2112

I really like 2112, it's like I have an epic weakness for the first side, but the second side, not as much. Oh how I love the opening sounds of Overture, those hard guitar riffs by Alex Lifeson, accompanied by 2 great musicians, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart.

Overture passes onto Temples of Syrinx, and it feels like they never stop. The hard guitar riffs of Lifeson mentioned earlier continue one into another like an endless stream, to be continued until eternity. After the riff part of Temples of Syrinx, it starts to cool down on the riffs and Geddy starts singing, and boy how can he sing. Many people dislike Geddy's vocals, and those who don't, worship them like vocalists can't be worshipped.

Overture then mellows down to a 3-minute guitar tuning session (you know who you are), which is a relaxating piece only featuring Lifeson on an acoustic guitar. He starts with open strings and simple notes, then moves onto complex chord sequences, which cue Geddy's vocals, once again.

The 2112 suite is not full of vocals like Caress of Steel's Fountain of Lamneth, it features heavy use of instrumental sections, used to demonstrate what the Rush trio has really got, much like Camel's The Snow Goose.

The second side starts with A Passage to Bangkok, a very nice riff-based song, but it's riff doesn't compare to those of The 2112 suite.

The second song on the second side is Twilight Zone, a song based on the TV show from the 60's. It is a rocky yet mellow song, with lots of chords, unlike other riff-based Rush songs.

After that, there are 3 songs, Lessons, Tears, and Something for Nothing. Lessons is a nice song, featuring a chordy verse yet a very heavy and diverse chorus with an amazing solo by Lifeson, and high-ranging vocals by Geddy. Tears is a mellow song, written by Geddy, not really recommended, and not a favorite for the heavy Rush fans. Something for Nothing is sort of a lame addition to the album, as it is, like Tears, not a favorite for fans of the hard rock sound of Rush.

4/5 for 2112. I haven't talked about Peart's drumming, because Rush fans who have acquired previous albums just need to know that Neil Peart delivers what's needed.