Permanent Waves [Remaster] - Rush (CD 1997)

A near perfect album. There, I ve said it. I ve placed the bar pretty high, I know. But this album really is that good (only Moving Pictures is better). This album blends radio friendly, commercial music with Rush s stylistic, art rock like no other. That can be good or bad, depending on your preference. Songs like Freewill and Spirit of Radio are perfect radio tunes with straightforward messages and catchy hooks and riffs. Rush finally proves they can create songs a radio station will like. After so many albums filled with weighty themes and complex musical movements, I m sure many fans of lighter music had written Rush off as a band that takes itself too seriously.

But that doesn t mean they ve given up on music with depth. Entre Nous and Natural Science are as serious as any song Rush has ever created. These songs delve into themes like biology, evolution and power with a vengeance. Nothing is sacred with these guys, is it?

Spirit of Radio:
A song that celebrates the distribution of music via radio almost free just can t be bad. It is also the perfect opener to an album. Peppy and light with lyrics that make you want to say, yeah, radio really is pretty cool . Alex s hooks and licks are so catchy you just can t help mimicking them by humming and rolling your tongue. And the melody is as crisp as an October morning. It sticks in your head for hours after a good listen.

Freewill:
Definitely one of my favorite Rush tunes. The message of follow your own mind cannot be repeated too often in my opinion. Amazing how this band s music can often be a ray of light to our own ignorance-darkened society. And did I mention the music? More catchy riffs from Alex and powerful drums from Neil. Geddy, already a vocal god, continues to reach new heights delivering Neil s insightful lines.

Jacob s Ladder, Entre Nous and Different Strings:
These songs all exist in the gap between commercial heavy rock and stylistic rock opera. None are on the same scale as Rush s many suites, but all contain elements of mystical themes and abstract representation. Eccentric rock is the best description I can come up with. All I know for sure is that they are brilliant pieces all. The blend of restrained rock progressions highlighted by synthesizer harmonies makes it easy for me to get lost in the extended instrumentals lines. Few bands produce instrumental music with this kind of complexity. But don t allow the music to distract you from Neil s poetic lyrics. Read them over and over again. The depth of meaning grows deeper with time. Themes such as diversity and identity are handled with such maturity the words seem to be lifted from some wizened philosopher s journal. And delivered by Geddy s strong and subtle vocals, the words make a music all their own. I could easily enjoy them without the benefit of music, but then I d miss out on all those great instrumentals.

Natural Science:
Only a three-part suite, but nonetheless a powerfully written and composed piece. Nature, evolution and the scientific method are expertly explored by this collection. Like the rhythm of the sea itself, these songs alternate between frenzied and serene progressions. Enjoy this little artistic melody, music fans, because henceforth, Rush goes commercial. Yes, there are still some eccentric tunes ahead, but no more suites and precious few complex compositions. Like the last loop in a roller coaster, the most thrilling part of Rush s exotic career is over. Some great music lies ahead, but from here on it s of a different breed.

Permanent Waves comes close to being my favorite Rush album, and it may have been if Moving Pictures hadn't been my first experience with Rush. There isn t a weak bar of music on the whole album. And it is less intimidating than Hemisphere s, 2112 and Caress of Steel, so even casual fans of Rush should have no problem absorbing this music.