2112

Sonically good. Too long. Does not stick. Story not interesting. Also, fuck Ayn Rand.

Prog for people who want to dismantle Social Security.

Come on man, it's Rush! Progressive Canadian Kings! 100% deserves to be on this list. Everyone should at least listen to the overture.

Pretty much amazing all the way through. Brilliant vocals, closest reference for me is actually The Mars Volta. Perfectly delivery no matter how high he goes. Meanwhile some of the instrumental parts wouldn't sound out of place on a Queens of the Stone Age song. All this to say basically that this has aged amazingly well and I'm disappointed with myself for not getting into Rush sooner. Bass is absolutely brilliant.

Side one is simultaneously rocking to the max, and geeky to the max. I love how this album opens, and the way the track 2112 begins by sketching out a blueprint of all the cool riffs you're going to encounter in this stupid dystopian space opera. Glorious. Side two has a song that makes doing drugs sound about as hip as voting Republican, a surprisingly touching ballad in Tears and a slamming track to wrap everything up. Full marks for prog rock's most notable Ayn Rand adherents!

Not bad music but kinda long songs and not particularly special to me. Reading the wikipedia helped me realize why this is included in this list, but overall I found it not that exciting

It's hard not to appreciate the sheer musical powerhouse that is Rush. Lee, Lightson, and Peart are musical titans and, even if you're not a Rush fan (which I'm not), you can't deny their skill or impact on music in general. Just being Rush earns this album 3 stars right out the gate. That said, a 20-minute track is a hard pill to swallow. Especially as it contains a section around the 7-minute mark that's just guitar tuning. It's pretentious as hell and I'm not okay with it. The second half of the album is much more digestable and absolutely redeems the album from that 20-minute monstrosity.

The perfect album. Each song is exactly where it needs to be. 2112 opens with its legendary overture into geddy lee's controlling and sneering priests of syrinx. We get the catchy passage to Bangkok and the heartfelt Tears. The drums are spectacular throughout. A truly timeless album that has it all. You'd have to be deaf to give this anything under a 3

fucking amazing. a 20 minute sci-fi epic in 7 parts. this is everything I want out of music. the b side isn't bad, but I'm rating this 5 stars for the title track alone

2112 avoids the worst excesses of prog and keeps all the good bits, earning its place in the dad rock canon. The first side is discursive and indulgent, of course, but that's why you're here, and it's just half a record. For the rest of the runtime, we get songs, each distinct but tied together with instrumental chops and, most of all, Lee's wails. There's nothing mind-blowing here, and calling out those who say there is is fair play. But that doesn't make the music any worse.

I liked this. Thought all the playing was great. Especially the drums and bass. Not enough albums start with a 20 minute track about mad priests who worship computers. It's all quite indulgent but if you can't do that on a 70s prog album then when can you?

Just 39 minutes but it feels much, much longer. This is the first album on this site that I played twice in a day. Not because I liked it but because I wanted to know if it made more sense with a bit more familiarity. Turns out no, the second time it still felt like lots separate bits of flashy rock of different levels of bombast stuck together in a random way. (And I am not particularly big on flashy, bombastic rock with a shouty singer to begin with). 4/10

The epitome of musical integrity. Last album didn’t sell well? Fuck you here’s a 20 minute epic. The other tracks are good too, Lessons and Something For Nothing being my favorites

Man finds guitar and starts playing. 5/5.

Loved this. Rush are a band I have never listened to despite being a massive Dream Theater fan and so I wasn't surprised by 2112. Found the storyline to be engaging and the music was great, especially for a three piece (and a session synth player). Liked the twist in the story at the end. Thought the B-side was better, the straight up rock songs and Geddy Lee's vocals were pure old school rock bliss. Never realised how good a singer he is, reminds me of Robert Plant but better. Instruments are all tip top and vocals were ridiculously good. Album sailed by and I loved every minute of it

I know Rush isn't many (most?) people's favorites, but if we're talking about a band's great albums, it's hard to ignore 2112, or at least Side A. I first listened to this somewhere around 6th-8th grade, and it never occurred to me that this was corny or might be somewhat painful to listen to decades later (besides, I was and am a big sci-fi fan). And as much as the other side of this record has pretty much *nothing* to do with the 2112 story, I've always enjoyed those songs too. Music-wise, I think I'd rank "Permanent Waves" and "Moving Pictures" as my favorite Rush albums, but it's fun to re-listen to Rush's more prog-rock-oriented stuff too (and cringe at some of those photos from that era). A solid 4! (And for those who can't really enjoy (too) much of Rush, just remember Dave Grohl's great homage to Neil Peart after his untimely death: "I still vividly remember my first listen of 2112 when I was young. It was the first time I really listened to a drummer. And since that day, music has never been the same. His power, precision, and composition was incomparable. He was called ‘The Professor’ for a reason: We all learned from him.")

why do ppl make 20 min songs, i'm sorry

Very solid album with a great opening. The later tracks are not as memorable as the first half but still great.

A landmark album for the band and for the prog rock genre as a whole. I remember "discovering" this record when I was in high school through friends (my dad was never a Rush fan) and it blew me away.

04/03/2022 Really great stuff here. Loved the 20-minute opening track; it takes you on an entire journey from start to finish. So many ways this could have been awful, and there are already multiple albums on this 1001 list that have tracks that are SO much longer than is really necessary, but this one hit just right. Such a great listen.

The first half of this album is a prog-rock masterpiece. It is a highly influential conceptual piece that does so many things well. The rest of the album is pretty good too. 4.6/5

You want an album where one track takes up over half the runtime. Boy do I have news for you

If you like Rush then you're going to love this album! If you don't like Rush then you can go ahead and pass on this one. I'm going to pass on this one

Pretty over-bloated wank as far as I'm concerned. Pretty sure it is of it's time and hasn't aged well. Voice is annoying, lyrics are awful. Some quasi racially inappropriate Asian riff on the Bangkok song. Definitely all very good musicians, some good riffs here, but it's lost in the muck, doubtful of a second listen.

Fine, but a bit dull. Very long first track, which isn't a crime in itself, but it felt like four or five different tracks needlessly stitched together (although it is telling the one story). Other side of the album is a bit more accessible, but nothing that really stands out. I do like a bit of prog rock, but it needs to be a bit tighter and a bit cleverer than this. I came into this not knowing Rush at all, but am not particularly minded to investigate further. 2/5.

Poor. Hackneyed lyrics. Pedestrian tunes

Rush's make it or break it album. I love how they pushed back against their management and continued with the longer song format. Here, the guys successfully found out how to make it work on both an ambitious and accessible scale. In general, I really like the dynamics on this album, going from very aggressive to very beautiful at the drop of a dime. Alex really shines here and I always found his switching from folky arpeggiation to heavy power chording really interesting. I'm a big Rush fan, so I'll gush a little.. 2112 Suite - Loosly based on Anthem by Ayn Rand, it's a very geeky concept that exemplifies youthful individualism against a controlling establishment. It was a recurring theme for much of their early period and really set the tone for much of their material to follow. It took a while for me to realize that Overture instrumentally set up most of the song chapters, creating motifs to return to. They would revisit this idea again on later songs. Musically, there inhabitants an interesting blend of anger and frustration but also a wild exuberance of exploration and fun. At times, this was a very serious band, but they knew how to have fun and they were goofy as hell. A Passage to Bangkok - I really like the live version they refined in the late 70s and early 80s where Geddy would use the double neck guitar so that during the guitar solo, he could hit the power chords while playing the bass on his Taurus Pedals. Good stuff. Anyway, kind of goofy one but a fun fan favorite that would have fit pretty well on a previous album. The Twilight Zone - A song that's actually about the TV show. I like the contrast between the bouncy verses and the shift into the creepier coruses complete with the whispered vocals. Lessons - One of my favorites from this album. It sort of catches you off guard going from a more poppy acoustic feel into some pretty hard rock. Tears - Beautifully haunting and a bit strange. I really like this one. Great acoustic guitar work and love the mellotron Something For Nothing - Closes out the album with a bang which essentially bookends things nicely as Geddy wails some of my favorite lyrics from Neil during the bridge: "What you own is your own kingdom. What you do is your own glory. What you love is your own power. What you live is your own story. In your head is the answer, let it guide you along. Let your heart be the anchor and the beat of your song." - Neil Peart (September 12 1952 - January 7th, 2020)

Jeez. All headbangers.

A pillar of prog rock excellence

I. Overture, II. The Temples of Syrinx, III. Discovery, IV. Presentation, V. Oracle: The Dream, VI. Soliloquy, VII. Grand Finale. - 10/10 A Passage to Bangkok - 9/10 The Twilight Zone - 10/10 Lessons - 10/10 Tears - 9/10 Something for Nothing - 10/10

2112 is an album I own (on cassette of all things), and I've listened to Rush many times. I have heard all of Rush's albums, except for perhaps the last 2 or 3, and 2112 is a favorite. This album is progressive rock, but a hard rock version of prog rock. Headphones make the listening experience better. I love the opening sounds, followed by the blast to the foundations of what you're listening to from the guitar and drums. The opening movement ("Overture") resolves with an explosion followed by quiet guitar and vocals. All of side A is full of these contrasts between blasting energy and quiet reflection. There are times when you have to concentrate to hear where the guitar and bass separate. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee give you plenty of music to listen to, and Niel Peart is not shy to show you what he can do with his drums. Above all the music, Geddy Lee's vocals on this album are in their most iconic form. Lee adds to the contrast between energy and reflection, using more than one voice to tell the story. Both voices are iconically Lee’s. Side A ("2112") is a progressive rock classic, and gets a full 5 stars from me. I've listened to Side A more often than I have the whole album together. Side B is good, but I would only give it 4 stars on its own. I will still give this album 5 stars, because it won't be long before I listen to this whole album again.

One of my favorite albums. 2112 transcends music for me, it is a piece of my life. The title track is one of the greatest pieces of music ever created. While the second half is a fun mix of complementary tracks.

One of their best. Classic Peart storytelling, side one is ONE song. Fantastic all across the board.

I remember being completely blown away when hearing the song 2112 for the first time. At that point in my life (age 17? 18?) I had heard some proggy music but this was on a whole other level of sci fi wizardry.

Killer prog rock with sci-fi lyrics? That’s my shit.

GREAT prog stuff I’ve heard Rush’s first three albums now and I feel like they keep improving with each one, the first was just your average prog rock, the second album really stepped up with more beautiful, dynamic sounds, and this third one got even better going all out prog in the best way 10/10, really want to hear their other stuff

Canada's best

5/5 Amazing

The album that made them. The first Prog Metal album and work of art.

The best Rush album. This is the one that turned them into the holy triumvirate.

Five star streak continues. On Fourth of July no less! Great summer album. Priests of Syrinx and Train to Bangkok are tops. Not the best Rush album, but any early rush gets a 5 from me

One of the all time best.

Went in there expecting not much, having never listened to them before but I had a great time listening to this album and enjoyed it thoroughly. The more melodic aspect of this album hit exactly what I like in rock and I'm definitely looking forward to check out more of then

5555

Enjoyableeee. Really wish the first song was seperated but they're all amazing. Favorite one is Something For Nothing

2112 the song is incredible. The rest of the album i don’t care for as much and I’d give 3. it averages at around a 4

good album, the first one i've listened to of Rush, not disappointed. Would probably be more 3.5, but here's 4 for our Canadian friends.

Such a weird and talented group made up of a bunch of dorks. Love it.

I put off listening to rush because I thought it was widdly widdly nonsense for Middle Aged men. Turns out I really like it. Am I a Middle Aged man? First track seemed almost prog-metal

I like Rush as much, if not more than the next guy, and I understand the significance of this album to the fan base. That said, for me, I've never been able to shake the feeling that this one is severely over-hyped. In traditional prog-fashion, the album is composed as a two-sided adventure where the first side is a long-running, multi-part odyssey featuring widely varied instrumentation, storytelling, and technical focus. The second is devoted to more-consumable "single"-formatted tracks. 2112 is a nerdy dedication to one of the shittier philosophers to grace our planet in the past 100 years: Ayn Rand (who dedicated her life towards the proliferation of the idea of rational self-interest; basically the idea that one should value their own objectives and interests above all else). Shitty inspiration aside, the song certainly has some chops to it and I found a few of the sections to be really enjoyable. Overture and The Temples of Syrinx are the highlight in my mind with some weakness towards the middle. Also, by contrast to other prog acts (like Yes) who put together long-running opuses that actually blend from section to section, this song is very Rush in the sense that it is pretty formulaic and feels more like a distinctly segmented opera. Great instrumental work throughout of course -- I'd be lying if I wasn't drumming along while listening to this. Side two is weaker than most of their records IMO. I love Passage To Bangkok (top 7 Rush song for me) and Something For Nothing, but the rest is pretty throwaway for me. IDK man, I was excited when this came up on the list, but tbh it just doesn't clear a 3 for me.

I've never been able to get fully into Rush, so what a perfect opportunity right now! Thanks 1001albumgenerator.com! The music is pretty solid (what up prog), but the one thing I feel like has always bothered me about Rush was Geddy Lee's voice. Just have never been able to get over it. It's ok in small samples for me but over a whole album it's a lot. The first song was by far the best part of the album to me. Started to falter after that a bit, but still solid. Going high 3 here and my inability to get into Rush continues.

Pretty much a straight forward pop-guitar album with some weird time signatures that give fedora-wearing a/v kids a pass to listen to pop music.

Out of the incel frying pan and into the fire! There are Rush songs I like but none of them are on here. The best thing I can say about this album is, like my favorite dental procedures, it's over before you know it!

What an annoying voice this guy has. Really grating. Besides that, the songs are kind of boring. And also apparently these guys like Ayn Rand? I was going to rate it a 2 before I knew that but I almost deducted another star just for that.

This album has its moments. Some of those moments are inside the side-long multipart first track, some on the tracks from side 2. I kind of wish the songs on side one were just separated out into distinct tracks of their own. Not being a big Rush fan I was unaware how much their earlier material sounds so much like a proggier Led Zeppelin. They seem to be on the road to their own more distinct sound here but it's still a ways off from something like "Moving Pictures," which I enjoyed much more. I can see why people like this, it's fun and sort of peak AOR classic rock in a way, but ultimately it's not for me. 2 stars for Ayn Rand references.

This kicks ass. Exactly what you want from a Rush album. IMO, a 20 min song is a bit much. But they change it up enough, that it stays interesting the whole time. Great album

9/10 Surprised me truly. Favourite Song=Tears Least Favourite Song=A Passage To Bangkok

Who doesn’t love a bunch of nerds playing their instruments at peak performance? Rush’s string of records from 2112 to Moving Pictures is about as good as you’re going to get when it comes to progressive rock. I know Geddy Lee’s voice doesn’t sit well with everyone, but Rush just wouldn’t be Rush without it. I, for one, find it iconic. Neil Peart and Alex Liefson are equally iconic. No one plays the skins like Peart and Lifeson is an underrated piece of the Rush trio. 4.5/5

I don't even need to listen back to it, but I'm going to anyway lol. 5/5 BANGER. I go see it every year in lasers at my planetarium. 38 minutes, tight album of which 2112 is 20 minutes of it. Doesn't feel that as all. There’s something here as strong as life!

Uno de mis discos favoritos. El lado A es brillante, me encanta el sonido, cómo la voz cambia para adaptar quién habla en la historia, y hablando de la historia es algo que no se suele hacer mucho en canciones. Quizás la única contra de este álbum es que podría no tener el lado B, que parece haber sido agregado para rellenar la segunda mitad del vinilo. Sin embargo, estas canciones "extras" también son excelentes, quizás con "Lessons" como punto más flojo. 10/10 would recommend, un disco que debe ser escuchado por todos.

Feels nostagic even tho I wasnt even born in that era

This was really good, relaxing second track added to the move. Seemed like simpler music solution to complexities of back then.

This is the kind of 5* album that I can understand if you hate it.

2112– Rush– I had always heard that early Rush is the poor person’s Led Zepplin. While I can hear some licks and some vocals that are reminiscent of LZ, this album is more like what Rush would become. This album has a more dramatic presentation than later Rush, but that quality of musicals suits them. This will probably be my favorite album by Rush. 4.5/5

Super vet. Ik kende Rush nog niet echt, maar ik ben hooked!

One of their best albums

Truly genius album. The first song is such a masterpiece. If you like progressive music you have to give this album a listen.

The thing I like most about this album is the story behind its making. The band were about to be dropped from their label and were being pressured to produce a more “commercial” work. Instead, they kept doing their thing and came up with this masterpiece. Even people I know who don’t like Rush will admit their talent is extraordinary. Peart was second to none behind the drums!

I love Rush. This isn't my favorite album of theirs, but I do love it and it's their breakthrough album. Forever grateful to it in that regard. Also, the more I listen to Alex's guitar work, the more I'm impressed with it. I was always enamored with the rhythm section, but he's definitely an underrated guitarist. I don't think there's ever been a band with this much concentrated talent.

Six stars if I could.

Yes

another prog album that takes its listeners on a ride across the world, including time and space. this album is surreal and fantastic, the first track being a 20 minute suite. dealing with emotional journeys, tribulations, and literally going across who knows where, this album is a prog masterpiece, nothing else more needed than that. it'll resonate with a lot of listeners, it did for me, and i'm sure it does to plenty of others.

After Geddy Lee says "and the meek shall inherit the earth" there's a couple of bars consisting of pure elite riff. Then Neil Peart comes in with possibly one of the greatest fills ever put on record. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

One of the best prog rock albums of all time.

One of their best albums

2112 was an absolute beast of an album. It was always hard, heavy, fast and melodic throughout all 6 of it's songs (the first track is three tracks combined into one, just so you know). The vocals and lyrics were very great parts of the album but for me, it was the music that stole the show with it being everything i described above. And there isn't a single song that's not great because the greatness carried over from each and every song all the way to the very end. In fact, i don't think there really is a flaw i can even mention, this album is genuinely excellent. Best Song: Tears Worst Song: The Twilight Zone

I have been waiting for this album since I started the project! Rush is my favorite band and this is my favorite album. It showcases their musical virtuosity, high concept lyrics and storytelling, and it’s still a banger by today’s standards. Each is a master of their respective instrument, and the sum is more than each part. Quite possibly the easiest 5 star review I’ve given. 5⭐️

I wanted to like the 1st track multiple times, and unable to cause it was the same track! 🔥

Oh yeah!

Oh the memories of listening to this the first time! It never gets old

It took several attempts to listen to this album, as I kept trying when I was tired and the sound of the water on the Overture lulled me to sleep. Having finally heard it all the way through though, I'm very impressed. It's going in my tidal collection. Five stars from me.

Phenomenal. Had so much fun.

For me, perfection. Although listening to it again I realize I think of it only as the first side. The tracks on side 2 are less impressive.

Brilliant storytelling in the space of spectacular musicianship. This is a landmark release

90% Best: 2112; A Passage To Bangkok; Something For Nothing Must-Hear? Oh yeah, it's Rush baby!

Just amazing!! Possibly the greatest rock trio of all time and this album really helped launched them. Musically the three members of the band are just about as good as it gets, vocally Geddy Lee can take a bit of getting used to for some people but i personally love his voice and they have the tunes. The first song is a sprawling 20 minute epic that is just fantastic and the rest of the songs that follow it great as well the whole album is a masterpiece and well worth inclusion.

Classic album.

The consumate Rush album

One of the best records ever made. Ever. In the history of the world. If all time. Ever. The absolute 🐐

I love prog, and have /just/ got back from ArcTanGent festival where I saw some excellent musicians play some really interesting music. Yet no one competes with Rush - This album is nearly 50 years old and it's still more complex, interesting and impressive than most things you hear today. Overture is a masterpiece, followed by some astounding complementary pieces of music. This album has no weaknesses. 5*

Side A: 6/5 Side B: 4/5

One of my favorite albums of all time. 5 stars just for side (track) 1 alone. Side 2 is good too, and lighter, but I'll often just listen to the first song and call it a day.

Darling of MAGA morons and Ayn Rand libertarians (who fail to acknowledge she died skint on welfare) whilst this album bought Rush their creative freedom and integrity it forever gave haters another reason other than geddys voice. Is it their best, no. But it certainly merits a position. Have to give it a very biased 5/5

I'd heard of Rush before I'd heard Rush. Neil, late 1980, parading a vinyl copy around class 2A at school. Chris telling me you could really feel the wind blowing at the staert of 2112 wen heard through headphones and the lyrics that included "the pornos that give pleasure to your eye." And it was the days of pocket money and so my first Rush album was 1981's Moving Picures. Bought on cassette from a service station in march 1981 on return from a ski-ing trip to the Italian Dolomites with unspent money. A sophisticated, modern rock album. So when i did eventually - and a fair few montrhs later - eventually hear 2112, the first thing I had to deal with was that high pitched unsophisticated voice and much more rocky sound. It was exciting. And then there was the lyrics. I've tried several times to read Ayn Rand's 'The Fountainhead' on which the 2112 story is based but never succeeeded in completing it. We still in 2024 argue about whether it ends in suicide or not. Side 2 of the record has the best music. The Twilight Zone is by far the most sophisticated piece of music on the album whilst Passage to Bangkok is just plain catchy with drug infused lyrics. A tad under forty minutes it doesn't outstay its welcome. It has an iconic cover and it sold shedloads. Those there boys huddled in the safety of their pseudo silk kimonos.

The album that introduced me to the greatest band of all time. Forced to listen to it in 1979 by my older brother - pretended to like it and then did !! Never listen like back.

It’s taken me about 40 years to really get Rush. Back in the day the hairy kids were fanatically into all things Rush. If Geddy Lee had opened a commune in Guyana these kids would have gone with and happily drank the Koolaid. I wasn’t into it. I couldn’t get past the smell of petunia oil. But now I am older and have the time to actually listen, they really are a phenomenal band. Especially this album. Pass the purple drink.

I love rush. Shut up you. They were nearly always able to play progressive music without 1) disappearing up their own clackers and 2) being so complex it was impossible to hold onto. Sure Neil’s lyrics were … sometimes only as good as their source material - ayn rand. And geddys voice isn’t to everyone’s taste. But man could they play. Alex plays like a demon being lifted I guess by Neil’s legendary drumming. Geddy’s bass is incredibly great too. 5 stars easily.

Rush is always awesome, so it's no surprise that I loved this. I'd heard 2112 many times before, but the other tracks were a first listen for me, and I didn't realize that 2112 was the overture for the rest and had a lot of the other melodies baked in. Wonderful listen, it was actually in my head when I fell asleep the night after listening, and it was great. Five stars.

Always liked side 1 of this one a lot. Listening again, side 2 also has some great tracks on it. Overshadowed by the popularity of the magical 2112 suite.

I suspect this will be my favorite album on this list of 1001 albums. Rush has introduced several generations, including myself, to the world of progressive rock. As a Canadian, I might have a slightly biased view because everyone here knows Rush. However, it's essential to focus on the cultural power of Rush and the unique progressive rock they brought to the world. No other progressive rock band has brought this genre of prog to the masses the way Rush did. Sure, there are bands bigger than Rush and bands more 'proggy' than Rush, but name a band that is both more progressive and bigger than Rush. You can't. Some might argue for Pink Floyd, but is Pink Floyd really more progressive than Rush? They are undoubtedly more psychedelic, but even with 2112 alone, Pink Floyd doesn't reach the prog heights of Rush's opus, not to mention deeper Rush cuts like Natural Science, Xanadu, and La Villa Strangiato to name a few. Others might suggest Yes, which indeed ventured deeper into prog. However, even Yes’s most commercially successful single, but tragically un-prog Owner of a Lonely Heart, pales in comparison to Rush’s iconic tracks like Tom Sawyer, The Spirit of Radio, and Limelight – all of which are progressive in their own right. For the past 50 years, Rush has been the undisputed king of progressive music. Their influence and mastery of the genre remain unparalleled. Long live Rush!