Considered one of Rush's finest albums by fans and a highly celebrated prog-rock album by everyone, 2112 is a landmark of sound and concept. The trio's peerless musicianship has long been acknowledged, and it's on full display here. The deluxe edition's bonus live tracks—recorded in 1980-81 in Canada and the U.K.—make a solid argument for Rush's impeccable concert reproductions. However, the original album—here in glorious remastered sound—is the timeless draw. What was originally the first side—the 20-minute, seven-part epic "2112," inspired in part by Ayn Rand's writings, particularly the book Anthem—explores the idea of a monolithic government, the Red Star of the Solar Federation, outlawing music and personal expression, only for its people to be liberated in the final moments. The intricate piece has become a textbook example of prog-rock. The second side's opening, "A Passage to Bangkok," became another concert staple that (along with the remainder of the album side) proved that Rush had no trouble writing short pieces with great emotional heft.