2112

Side 1: The title epic is without a doubt the crowning achievement of their early period (first 4 albums) and shows a great advancement over the flawed epics of Caress of Steel. This one actually has an overture, and though not all the segments flow cleanly into each other, it actually feels like a single piece of music. The music itself is still classic hard-rock a la Zeppelin/The Who, but takes one more step towards genuine progressive rock. Neil Peart does a great job adapting the writings of Ayn Rand into song, no small task. An essential piece of the Rush catalog.

Side 2: Apparently, while writing the outstanding title track, the band got sloppy with their shorter tracks. With the possible exception of A Passage to Bangkok, these are some dull songs. The Twilight Zone is Rush at its most lyrically absurd - almost impossible to take seriously. Tears shows Geddy Lee attempting to get sentimental with disastrous results. Lessons and Something For Nothing are OK, but far below the levels of earlier rockers like Anthem and Bastille Day.

An uneven album, though worth the purchase for the title track alone. We are still in prog-related country here, but all that will change very soon...

Side 1 - 4/5 Side 2 - 2/5 Total Score: 3/5

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