2112

This is the album that began to really show Rush at their peak. They were finally begining to get the epic song format down pat, but still managing to capture pure, unadulterated energy that some epic suites by prog bands were missing. The opening track,"The 2112 Suite", is one of the best displays of Rush's musical skills. Neil Peart's drumming is absolutely phenomenial, and his inspired lyrics are able to tell the story in a concise manner. Geddy Lee's vocals go from mellow, gentle, and almost breathlessly spoken to harsh shrieking that seems to overflow with hatred, despair, and haughtyness, all the while accompanied by his thundering bass. Finally, Alex Lifeson's amazing guitar skills are pushed to the front, allowing him plenty of room to show off. The other tracks on the album are also equally well crafted, the weakest of the six songs being "Tears", but even this weak link is amazingly enjoyable. This album is recomended to all fans of classic bands like The Who and Led Zepplin.