2112 - Rush

01 2112

2112 (1976)

[strtgtr]

Truly an unsung masterpiece. RIP maestro Peart. God speed.

[richardhousejr.]

RIP Neil Peart, one of my greatest influences.

[chrishall]

What a show Neil and his bandmates put on . Never be another drummer like him . RIP

[sicsiksam]

Played it for the first time for my 8 year old great nephew .. he had already heard several rush classics, but this kicked up a notch....I was his age when my brother played it for me..I'm 52 now. He will be 100 in 2112.. unless the elder race returns before then.. thanks for the memories .. some last forever..

[debonaire_nerd]

Great album, a little short but overall a fairly dynamic, complex and rich- wait....oh this is the first track.

[jorgeanguas]

Gained access to this in 1978. To a 12 year old hungry for something else besides radio songs, it was simply SUPERB. Have not heard it in DECADES, great to do it again.

[GenX_-umct]

I hope my great grandkids are jamming this 89 years from now!

[ryanwells]

Absolutely love these guys since I am 6 years old. I am now 46. Lost alot of musicians during my lifetime.. None have effected me like this. LOVE YA NEIL. I am a fellow drummer, and will revere you till the day i die.

[cranedao]

This was my first Rush album (vinyl ofcourse) and my first encounter with them .Hooked ever since

[waterfowlmark]

well after 41 years of 2112 and every before and after song by my fav. band in the world, thank god i still have my hearing for another 41 years of

[angelsamolis]

'I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging
into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as
they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here,
just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple
Paper in the evening.

'My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer
Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under
the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons.
I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found
something that changed it all...'

[I. Overture]

And the meek shall inherit the earth...

[II. Temples of Syrinx]

...'The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federation city. I
have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated
and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by
the benevolent wisdom of the priests...'

We've taken care of everything
The words you read, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls

Look around at this world we've made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh, what a nice, contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls

[III. Discovery]

'...Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden beneath the cave, I
found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in
my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful...'

'...I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn the keys to make them sound
differently. As I struck the wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious sounds
and soon my own music! How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait
to tell the priests about it!...'

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain

I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night

[IV. Presentation]

'...In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim,
expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed
throughout the silent Temple Hall...'

'...Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection!
Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground
my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet...'

I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you

Yes, we know, it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan

I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you

Don't annoy us further!
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the Plan!

[V. Oracle: The Dream]

'...I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see
the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase...'

'...I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man
revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and
understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed
by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of
all these things...'

I wandered home through the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?

I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days
I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes

They left our planets long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home to tear the Temples down...
Home to change!

[VI. Soliloquy]

'...I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total
despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live
under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is
that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last.'

The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams...

Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen!
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life

My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood...
...Spills over...

[VII. The Grand Finale]

Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control
We have assumed control
We have assumed control

[Hoolaballoo]

A Farewell to the King...of Drums. Neil R.I.P.

[panick_]

First time hearing a rush song EVER on my own and its looking like I made a good choice (I'm sure I've heard some of their music before without knowing it) I have no words right now for what I'm thinking besides that I'm in Schock (I'm about halfway through this song)
Hope you gracefully welcome this young pup (I'm 25) to the world of rush if I keep listening and like what I hear

[chrisradano]

A LEGENDARY album from the 1970s. A great example of Neil Peart's creative influence on RUSH.

[Gordies-World]

Excellent Album and shows and all their styles I'ved youse'd this album to keep in check. Its still challenging. Thanks Alex for being a force of nature. You are a master! The whole album is precious.

[jorgeanguas]

Attention rappers and millenials: the song is about a thing called Guitar; check it out.

[teresab]

"And the meek shall inherit the Earth.."

[lawrencebeals]

I survived the 70s but yet I'm still here to talk about it amen

[debimumford]

we kneel 2 ` NEIL ` <ilbcnu> flip side semper fi baptized '87

[Gordies-World]

V. ORACLE: THE DREAM

This was my favorite as all of them were and taught me guitar at 14.

“…I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase…”

“…I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities, and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things…”

I wandered home though the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream – can’t you show me the light

I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on, light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days

I see the works of gifted hands
Grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes

They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong

Home to tear the Temples down
Home to change –