After completing my Rush studio album collection, I decided to listen for an extended period to each album in the order released to observe how the band evolved over 40 years. My impression of earlier albums are linked at the end.
2112
This is the album that put Rush on the map. After a disappointing third album, Caress of Steel, the band is fortunate to even have had the opportunity for a fourth.
Overall, this album is solid. The flailing around trying to find their voice and character has solidified into their own identity from the first note to the last.
The first two movements from the epic title track are still concert staples, and some of the music for which the band is best known. the highly underrated B-side contains only one radio single, though I think all 5 songs are gems.
Full disclosure – I have owned a copy of this album for at least 25 years, probably longer. It’s one of the Rush albums I know best, and it’s one of my favorites. That may bias the review a tad.
The Tracks
1. 2112 20:33
This epic masterpiece is written in seven movements. It’s the story of a young man who doesn’t even know he is living in an oppressed world until he discovers an ancient guitar and tries to bring it into the world only to have his dreams crushed by the reigning theocracy. Neil Peart’s (in?)famous hat tip to Ayn Rand was added at the last minute. According to an interview I read a while ago, Peart wrote the entire piece before realizing it paralleled one of Rand’s works, so he added that to the liner notes to acknowledge, not as an homage.
The second movement, Temples of Syrinx, was enough for my mother to say “this is horrible” back in 1985, so that tells me there isn’t very much wrong with it. The use of Geddy’s different voices for different characters is done to good effect. the interaction between acoustic and electric guitar parts is also very good. I love the inclusion of the key phrase from Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
The only negative I have with this song is that it can be overplayed and I do get song fatigue with it.
I give this song an A
2. A Passage to Bangkok 3:34
Great instrumental part for all three instruments, although the nine-note “Asia” thing should have been omitted. It was perhaps creative in 1976, but it’s trite today.
This is one of the very few drug-themed songs that Rush ever released. In fact, I can’t think of another at the moment. While the band did partake in such things, their music usually transcends it, and the lyrics are a lot deeper than just a drug grand tour you have with this song. In retrospect, I think the lyrics are a little beneath Neil Peart. That said, this song did get a lot of airtime in the 70s, and probably saved the band from oblivion at the hands of their own epic non-radio songs.
Still, without this song Rush doesn’t get the airplay it needs from 2112 and this is probably their last album. So, credit where it is due. (And I do like the song.) I give it an A-.
3. The Twilight Zone 3:17
I love the B-side of this album and every song on it. This song shows a little bit of rush’s whimsey and I always like it when they go into a minor key. My only complaint with this song is it’s too short. I give it an A.
4. Lessons 3:50
Alex Lifeson’s lyrics have matured tremendously since the first album, and this song is testament to that statement. While his material from earlier releases tends to be young guy sowing his wild oats themed, this song is much deeper and Neil Peart’s influence is felt all through it. The song also have a very catchy rhythm guitar line and some great fingerwork on Geddy’s bass. I give this song an A.
5. Tears 3:30
This song demonstrates Rush stretching its boundaries. Until now they hadn’t done anything quite like this song. Geddy Lee writes a touching song that is performed at a slow tempo unlike anything Rush had done until this point. Geddy discovers a voice he hasn’t really used on an album before, but would bring out again inthe future. overall, a fantastic demonstration that Rush can hit it out of the park on a song that is outside their wheelhouse. I give the song an A.
6. Something for Nothing 3:58
If any song on this album deserved radio time, it is this one. It is textbook Rush temp, arrangement, and voicing. It is also one of Neil Peart’s “be yourself, live life to its fullest, don’t be a pawn to somebody else” songs. Peart will make a great motivational speaker once he retires. This album has a lot of competition, but I think this is the best song on the entire album, and a great way to close out the B-side. I give the song an A+.
Conclusion
This album is a true classic and the first of several masterpieces produced by this band. Not a bad song on the album. On top of that, 2112 gave us our first look at Starman, probably the greatest logo in all of Rock and Roll.
I give this album a solid A.
I gave Caress of Steel a B+.
I gave Fly by Night an A-.
I gave Rush a C+.
