Classic Albums: Rush 2112/Moving Pictures

Time puts a weird spin on things. Back in their day, Rush albums such as 1976's 2112 and 1981's Moving Pictures weren't the cult-status nerd fests they are today. Well, maybe 2112. Either way, they've indelibly altered the face of modern music, be it via fans, fellow musicians or ― God forbid ― detractors. Naturally, with so many gawkers revelling in the riffs that defined Rush, it was only a matter of time before wonderfully investigative program Classic Albums took a stab at what was going on both in and around Rush at the time of these efforts. Broken up into various parts, disc one peeks at 2112's creation and how it saved the band from being dropped by their label, while Moving Pictures (disc two) confirms that while clearly prodigious, Rush were also quite the hit-makers. Naturally, much of this has already been covered in all-encompassing feature documentary Beyond The Lighted Stage, so revelations are few and far between. Still, featuring exclusive interviews from all three band members, in typically casual demeanour, unearthed footage and the inevitable track-by-track analysis of source tapes with producer Terry Brown, it may not be overwhelmingly unique but it's certainly informative. Expecting such a reaction, Classic Albums tacks on almost another hour of previously unavailable, yet equally interesting, additional interviews and footage with the band as both a means of grabbing diehard fans and creating bonus material. Rounding out the experience in the most beneficial manner possible, both albums have been included, ensuring that while anyone watching a program about such cultish efforts clearly owns both 2112 and Moving Pictures, they're also at-hand for when the inevitable moment of adrenaline-pumping thrill ensues after such an in-depth experience.