Permanent Waves reminds me of the snow storms I used to experience when I first heard it in the frozen cold of an Upper Michigan winter. Spirit of Radio and Freewill were radio staples at the time, but Jacob's Ladder was the soundtrak to the huge, dark, snow engorged storm clouds of the winter. The throbbing bass line chugged in a JAWS like menacing pulse.
Natural Science, my favorite track, rivals any "epic" prog out there, from King Crimson to Yes. It's got some of the best lyrics written. By far their best musical display.
Muscular and melodic. Permanent Waves will always be my favorite Rush album simply because it is connected to me in a special way. Posted Thursday, December 11, 2003, 18:31 EST |
This is when the early fans started to wonder why a band commits Hara-Kiri, as the sound had changed drastically.
We all had to admit that Geddy Lee could not go on screaming like the madman he appeared to non-fans so he had to change his singing for his own throat's sake. But did they have to change their music so much? As history will point out , they were right because every album brought new fans even though the older ones were bemused.
Only two tracks can be likened to the previous Hemispheres, and this would be the cool and rather calm Jacob's Ladder clearly a highlight and the three part mini-suite Natural Science (especially the last movement) being the other climax. the rest of the tracks were either meant at radio airplay (Spirit of Radio - In Toronto this meant 102.1 FM) or filler such as Entre Nous.
A rather uneven and transitional album. Posted Tuesday, February 03, 2004, 10:48 EST |
Compared to "Hemispheres", this record is just a bit less progressive, being quite complex rythmic hard rock. The electric guitar has a bit less of the overdrive effect than on the "Hemispheres" album.
The keyboards are very simple and are rather in the background, and they do not take very much room. On the catchy "Spirit of the Radio", there is a pleasant reggae part, and you can hear a rythmic PIANO on the song. "Free Will" has an OUTSTANDING complex bass part.
"Different Strings" is a more mellow track full of melodic acoustic guitar, PIANO and relaxing lead vocals, ending with a slow moaning guitar solo. The last track, "Natural Science", is one of the best RUSH track ever recorded: it is very progressive, structured and it has varied themes; the instruments, especially the bass and drums, are very complex. This record, coming right before "Moving Pictures", announces a bit how the lead guitar will sound like.
Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2004, 18:08 EST |
6...
Yes, six great reasons to own this record. I know my Rush, and this one's a keeper. A different approach but the same comforting warmth.
Rush knows what the're doing. For them, 1980 was a great year. They made a solid statement with duo Farewell/Hemispheres and now, they headed for new lands.
But they brought luggage. That's what cool with Rush, the changes are made not drastically. They give you time to breathe and acclimate with their art.
Great way to keep the ones you love close to you. That includes me. I still see myself listening that wonderful record in high school, in my crappy Sanyo walkman.
I didn't even had it on cd. Except for Jacob's Ladder (a real treat), the whole album is positive and upright. Peart's lyrics are talking about understanding and emotional movement.
Yay! And the album ends up with a song that aged so well, it's almost unbeleivable it was written 24 years ago: 'Natural Science'. For those who heard it live, it's a perfect 10 in 10 minutes.
Rush really got forward in accesible songwriting and performance. A great place to start for the Rush middle-period. A perfect blend or light prog and rock.
This album cannot deceive you. It would be illogical when everything falls into place in such a perfect precision. Welcome in the 80's.
..but in the right way.
Posted Tuesday, June 01, 2004, 19:46 EST |
It's a new RUSH! Well, not really- the excellent "Jacob's Ladder" and "Natural Science" give us some continuity with the hard progressive rock, but the accessible immediacy of the refined. "Spirit of Radio" is the most direct song they've done, focusing on the music and ironically becomes their most succesful hit (at that point).
Likewise, "Freewill" sees Peart refining his songcraft and philosophical leanings, and "Entre Nous" brings more emotional depth to a band which had, at best, 'uncomplicated' romantic compositions. "Different Strings" is even more telling a glimpse- we see the maturity and their instrumental discipline to the tighter tracks, and still managed to break new ground along the way. Second only to "Moving Pictures" as the band's most effective song-driven album, this one is a great introduction to RUSH and full of wonderful moments.
1980-81 is Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004, 07:23 EST |
Knock this album at your peril! OK Permanent Waves marked a move from long epic tracks content.' Spirit of the Radio' encapsulates what short Rush songs are all about and Jacob's Ladder builds to be epic in it's own unique way.
" different Strings' has to be one of Rush's Posted Tuesday, September 07, 2004, 03:56 EST |
Rush dont get much better than this. 'Permenant waves' saw Rush coming down to Earth, anything. Musicianship as ever is superb, and the music inspirational.
'The spirit of Radio' still makes me smile, and glow with annoying optimism and positivity even these days. If Here we see all three of them exploding in an exciting frenzy of musical wizadry, the likes of which I cant recall hearing on any other album by any other band. 'Jacobs Ladder' is one of two more lengthy conceptual tracks on PW.
It brims over with moody time signature changes, and perfectly conjures up the intensity felt before, during and after the mother of all storms. 'Entre Nous' is a bit weak, I always skip it, and I rarely skip Rsh tracks. The only reason I refuse to give this album less than five stars, is the classic and flawless nature of everything else on it.
This album is a classic rock album and should be recognised as such. 'Natural Science' is one of Rush's best lengthy tracks, and has to be heard live to This is an album for lovers of excellent, heartfelt, brilliantly performed music.
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