PERMANENT WAVES

Yet ANOTHER amazing Rush album. Here Rush began their approach to more commercial material (still great though). The album starts off with the hit single "The Spirit of Radio' which has some great jazz influences. It also has a great melody, great ending solo as well. The album continues with what I find to be a slightly overrated song, Freewill. It is just kind of boring to me kind of. Excellent solo though. Jacob's Ladder is the real highlight of this album. Few Lyrics, but tons of music. It tells the story of a big storm. It starts off kind of ominous and mellow, then it starts rocking. What with all the great riffs, I can actually imagine a storm in my head. Near the middle it goes mellow again with great synth lines from Geddy. Then it ends with the truly awesome epicness that gives you the feeling that all song endings should give you. You know a song is good when it gives you goosebumps.

The album continues with Entre Nous, a typical Rush song, still good though. Different strings is the weakest track, although it has great Peart lyrics, with some great Piano played by Hugh Syme, I think. The album closes with the epic Natural Science, with a truly memorable song structure. It goes from a mellow yet ominous acoustic Intro, to the hard and heavy middle verse, then it closes with the uplifting final Verse. Really great song.

This album is great. Almost as good as Moving Pictures, but not quite there. Highlights: The Spirit of Radio, Jacob's Ladder, and Natural Science. All the songs are good though.