PERMANENT WAVES

This is in my Top 5 Rush albums, and possibly in my top 50 albums of all time. This is part of the Chapter 2 phase of Rush, where they are making their most proggy albums. Of course, the first two albums of that era are more overtly prog than the second 2, but all great prog, nonetheless.

Let's hit it!

Track 1 ? The Spirit of Radio

This is my gateway Rush song. Always one of my favorites. The pull-off pattern that Alex plays to start off the track always reminds me of radio waves coming off of a giant transmitter tower. Geddy & Neil are so tight on their accents, that I don't think an atom could squeeze in between. Then we get the big rockin' riff followed by the chord progression for the verses with signature Lifeson chord voicings. Return to the pull-offs with Geddy's amazing high vocals. Another verse with the same progression but played heavier. Then an instrumental bridge in 5-4 time. The "turnaround" that leads to the reggae section is nearly impossible to play for anyone but those 3 guys. The juxtaposition of the reggae vs the heavy riff is just mind-blowing. Alex then graces us with a fantastic wah-wah solo. This song will always be quintessential RUSH to me.

Track 2 - Freewill

With a rhythm that alternates between 6-4 and 7-4, how could it be anything BUT prog. Yet these guys make those complex rhythms radio friendly. Amazing. Neil's existential lyrics are, of course, incredible. The sound of this track is very consistent with Spirit of Radio. Constantly shifting time signatures remain the name of the game throughout this song. Then we hit the guitar solo. The rhythm bed that Geddy & Neal lay down provides an amazing palette for Alex to paint his guitar solo upon. The solo section just GROOVES! Dear Lord! The vocals following the solo! Geddy said the first time he sang them live he had a headache for a week! Too high, even for Geddy!

Track 3 - Jacob's Ladder

This track is pure sublime prog. With Neil's marching band style snare and the (once again) shifting meter signatures it is deceptively complex. When it opens up to Alex's signature chord voicings, it's just a great tension release. I love the way that the instrumental section builds, and Geddy's synth gradually builds its way in. The synth takes over in the following quiet segment. To be joined by Geddy's vocals with effects on it. The guitar part that follows is so cool. It begins muted and then becomes more intense as we go on. Then the big morse code style power chords lead us to the big finish! This is a top-notch prog song and seems to be under-appreciated in the Rush catalog. One of my favorites.

Track 4 - Entre Nous

This one got lots of radio airplay in the Tampa area as I was growing up. I love the grand intro, and the rhythmic verses mixed with the smooth melodic choruses. While it's probably the most "basic" song on the album, I've always loved it. Once again Lifeson's signature chord voicings are very prominent.

Track 5 - Different Strings

This one is a mellow ballad. I'd say it's the most low-key song on the album. It reminds me a bit of the songs on side 2 of 2112, but a bit more evolved. Nice Lifeson solo at the end.

Track 6 - Natural Science

The closing epic. We begin with gentle water sounds and a distant sounding guitar and vocals. Then we eventually come to a great speedy guitar riff, before opening up into big chords and great bass & drums. The bridge is exciting with the return of the riff. We have a high-powered guitar solo from Alex. At about 5:10 we get a steady marching beat, interspersed with vocal sections with a different rhythm. Then we get a second Lifeson solo. Great drum fills from the professor as we reach the conclusion of the song which fades out with sound effects.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

Great album! Highly recommended. No bad songs at all. But still not quite a perfect score. 4.75 out of 5. (But I'm clocking 5-stars, because PA doesn't allow partial points and it's much closer to a 5 than a 4).

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