Recording information: Catherine North Studio (04/17/1977); Dudebox Studio, Toronto, Canada (04/17/1977); Lisner Auditorium, Washington, D.C (04/17/1977); Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada (04/17/1977); Soundcheck, Linz, Austria (04/17/1977); Studio 606, Northridge, CA (04/17/1977); Vespa Music Group, Toronto, Canada (04/17/1977); Woodshed, Hamilton, Ontario (04/17/1977); Catherine North Studio (04/2016); Dudebox Studio, Toronto, Canada (04/2016); Lisner Auditorium, Washington, D.C (04/2016); Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada (04/2016); Soundcheck, Linz, Austria (04/2016); Studio 606, Northridge, CA (04/2016); Vespa Music Group, Toronto, Canada (04/2016); Woodshed, Hamilton, Ontario (04/2016); Catherine North Studio (06/11/1976); Dudebox Studio, Toronto, Canada (06/11/1976); Lisner Auditorium, Washington, D.C (06/11/1976); Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada (06/11/1976); Soundcheck, Linz, Austria (06/11/1976); Studio 606, Northridge, CA (06/11/1976); Vespa Music Group, Toronto, Canada (06/11/1976); Woodshed, Hamilton, Ontario (06/11/1976); Catherine North Studio (06/13/1976); Dudebox Studio, Toronto, Canada (06/13/1976); Lisner Auditorium, Washington, D.C (06/13/1976); Massey Hall, Toronto, Canada (06/13/1976); Soundcheck, Linz, Austria (06/13/1976); Studio 606, Northridge, CA (06/13/1976); Vespa Music Group, Toronto, Canada (06/13/1976); Woodshed, Hamilton, Ontario (06/13/1976).
Illustrator: Hugh Syme.
Photographer: Bruce Cole.
2112 is archetypal high-concept heavy/art-rock, featuring an interconnected suite of songs and a futuristic science fiction-inspired lyrical theme (courtesy of drummer/sole lyricist Neil Peart). When it came to '70s sci fi rock epics these guys were capable of giving Hawkwind and Jefferson Starship a run for their money. The first half of the album features "2112" proper, a series of interrelated tunes that paint a portrait of a 1984/Brave New World-style future, where music and emotion are outlawed. Ultimately, our hero discovers a guitar and uses it to fight the powers that be, all to the accompaniment of vaguely Led Zeppelin-derived heavy rock riffs and daunting time signatures. The final five tunes are unrelated to the concept piece but continue in a similar musical vein, though a little balladry is mixed in towards the end.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (p.57) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[2112] is their most extreme, grandiose and Rush-like record, and thus their greatest..."
