Table of Contents
Introduction
When I read the reference to the album Rush 2112 in Ready Player One, it sparked something inside of me. As a fan of the band Tool, many other fans told me that I should listen to Rush as well. I believe Danny Carey listed them as one of his prominent influences. Don’t get me wrong, I knew about Rush and obviously heard Tom Sawyer, but I never actively sought out anything by Rush. Doing the challenges changed all that. I have an idea for two ways to complete this particular challenge, one easy for me and one maybe nearly impossible. First, this review that you are reading now. The fact that it exists proves that it’s the easy challenge. The other is attempt to play some of the album on guitar. Me, who last played an instrument seriously as a preteen and that was the violin, trying to keep up with one of the most intricate bands out there. TBD if I succeed in any form or fashion.
The Red Star
This plays a prominent role in the book and when you see the cover of the album, you understand why. Other than the band’s name and album title, it’s the only other graphic on the cover. During my research for this review, I read that the star represents the totalitarianism. I also found out that some distinctly misread the intentions of the band and thought that they were siding with the fascists. When I read that, I immediately understood that was not right, but I continued to read. The band responded, “Dummies, we know Nazis are bad. That’s what the whole album is about. Listen to it again.”
Rush 2112 Saved the Band
That may be an exaggeration. I honestly don’t know I didn’t see anything in the history of the band or the album that would indicate that. However, they received push back from the label (because of course they did) to make the album more chart friendly and write radio hits instead of an esoteric concept album about the fight against fascism. The band refused and the rest, as they say, is history. I appreciate this for a couple of reasons. One, when creative people get to realize their creative goal, that’s a win. Add to the fact that they got to stick it to the proverbial “man” and the prophecy fulfilled itself, so to speak. It’s only natural that Halliday would include this album in a story about a small rag tag group of revolutionaries fighting against a huge soulless corporation. A bit on the nose, but this is just a silly book about pop culture references, so I’ll give him a pass.
The Book Challenge and Me
Wade finds a guitar and has to play part of the album in order to unlock the next part of the challenge. Of course he does so flawlessly. I found a page that has guitar tabs for the song and tried to play some myself. Again, I last played an instrument seriously 30 plus years ago. My wife bought me a guitar a few years ago for Christmas. I just restrung it, tuned it, and that gave me the crazy idea to try to play the song. I don’t know what I expected. Maybe the ghost of Rush Past would visit me and guide my fingers to play a recognizable version of the song. I may still take a stab at it. Perhaps in a couple of months when I revisit the blue boxes from the Captain Crunch challenge.
Discovery
The song that Wade needs to play is “Disovery”, the third track from the A-side of the album. That’s the side that tells the story. Other than having to play Discovery in order to make a discovery, the song is the heart of the album. It talks about a Les Gibson guitar that inspired the story and album. See the lyrics below. Absolutely poetic.
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
The Verdict
I am a huge fan of concept albums and anything that tells a story. The Who’s Tommy. Pink Floyd’s The Wall. And now Rush 2112. Once upon a time, inspired by these types of albums, I tried to write my own rock opera for lip sync for one of my classes. It fell apart, but I now have another class that I’m advising. Maybe I can convince them to put one together over the next couple of years. Back to the album. I both want to listen to the album again to try to see if it inspires something in me to play the album. I also just want to listen to it again because I enjoyed it. It’s a great album and a great story. If you get a chance, listen. I think you’ll enjoy it, too.