2112

The album that saved the band. Mercury was about to drop them after Caress of Steel tanked; the band responded by writing a 20-minute side-long sci-fi suite in defiance and putting it as side one. It worked — 2112 went platinum, established the Rush template, and bought them a permanent license to do whatever they wanted. Side two is shorter songs ("A Passage to Bangkok," "The Twilight Zone"); side one is the foundation of the modern prog-rock fan's identity. Club Edition pressing.