Permanent Waves by Rush

Permanent Waves by the Magnificent Rush, an essential album released in January 1980.

Rush's first album to enter the US Top 5 (at number four), it is one of the band's biggest hits.

A spectacular work, a new soundscape, innovative for the band.

"The Spirit of Radio" and "Freewill" were played on the radio and represented a shift toward a more accessible sound that still retains complexity and melody. This complexity is found in the fantastic "Jacob's Ladder," which, with its arrangements and virtuosity, doesn't stray far from previous albums.

"Natural Science" is a great track, nine minutes divided into three movements.

Less prog than "Hemispheres," but with a complex hard rock feel, more linear keyboard arrangements, great bass, especially on "Freewill," and beautiful acoustic guitar and melody on "Different Strings," with piano and a beautiful guitar solo.

It precedes "Moving Pictures" and is a great hard rock classic, with modern sounds and strong heavy prog roots, Lee's vocals descending in tone, and songs that are, in my opinion, masterpieces: "The Spirit of Radio," "Freewill," the epic "Jacobs Ladder," and "Natural Science."

Fantastic

The Tracks

1. The Spirit of Radio (4:56)
2. Freewill (5:21)
3. Jacob's Ladder (7:26)
4. Entre Nous (4:37)
5. Different Strings (3:48)
6. Natural Science (9:17):
- i. Tide Pools
- ii. Hyperspace
- iii. Permanent Waves

Duration 35:25

The Lineup

- Alex Lifeson - 6- and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars, Taurus bass pedals
- Geddy Lee - bass, bass pedals, synthesizers (Oberheim Polyphonic, OB-1, Minimoog), vocals
- Neil Peart - drums, timpani, orchestral and tubular bells, timbales, wind chimes, rattlesnakes, triangle

Featuring:
- Hugh Syme - piano (5)
- Erwig Chuapchuaduah - steel drum (1)
- Terry Brown - mixing, co-arranging, and co-producing