PERMANENT WAVES

It's not correct to indicate Permanent Waves as an album where Rush leave the prog-rock structures. Because those structures are still present and not less then the last three album 2112, A Farewell To Kings and Hemispheres. But surely is right to say that it is the first step to a more radio-friendly sound. Songs such as The Spirit Of Radio, Freewill and Entre Nous are good to be played on the radio. But also these songs have complex riffs, solos, changes of tempo and melodies in a perfect prog-rock style! But there are still lomng songs such as Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science where atmospheres and passages are il full 70's prog-rock style.

But we're very far from hard rock influences and there is more synthesizer.

This is one of my favourite by Rush and the main reason is the high variety it can offer. Composed of 6 songs, every songs seems different from each other. The Spirit Of Radio is a very good song with complex passages changes of tempo and some little keyboard inserts... and also a reggae-like part! The beginning of Freewill could have inspired a lot of musician of modern prog rock; it is a good song with a good rythm and good synth backgrounds... and also a good instrumental parts were a great bass line is the background of a great guitar solo. Jacob's Ladder is one of the best song Rush have ever written! It has got epic and dark atmosphere with a good work of the synthesizers. Entre Nous is a easy song that alternates traditional guitar riffs, parts with acoustic guitars and hard synths. Different Strings is a melodic ballad with soft guitars and piano inserts played by Hugh Syme who already collabored with them playing mellotron in Tears from the 2112 album. Natural Science starts with the sound of a river with soft acoustic guitars followed by complex and speed guitar riffs and also keyboard background and some heavy synth.

Simply a masterpiece by Rush! But listen to it only after you've listened to the last three masterpieces!