Francis Berger
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Revisiting 2112 in 2021

11/2/2021

5 Comments

 
Rush's 2112 was staple listening for me when I was a teenager. Aside from being enamored by the music, I also enjoyed that the 2112 took me on an adventure - in this case, an intergalactic catastrophe followed by a peaceful yet dystopian planet ruled by the authoritarian iron fists of the priests from the Temples of Syrinx, who proclaim to supply "all the gifts of life" to those over whom they rule. 

I hadn't listened to the 2112 in well over two decades, but the other day I experienced a sudden motivation to revisit Rush's classic epic. Though the story it tells was not new, I experienced it from an entirely different perspective - partly because of age, but mostly because of the events and circumstances we have been living through since 2020.

Rumor has it the band wrote 2112 in protest of their dealings with authoritarian record executives. Without that knowledge, 2112 is an allegorical space odyssey set against the evils of authoritarianism, communism, and totalitarianism. Influenced primarily by libertarian beliefs espoused by writers like Ayn Rand, the work features no explicit mention of spirituality (other than the priests of Syrinx who, with their red pentagram banners, are little more than galactic Grand Inquisitors).

Though the primacy of the spiritual is not explicitly stated (except for line "The meek shall inherit the earth"; Psalm 37:11), the work implies the importance of human learning, growing, and creativity, all of which the Temples of Syrinx expressly forbid (as 
the lyrics from The Temples of Syrinx segment of 2112 make clear):

We've taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all, 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 hollowed halls
We are the priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within these walls

Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
What a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand


Re-listening to this arrangement of connected songs after twenty years was a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, I still enjoy the music and the adventure. On the other hand, I recognize and am left cold by the shallow "solution" to the problem of enslavement, communism, and totalitarianism.

I realize now that 2112 and and other similar works of art represent a sort of high point in the belief of human autonomous consciousness in relation to freedom, meaning, and purpose. Yes, rediscovery, learning, and creativity can all potentially lead back to freedom, meaning, and purpose, but if these are not anchored in God and Creation they will amount to nothing more than an interlude between periods of enslavement. 

All the same, I still consider it an enjoyable and impressive piece of music (yes, the band was a trio!), mostly because it reminds me of a time when popular or rock music still took you on journeys and adventures. The clip below includes some illustrations that help tell the story. If you've never gone on the 2112 adventure, have twenty minutes to spare, and aren't totally averse to rock music from the 1970s, I humbly invite you to give it a whirl.  
5 Comments
S.K. Orr link
11/3/2021 01:59:52

Good stuff, and good memories. I saw Rush open for someone...can't remember who...in 1977. I remember thinking, "These boys can PLAY." I was a fan from then on, and saw them a couple of times after they started headlining. Best power trio of all time. Cream fans, please remain seated and spare me the faux outrage. 2112 is one of those albums that's never felt dated to me. If I put it on right now, I"m with 'em, note for note.

Back in my yoof, I could play along with Alex Lifeson on "La Villa Strangiata" with almost no mistakes. Almost.

Thanks for the simple, happy memories of a time when my hair weighed almost as much as I did. And a nickel bag of maryjane was enough for four of us. For two days!

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Francis Berger
11/3/2021 07:27:21

@ S.K. - Yes, I remember you being a Rush fan when you posted about Neil Peart's death. I had the pleasure of seeing them live once in the 90s and was blown away by their musicianship. They really are the best power trio of all time.

I hadn't listened to them actively for many years, but find myself returning to their music with a even deeper appreciation now, especially their material from the 70s and early 80s.

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David Llewellyn Dodds
11/3/2021 03:22:56

Thank you for this - I Iook forward to trying it!

I was - and am - a great fan of Rick Wakeman's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, and, later Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, but this is new to me.

Reply
Francis Berger
11/3/2021 07:28:10

@ David - It may not be everyone's taste, but I hope you respond positively to it.

Reply
lea
11/4/2021 09:05:44

As someone a bit too young to ever see them play in their prime i did become a bit of a fan and listened to a few of their tracks ALOT over the years. I also think they were firmly denouncing this mechanical future rather then anything else. I feel like they were visionaries extrapolating the computer age into the horrors it -could- bring us eventually. My favorite track is Cygnus-X-1; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OMibr8CqQ4. It's a space odyssey in musical form which always resonated back towards Keith Laumer's book (literally 'Space Odyssey) for me, but later also forward to The Expanse because the spaceship there is called 'Rocinante' 100% based on this song. I just dont understand the lack of attention for Jack Vance who is the greatest writer of the last 150 years to me, but i digress.

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