2112

The first RUSH masterpiece- it's not without its flaws, of course, but this is where hard rock and progressive rock successfully and accessibly came together. Additionally, the sound was so individual and uncompromising (for its part) that it far outclassed the hard rock "progressive-lite" bands like STYX and JOURNEY. You could party to this album, and you could also do some mind-expanding with it. Continuing the 'concept side/shorter song side' system, they also enabled you to get some action with it, given the right partner and some careful song selection (I knew at least one girl who responded to "Tears"). Nerds loved it, stoners loved it, rockers loved it. Being one of each as time passed, it has a nostalgic value to me and is almost required listening for any progressive rock collection for the "2112" suite alone. I'm not saying this is the most polished or involving narrative in prog rock- the "Discovery" part in particular is as clumsy as it is lovely- but it works from start to finish and leaves you satisfied. I suppose a labored analogy would be: RUSH is the fast food of 70s prog, PINK FLOYD is the meat-and-potatos, and KING CRIMSON is more of an haute-couture restaurant (I guess that makes YES chinese food...well, these analogies only go so far). Anyway, if you're any kind of prog fan, "2112" is one of those classic albums you just have to hear.