Rush - 2112

Rush – 2112

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During their early years, Rush were considered to be a Led Zeppelin clone, though I think that was more a throwaway comment that unfortunately stuck, ‘2112’ was their first real foray into expansive sci-fi space rock, and it wouldn’t be their last either.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Rush
ALBUM: 2112
LABEL: Mercury
SERIAL: RM-1-1079
YEAR: 1976
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada

LINEUP: Geddy Lee – vocals, bass, taurus pedals, keyboards * Alex Lifeson – guitars * Neil Peart – drums, percussion

TRACK LISTING: 01 2112 – I Overture * 02 2112 – II The Temples Of Syrinx * 03 2112 – III Discovery * 04 2112 – IV Presentation * 05 2112 – V Oracle: The Dream * 06 2112 – VI Soliloquy * 07 2112 – VII Grand Finale * 08 A Passage To Bangkok * 09 The Twilight Zone * 10 Lessons * 11 Tears * 12 Something For Nothing

WEBLINKS: Site Link

Background

Some of us Glory Daze readers are longer time fans of Canadian legends Rush than others. My first encounter was the 1978 LP ‘Hemispheres’, plus a video on the legendary NZ TV show Radio With Pictures for the song ‘Circumstances’, and my first exposure to the helium powered vocals of Geddy Lee.

This was before their 1980 breakout album ‘Permanent Waves’. During their early years, Rush were considered to be a Led Zeppelin clone, though I think that was more a throwaway comment that unfortunately stuck. ‘2112’ was their first real foray into expansive sci-fi space rock, and it wouldn’t be their last either.

The Songs

The title track takes us on a 20 minute excursion through the Rush Universe, inclusive of the ‘Temples of Syrinx’, among other things. This epic must have been something to see in a live context, I’m envious of those who saw the band through this era. I love the last line at the end of the song: ‘we have assumed control’, we have assumed control’..

‘A Passage To Bangkok’ kicks off with a cheap Hong Kong Phooey intro, before setting into a standard deviation Rush tune. It sounds as if the band are reading from a travel brochure. ‘The Twilight Zone’ is mostly restrained rock, though Lifeson pokes through some searing guitar lines on occasion to change the dynamics.

Acoustic guitar is prominent on ‘Lessons’, not quite the ‘Closer To The Heart’ moment on the album, but close enough. ‘Tears’ is a very tempered and poignant tune, again acoustic guitar takes the lead, while the closing ‘Something For Nothing’ emerges as a fiery ending after a laid-back start.

In Summary

This was a very fertile and creative period for Rush. However, the band would enjoy even more commercial success with their next LP ‘A Farewell To Kings’. But it wouldn’t be until 1980’s ‘Permanent Waves’ that Rush finally hit pay dirt.

Video

Entire Album (Select Tracks)

Playlist: Rush - 2112
Watch this playlist on YouTube


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