With their 1975 release "Caress Of Steel", Rush attempted the make of a great storylined concept album, however, it didn't quite cut it. Maybe the epic track on the second half of the album "The Fountain Of Lamneth" didn't have a strong enough story and/or message to it - who knows? The point is, their record company shunned the idea of a concept album preferring more conventional straight-forward rock albums like those we've heard from Bad Company or Foghat, but Rush was out to distinguish themselves. Instead of being deterred from the lack of success of "Caress" or discouraged from writing 18+ minute long epic tracks by the record company. Neil, Geddy and Alex write, record and release an even better and longer epic track for their 1976 album - "2112"! Three very talented musicians from the suburbs of Toronto simply knew what they wanted and through blood, sweat and "Tears" stood their ground. Of course, the record execs were furious at Rush's blatant disregard for their request, but surely were silenced by the fact that "2112" became the band's first platinum selling success!

It's one thing to write a body of work, whether it's a novel or rock album or whatever, and talk a lot of pilosophy. It's another to put ACTION behind those words and produce positive results. Rush practices what they preach and "2112" is there testament.


2112 started it all for me!   July 29, 2006
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I look back upon my discovery of this album, while still a teen in high school, and find it marks the point when I became a metal head. Now, at 44 years of age, I'm even more of a metal head.

2112 comes blasting through your speakers with the opening epic and thumps your heart with excellent prog-metal, and most certainly does not leave your brain behind with the thought provoking lyrics.

Reader, you must keep in mind, in the mid seventies when this album first hit the street, it was ground breaking. There was nothing to compare it to. It was heavy, unique, and well-crafted. It still is 30 years later.

Try this disc. If you like prog-rock, you'll be amazed at what happened 30 years ago. I'm still a Rush fan, and attended their 30th anniversary tour in 2004, and all these years later I still can't recommend this recording enough.


This Should Be Your First Rush Album-Great Trio of Musicians Admired by Fellow Musicians   July 28, 2006
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

If you have never heard Rush before, this early offering of the power trio from Canada is the best place to start. This was MY first album by the fellas and I wore the vinyl out by putting it on auto replay almost every other night to fall to sleep by. "2112" is an wonderful "musical bedtime story" of images and sounds and well written songs. There are very few bands that I have seen more than once or twice, I have seen Rush a whopping 6 times because they are that good.

The album is the first solid indication of things to come for the band demonstrating the newly found tightness of Lee, Lifeson and Peart. ( The original drummer was not able to meet the obligations of the newly contracted band after their 1st album that bears the bands name) The intellectual lyric and percussive genious which came with the addition of "The Professor"(Peart) enhances the already virtuosic guitar skills of Lifeson and the lively running bass lines and screechingly effective vocals of Lee.

Musicians tend to have a great artistic admiration for Rush out of respect for the level of skill it takes to master any covers from this album forward.

Lifeson predates Eddie Van Halen in his sampling and pedalwork and elevates the common guitar solo to a work of art. He is one of the modern rock genre guitarists with a signature sound and style..when you hear Alex you know it is him playing and no one else. When you watch him play, he does so with an ease that almost contradicts the level of skill that you are hearing.

Lee never resorts to the "thud, thud, thud" of a boring bottom heavy bass line. He walks, climbs, plucks and runs all over the fretboard, straying from then rejoining Lifeson in melodic synchronization. There is a definite Yes flavor to his vocals, but in early interviews of the band, his voice naturally lent itself to the higher register. As he matures in the subsequent albums, it gets lower, but just as effective.

Neil Peart is considered a percussive impressario, who in over 30 years, never resorted to a plain background drummer fare. He is inventive and uses his extended drum kit (complete with chimes, gongs, bells and the gambit of percussive equipment) the way a great conductor utilizes the entire orchestra. The drumlines interconnect with the melodies and basslines and aren't a backdrop but integral part of the sound as a whole.

The best word to sum up their songs and riffs is "Tricky", and that screams for fellow musician admiration. Even music snobs of every vein enjoy this well crafted album, they cannot help themselves.

Metaldiva Sez: Admirers of all genres of music will enjoy this album. The digitally remastered version is brighter and clearer and adds to the enjoyment of "2112". Get it home, put out the lights and turn it up... then escape into space, the far east, and a forest to start as you enjoy one of the best progressive rock/rock albums ever recorded.