2112 by Canadian prog-rock legends Rush is a classic not only within the realm of prog, but also among rock fans in general. As Rush's first gold-certified album, 2112 catapulted the band into prominence - a surprising fact, considering the prodigious length of the titular track.I bought this record for something like $4, and I guess you get what you pay for: The cover is pretty beat up (see pics), and the song "2112" skips in a few parts. The artwork itself is iconic, as is the "Star Man" symbol, which is visible on the inside of the cover. However, what stands out most to me on this album cover is how completely ridiculous the band looks. Are they all wearing kimonos? Did Alex Lifeson not realize that he absolutely looks a woman, especially with the lip gloss and the wide-brimmed ribbon-adorned hat? Geddy Lee appears to be waiting on puberty. Look at Neil Peart's mustache. Did he wake up that morning and think, "OK, we're shooting pictures for an album, time to look as much like a Japanese transvestite living in the Wild West as possible"? This cover taught me that the early '70s were a strange time for a lot of people.
So, yeah, these are funny-looking guys, but they can write the hell out of a concept. It's a pretty big risk to put a twenty-minute-plus suite on Side 1 of an album, but "2112" is so cohesive that it doesn't feel nearly so long. Each part transitions beautifully into the next; there's no filler to be found. "The Temples of Syrinx" may be Geddy Lee's most impressive vocal performance, and the musicianship is top-notch throughout. The lyrics are perhaps surprisingly coherent, given that this is a prog-rock album, and the story is actually pretty interesting. "2112" may very well be the most popular "epic" in rock history - and it's not for no reason.
Side 2 is better than one might think, although after the grandeur of "2112," I can't help but feel that these songs were somewhat of an afterthought. "A Passage to Bangkok" features some impressive drumming from Peart, and "Lessons" is a fine enough song, but "2112" alone is worth the price of admission.
For the artwork and the title track, 2112 is a worthy addition to any vinyl collection. Maybe one day I can find a copy that's in better shape.
Purchased at the Disc Exchange in Knoxville, TN
Condition: F
Back cover (hahahahaha):
Inside:
2 comments:
Great review. Still my favorite Rush album. Album artwork was much better back in the day, you need to check out Journey - Infinity, Neal Schon's huge schlong, or Alice Cooper - School's Out, where the record sleeve is a pair of panties.
Thanks for reading - stay tuned for more reviews. I bet that Alice Cooper record is impossible to find.
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