PERMANENT WAVES

I first bought this album on its day of release, January 1, 1980, and even though I absolutely love the followup release, Moving Pictures, I feel that this album was not only a watershed work for this incredible band, I also feel that it was also their swan song, as nothing of their post-Moving Pictures albums could even come close to the magnificence of this gem. I think most of you would agree with me ; that's why you are reading this on a prog website, instead of an eighties pop website, resplendant with hints of fake drums, over-processed guitars and cheap-sounding keyboards like the DX7. (things that, yes, even Rush themselves, have willingly been guilty of with such low points as "Grace Under Pressure", "Power Windows", and, *gasp*, "Hold Your Fire." What were they thinking with that one?).

I give it a five star review not so much for its techincal merits (of which it overflows with), but for what this album means to me, for the final statement it seems to make, as well as for the fact that it is a much tearful (for me) goodbye to the classic prog era of Rush. The first two tracks do have their pop moments, but overall, the prog elements far outweigh the pop elements. "Natural Science" is their Magnum Opus because nothing that they will do after that time will ever stand against it, period. Yes, "The Camera Eye" was a long song, and yes, it was great. It had its strengths. However, it lacks the passion, skill, and attention to detail (both musically and lyrically) that "Natural Science" has to offer. Just play them both and I hope you'll see what I mean. The long effect of the crashing, then fading, tide at the end of the track is possibly the most perfect ending for any album. As the tide fades, so does Rush's brief, yet maginificent, reign as one of the last of a long line of kings in the 70's era of classic prog rock.

I also saw Rush live when they toured to support this album. Not only was it my favorite concert of all the shows of theirs I've seen, (I've seen Rush live on every tour from the "2112" tour through the "Signals" tour), the "Permanent Waves" tour was also a kind of farewell of sorts. It was the last time that Rush would play the entire "2112" epic live (for 16 years, and even then they had to play it in a different key because Geddy couldn't hit those high notes anymore), as well as many other songs from the classic songbook, such as "Anthem", "Bastille Day", as well as the entire "Cygnus X-1" saga. It was also the last tour where Geddy Lee really belted (screamed) out the vocals, and the classic songs sounded no different than their studio versions. He started to tone down the vocals during the "Moving Pictures" tour. Listen to the live version of "Freewill" from "Exit...Stage Left." I'm sorry, but Geddy's passionate vocals were a big part of what made Rush, Rush.

If I were ever asked what I would want played on my deathbed, as the last music I would ever hear, I would say play me "Permanent Waves." If that doesn't sum up my feelings for the album in a sentence, I don't know what else would. Cheers!