2112

This was the first concept album I ever bought and I found the concept of a concept album very unusual and it took a while to appreciate and accept the concept of this being a concept album. If you say enough times the word sounds very fucking weird. Concept, concept, concept etc... As dated as much of the albums contents and cover "graphics" may well be 2112 is nevertheless still a good listen and ranks as one of Rush's better albums and a concept (concept, concept) album with plenty to offer and shows and how adventurous and aggressive that Rush were prepared to be though maybe not not quite pulling it off as diverse as they would on later albums like A Farewell To Kings or Hemispheres, though 2112 has a certain substance that both of those afore mentioned follow up albums lack. Personally I have always had a preference for the album that preceded this one. A Caress Of Steel had an innocence and a captivating glance of optimism about it, and 2112 has some sterling features but a little ambitious bordering on the cheese factor and lacking the innocent and wonderful naivete of A Caress Of Steel. Alex Lifeson's guitar playing, both electric and acoustic, stand out for attention as he plays tighter and with more imagination than ever before which brings a creative emotion when needed on the album's concept as the tale ebbed and flowed and built through to a massive final crescendo. As well as the "2112" the album contains more straight ahead songs. "Something For Nothing" is a good rocking song" with a great riff, though "Twilight Zone" is a bit disposable, lyrically anyway. "Tears" is a beautiful ballad with excellent vocal from Geddy Lee and plenty of emotion, while the stoners voyage of "Passage To Bangkok" mixes and blends in some wasteful fun. Like the vision of the title track "2112" my own mood changes with the album whenever I have played through the last 20 years or so, getting to grips with Rush in general is never an easy task, starting from 2112 may well be a good starting point but it can be a bumpy ride at the best of times.