Rush's 2112 came amid an uncertain time for the band, as disappointing sales for its predecessor, 1975's Caress of Steel, and less-than-ideal critical reception led to a period of financial hardship – plus their international label, Mercury Records, was teetering on dropping them.
As Alex Lifeson dissected 11 key tracks from the Rush repertoire in Guitar World's November 1996 issue, the guitarist looked back on 2112 – and reflected on how stress, strain, and apprehension forged what was to become one of the band's most seminal albums.
