was not at the expense of emotion. While Nietzsche may have acknowledged the role of reason, Dionysus was seen as the stronger of the two. Rand, in her battle against false dichotomies, argues that BOTH were necessary and vital to human existence. In her words, "It is not true that reason and emotion are irreconcilable antagonistics or that emotions are a wild, unknowable, ineffable element in men." Thus, her fictional characters are shown to be integrated in their thoughts and feelings. Neil Peart may have been aware of this article, and in the book The Ayn Rand Cult by Jeff Walker, Peart is quoted in his view of the events of Woodstock and Apollo II as being mutually beneficial (notably, against the opinion of Rand, who was not a fan of Woodstock.) Peart is quoted as saying "There is no dichotomy." This view plays a large part in the theme of Hemispheres. Woodstock may refer to: Woodstock Music and Art Festival, a 1969 U.S. rock festival which inspired a 1970 Warner Bros. ... The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. ... Objectivism is a philosophy [1][2] developed by Ayn Rand that encompasses positions on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and aesthetics[3]. Objectivism holds that there is a mind-independent reality; that individuals are in contact with this reality through sensory perception; that humans gain objective knowledge from perception by measurement...

The story of the side-long suite "Cygnus X-1 - Book II" begins with an expository lyric stating the cause of the current situation in the story being the competition of the gods Apollo and Dionysus for the "fate of man." Apollo is first shown wooing the people with "truth and understanding, wit and wisdom fair" as "precious gifts beyond compare." The people delight in these gifts and commence to an "age of enlightenment," yet they feel something is missing, it has become an intellectual exercise divorced from human meaning. Dionysus enters the song at this stage with promises of "love" and suggests the people throw off the "chains of reason." The cities are abandoned and a Woodstock-like bacchanel commences, but the people, having abandoned reason, find themselves at the mercy of the elements. The people began to fight over the solution to their ills in an all-or-nothing approach (reason OR emotion). The world becomes divided into "sorry hemispheres" (hence the connection to the "pop" psychology of the right and left brain mythos.) Tales are told of a messianic "bringer of balance," who turns out to be the protagonist of the song "Cygnus X-1" from A Farewell to Kings ("Cygnus" being the constellation at which the hero enters the black hole, at which point the story was "to be continued," according to the liner notes of the album.) The character, as an outsider, has a "gods-eye" view of the battle, and from his vantage point, can see that which the people cannot, that they have divided themselves by a false dichotomy, astonishing the gods themselves, who recognize the wisdom of his view. The character becomes known as "Cygnus, the god of Balance." For other uses, see Apollo (disambiguation). ... This article is about the ancient deity. ... Location of the X-ray source Cygnus X-1, which is widely accepted to be a 10 solar mass black hole orbiting a blue giant star. ... Cygnus (Latin for swan) is a northern constellation. ... For other uses, see Black hole (disambiguation). ...

Side Two

The track "Circumstances" appears to be an autobiographical account on Peart's part, with references to the time he spent living in England before moving back to Canada and joining Rush.

"The Trees" is one of Rush's more popular songs. A fable told through fantasy lyrics, a forest suffers from the competition of tall oak trees and shorter maple trees for sunlight. In the end, no one wins as the "trees are all kept equal by hatchet, axe, and saw." The song's meaning is often debated by fans. Peart has been quoted as saying that the lyrics for this song were inspired by a cartoon and that the song has no deep meaning, but also has said that it is about collectivism. It also may be an allegorical fable of the problems of Peart's home country of Canada, the "Oaks" and "Maples" being symbolic of the divide between the ever-clashing French and English elements of that country. In a larger sense of disparity, the plight of the Maples being overshadowed by the Oaks can fit the situation of Canada (Maple Leaf country) living in the shadow of the neighboring United States (country of the Charter Oak, etc).^{[citation needed]} This article is about a community of trees. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus (from Latin oak tree), and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ... Distribution Species See List of Acer species Maples are trees or shrubs in the genus Acer. ... The Charter Oak on the Connecticut quarter The Charter Oak was an unusually large white oak tree growing, from around the 12th or 13th century until 1856, on what the English colonists named Wyllys Hill, in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. // Early history The Dutch explorer Adrian (or Adriaen) Block described, in...

"La Villa Strangiato" is an instrumental, exhibiting the musicianship of the band as a whole, as well as each member individually. One particularly humorous guitar riff in the song may pick at the listener's memory, though its origin may prove elusive for many people. It is in fact based upon a song composed by Raymond Scott in 1936, entitled Powerhouse. This song has been used extensively in various cartoons since the 1940s, no doubt where guitarist Alex Lifeson picked it up from. Raymond Scott, 1937 Raymond Scott (born Harry Warnow, September 10, 1908 – February 8, 1994), was an American composer, orchestra leader, pianist, engineer, recording studio maverick, and electronic instrument inventor. ... Sheet music cover, 1937 “Powerhouse” is a 1937 instrumental musical composition by Raymond Scott. ... Alex Lifeson OC (born Alexander Zivojinovich on August 27, 1953, in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada), is a Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist for the rock group Rush. ...

Hemispheres contains examples of Rush's adherence to progressive rock standards including the use of epic, multi-movement song structures, complex rhythms and time signatures, and flexible guitar solos, like those found in "La Villa Strangiato". For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... The time signature (also known as meter signature) is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each bar and what note value constitutes one beat. ...

Hemispheres was Rush's fourth consecutive Gold album upon release in 1978 and would subsequently go Platinum in the US.

The remastered CD edition contains a reproduction of the poster originally included with the album. When folded closed, the outside shows "Rush Hemispheres" text printed in red and yellow on a black background. Most copies have this insert placed behind the front cover in the CD case, but apparently some copies have this insert toward the front.

Track listing

All songs written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, and Neil Peart. Alex Lifeson OC (born Alexander Zivojinovich on August 27, 1953, in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada), is a Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist for the rock group Rush. ... Geddy Lee OC (born Gary Lee Weinrib on July 29, 1953 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian musician best known as the vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. ... Neil Ellwood Peart (IPA: ) OC, (born September 12, 1952 in Hagersville, Ontario) is a Canadian musician and author. ...

1. "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres" – 18:05
   • I: "Prelude" – 0:00
   • II: "Apollo Bringer of Wisdom" – 4:29
   • III: "Dionysus Bringer of Love" – 7:00
   • IV: "Armageddon The Battle of Heart and Mind" – 9:05
   • V: "Cygnus Bringer of Balance" – 12:00
   • VI: "The Sphere A Kind of Dream" – 17:02
2. "Circumstances" – 3:40
3. "The Trees" – 4:42
4. "La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise in Self-Indulgence)" – 9:34 ( – Start Time)
   • I: "Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!" – 0:00
   • II: "To sleep, perchance to dream. .." – 0:27
   • III: "Strangiato theme" – 2:00
   • IV: "A Lerxst in Wonderland" – 3:16
   • V: "Monsters!" – 5:49
   • VI: "The Ghost of the Aragon" – 6:10
   • VII: "Danforth and Pape" – 6:45
   • VIII: "The Waltz of the Shreves" – 7:26
   • IX: "Never turn your back on a Monster!" – 7:52
   • X: "Monsters! (Reprise)" – 8:03
   • XI: "Strangiato theme (Reprise)" – 8:17
   • XII: "A Farewell to Things" – 9:20

Rushs Cygnus X-1 Duology consists of Book I: The Voyage and Book II: Hemispheres. ... Hemispheres track listing Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres (Track 1) Circumstances (Track 2) The Trees (Track 3) Circumstances is the second track on progressive rock band Rushs 1978 album Hemispheres. ... Hemispheres track listing Circumstances (Track 2) The Trees (Track 3) La Villa Strangiato (Track 4) The Trees is a song by progressive rock band Rush off of their 1978 album Hemispheres. ... The Canadian Progressive Rock trio Rush has written, recorded, and performed several instrumentals throughout its career. ...

Miscellanea

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items into other sections and removing inappropriate items. (May 2007)

Hemispheres was, for a short period of time, released on red vinyl. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ...

"Danforth and Pape" refers to an intersection in the band's home town of Toronto (link). In the field of road transport, a road junction is a place where two or more roads either meet or cross. ...

"Lerxst" is the nickname of guitarist Lifeson; the "Lerxst in Wonderland" section of La Villa Strangiato features a lengthy guitar solo.

Also on the title track, Neil used a gong for the only time in a Rush studio recording at the conclusion of the track.

Personnel

• Geddy Lee - bass guitars, vocals, Oberheim Polyphonic, Mini-Moog Synthesizers
• Alex Lifeson - electric, acoustic and classical guitars, Roland Guitar Synthesizers
• Neil Peart - drums, orchestra bells, bell-tree, tympani, gong, cowbells, temple blocks, wind chimes, crotales

• Pat Moran - recording engineer for music and overdubs
• Declan O'Doherty - recording engineer for vocals
• Terry Brown - mixing engineer
• Hugh Syme - art direction and graphics
• Bob King - art direction
• Yosh Inouye - cover photography
• Fin Costello - band and poster photograph
• Ray Staff - mastering on original album
• Bob Ludwig - remastering

Geddy Lee OC (born Gary Lee Weinrib on July 29, 1953 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian musician best known as the vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. ... Alex Lifeson OC (born Alexander Zivojinovich on August 27, 1953, in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada), is a Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist for the rock group Rush. ... Neil Ellwood Peart (IPA: ) OC, (born September 12, 1952 in Hagersville, Ontario) is a Canadian musician and author. ...

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ...

Singles

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Hemispheres track listing Circumstances (Track 2) The Trees (Track 3) La Villa Strangiato (Track 4) The Trees is a song by progressive rock band Rush off of their 1978 album Hemispheres. ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... Terry Brown may refer to: Terry Brown (record producer), record producer known most notably for his work with the Canadian rock bands Rush, Blue Rodeo, and Klaatu Terry Brown (football chairman), former chairman of West Ham United football club Terry Brown (football manager), manager of Aldershot Town football club Terry... Hemispheres track listing Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres (Track 1) Circumstances (Track 2) The Trees (Track 3) Circumstances is the second track on progressive rock band Rushs 1978 album Hemispheres. ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... Terry Brown may refer to: Terry Brown (record producer), record producer known most notably for his work with the Canadian rock bands Rush, Blue Rodeo, and Klaatu Terry Brown (football chairman), former chairman of West Ham United football club Terry Brown (football manager), manager of Aldershot Town football club Terry...

Remaster details

A remaster was issued in 1997.

• The tray has a picture of star with man painting with THE RUSH REMASTERS printed in all caps just to the left. All remasters from Rush through to Permanent Waves are like this. This is just like the cover art of Retrospective I.
• The remastered CD has all of the original album cover art including the back cover and poster of the band which was missing on the original CD issue.