December 8, 2021 Playlist

"Hemispheres" by Rush (1978)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Rush "Hemispheres"  1978 (Canada)
A few years back, Rush was in the running to be the longest-lasting band from the classic rock era, but the death of Neil Peart in 2020 put an end to the group (and ZZ Top won the longetivity race by default: they made it 50 years with no membership changes compared to merely 45 years of the classic Rush lineup). I think you might split this band's career into about four stages: 1) early 70's Zeppelin wannabes (their first two albums), 2) mid-to-late 70's "second wave of classic prog rock" (concept albums maaan), 3) 80's synths and new wave reggae beats (surviving in the era when most prog bands vanished), and 4) 90's and beyond "iconic cult hero status". Hemispheres was the final album of their second phase, and their highest peak in terms of stunning prog-rock virtuosity. They spent more time in the studio on this record than any of their others, and (perfectionists that they were) were ultimately not completely satisfied with their ability to perfectly execute this music, which is so re-goddamn-diculously complicated that no human being could! But ironically it would be their next phase (the 1980's) when they would reach their peak of popularity - but that is a tale for future classic albums.
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
Dinosaur jr. Forget The Swan (live)Emptiness At The Sinclair (N)2021  (Jagjaguwar)USA
The Bevis Frond Dreams Of FlyingLittle Eden (N)2021 (Fire)UK
Night Beats Never Look BackOutlaw R&B (N)2021  (Fuzz Club)USA
TEKE::TEKE Yoru Ni
("At Night")		Shirushi (N)
("Sign")		2021 (Kill Rock Stars)Canada (Quebec)
/Japan
 
 
Acid Dad BBQTake It From The Dead (N)2021 (Greenway)USA
Mild High Club Me Myself And Dollar HellGoing Going Gone (N)2021 (Stones Throw)Australia
Goat It's Time For FunHeadsoup (N)rec. 2012-2020  (2021 Rocket)Sweden
Courtney Barnett Turning GreenThings Take Time, Take Time (N)2021 (Mom+Pop)Australia
Suuns C-ThruThe Witness (N)2021 (Joyful Noise)Canada (Quebec)
Ty Segall Changing ContoursHaromizer (N)2021 (Drag City)USA
   
 
RushThe TreesHemispheres
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1978Canada
RushCygnus X-1: Book II (Hemispheres)Hemispheres
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		1978Canada
RushWorking ManRush1973Canada
   
 
Nina Hagen BandT.V. Glotzer
("T.V. Watcher") 		Nina Hagen Band1978Germany
Ted Nugent & The Amboy DukesThe Inexhaustable Quest For The Cosmic CabbageMarriage On The Rocks - Rock Bottom1970USA
Mythic Sunship OlympiaWildfire (N)2021 (Tee Pee)Denmark
Mahavishnu Orchestra
(with Jean-Luc Ponty)		Cosmic Strut
   --> If I Could See
   --> Be Happy		Visions Of The Emerald Beyond1975UK/USA/France
   
 
Hubert LawsIn The BeginningIn The Beginning1970USA
Herbie MannTodayToday!1966USA
John TropeaTambourineTropea1975USA
Barry Miles (with John Abercrombie)Life-CycleScatbird1972USA
Esperanza Spalding Formwela 13Songwrights Apothecary Lab (N)2021 (Concord)USA
   
 
Richard Dawson & Circle SilphiumHenki (N)
("Spirit")		2021 (Domino)UK/Finland
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