12 No-Skip Hard Rock Albums
1. Rush - 2112
Prog Rock goes hard in this classic album from Canadian sonic-nauts, Rush. Since the band’s inception in 1968 until their disbanding in 2018, 2112 is the jewel in the crown of Rush.
The first track of the album is the eponymous 2112, a twenty-minute concept revolving around the story of a fictitious futuristic state in which all creativity is outlawed. Influenced by the philosophy of Objectivism and the dystopian novella, Anthem.
The fourth segment of the epic opener focuses the narrative as the song’s protagonist begins sharing music with the oppressed population of Megadon. Geddy Lee’s vocals as the protagonist are sweet and delicate, which are contradicted by the raspy refute of the state.
The protagonist becomes oppressed once again, for a final battle for the joy of music to ensue at toward the close of the legendary song. Unfortunately, the state prevails, assuming control of the universe, silencing the music of the album’s first half.
The album’s second half moves away from the concept of the first, and kicks off with A Passage to Bangkok, containing wholesome vocals from Lee in the chorus.
The Twilight Zone has another cerebral narrative regarding the nature of dreams, whereas Lessons is a bright reminiscent of times gone by.
Tears is the only ballad on the album, which lowers the tone before the album’s farewell, Something For Nothing.
The album closes with a display of the band’s technical ability. More of a standard track than the album’s opening, Something For Nothing packs a punch.