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Rush - Permanent Waves Audio CD

A fair review of the Rush "Permanent Waves" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Rush reviews here, or go back to the Rush tabs.

Rush Band: Rush
Title: Permanent Waves
Rating:
Release Date: 1997-05-06
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Spirit of Radio 2: Freewill 3: Jacob's Ladder 4: Entre Nous 5: Different Strings 6: Natural Science

RUSH 1980
Overall, a satisfying record, second to 1981's Moving Pictures record. This was a good record for RUSH, more precise song writing, with less filler on the record.


Easily my favorite Rush album
"Spirit of Radio" is obviously a classic Rush song, pointing to the greatness of this band and the skill with which they play, and "Freewill" is certainly a testament to the indomitable will of the human spirit. Yeah, Moving Pictures had all the hits and went like quadruple platinum or something like that, but Permanent Waves I think is the better record of the two, friendlier, warmer, less jaded. But for me, what made this record great was "Jacob's Ladder," an unbelievable piece of music that starts of slow and turns into a real barnstormer of a song, wreaking havoc on the listener as it fades from uptempo to lighter in the space of minutes, succeeding musically where previous songs like "Hemispheres" failed, in that it creates an almost orchestral type of sound that describes what happens during a thunderstorm. I wish this band would play that song in their live shows, it would be the sweetest thing on the face of the earth if they did that. I also love "Natural Science," which also builds up and turns into another pulsing Rush epic. Say what you want about Neil Peart's lyrics, the man is a total master of the drum kit, and it is certainly in evidence here. Tight band, tight drummer, nothing sketchy on this album.


Possibly Rush's Best Album
I saw this tour at the old Palladium in NYC as well as Nassau Colliseum. Well it's time to give my age away. Besides that, this is one heck of album. Every track is perfect. This is a true, start to finish album. These days I'm into philosophy and movies like "The Secret" and books like "The Logical Meaning of God" so the song "Free Will" has a dramatic impact now more than it ever did before.

"Natural Science" is nothing short of epic. This is one example why Rush is prog-rock royalty. Peart's lyrics in this song and throughout the entire album are indeed poetic. "Jacob's Ladder" is another epic piece of story telling showcasing the musical talent of this trio. Some of Lifeson's best work is on Permanent Waves. Peart and Lee are relentless throughout.

I never tire of this masterpiece. This is a must own album.


The best Rush album ever...and that's saying something
Natural Science is my favorite Rush song ever and the Spirit of Radio and Freewill are all time classics. This is my favorite Rush album ever. The lyrics and musicianship of this record are incredible

Natural Science (which is even better performed live) was a slap at the forgettable "New Wave" music of the era and at the music critics (whom Rush has never been a favorite of) that by and large dismissed them, probably because Peart's individualism clashed with their own individual philosophies.


The Spirit of Rush
They both are amazing and were important songs for Rush. OK, most of you have heard the song "The Spirit of Radio" and probably also the song "Freewill". Their commercial success starts from this album - still I have to notice that their first albums were powerful too - especially "2112" and "A Farewell to Kings". Well, this album is not as progressive as their earlier ones - I mean that there's no 20-minute songs. The longest track in this album is the closing track "Natural Science" which is 9 minutes 16 seconds. It is enough said that all the tracks in this album are great songs, and great also when they are played live. This album should be in every Rush fan's top5!
Stars: Freewill, The Spirit of Radio, Natural Science.


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