2112

Having done the FtK review just a minute ago I realized this one was on my list as well. In fact it will have to be more of the same where comments and ultimate rating are concerned. But that doesn't mean the 2 albums are more or less the same.

The stand out track on this one is of course the title track and this one has faded from me in a less drastical way than most other tracks on this album or its successor. 2112 is a classic and a special epic. Does that also mean I go nuts about it ? No, it doesn't but it will always be one I treat with respect. I was blown away by it in the eighties when I didn't know that many epics but now that I do I still count this as a great one though not a masterpiece to me.

The shorter tracks on the B-side of the vinyl are just about of the same quality level as those on the successor. Also on this one we find a ballad (Tears), real beautiful if you are in a sentimental mood. There's the one with the filosophical siginificance (Something for nothing), an interesting life lesson. Compositionswise A Passage to Bangkok has always been my favourite of the short songs on this album. The other two mean less to me.

So even though this one is just about as good as Farewell to Kings it has another impact on me. Strange enough it doesn't make a difference for the rating. 3 stars for 2112 as well (3,3).