|
RUSH arrives with 2112.
Side A is home to their greatest epic ever, 2112. This twenty-one
minute song is flawless. RUSH has perfected their studio recording
in this song, and the synthesizers add so much. 2112’s "Overture"
really drives this song home and gives a taste of everything you can
expect. It’s prefect, and can’t be denied. In fact the instrumental genius
behind the "Overture" is so brilliant, you can’t believe it’s over
when the "Temples of Syrinx" begins…and that part is even better
than the "Overture!"
2112 continues to deliver outstanding
lyrics, vocals, instrumentation, and…plot through out. Every single second
of this masterpiece is perfect and valuable. The only thing that improves
upon this recording is the live version, if you are ever lucky enough to
get to see it in its entirety. (Emphasis on see over hear
because recordings, official and otherwise, do exist of a live 2112…experiencing
it is completely different!)
Every part is incredible, and it is impossible
to decide which one is the best, driving home the point that 2112
is an entity unto itself. I cannot express to you enough that you must
listen to all of 2112. Please do!
If side A was not enough, side B continues to
deliver. A Passage to Bangkok is an incredible song, solidifying
the idiosyncratic style of RUSH’s music. It is a perfect follow up
to 2112, but it doesn’t try to compete. And then The Twilight
Zone arrives. While the first verse may make the song questionable, by
the time the chorus hits it becomes clear that The Twilight Zone is
one of the best RUSH songs yet. The best part in the song is when
Alex squeals into the second chorus with one of his best solos ever on a
studio release.
Lessons
and Tears deliver more perfectly blended RUSH. Finally the
trio have found out how to mix their instruments to both show off their
individual talent, and their collective genius. Lessons presents
the more rockin’ side of RUSH, while Tears presents their
softer side.
Balancing the soft side and the rock side of
RUSH is Something For Nothing, a perfect cap for 2112
and another genius song. In the end, 2112 is one of my
favorite RUSH albums of all time. This is the point where the trio
has blended their talents to perfection, and you can tell they had fun
doing it. This album also builds appreciation for RUSH’s earlier
three albums. From here you can see their vision and enjoy their
metamorphosis into the powerhouse they are. |
