still fresh after 20+years

This is, in my opinion the quintessential Rush release. It bridges the progressive, rock and roll, and even poppy sides of the Canadian trio in a perfect blend, that is sure to leave the listener pulling this disc off the shelf for many years to come.

The fact that radio has run the opening two tracks into the ground does not lessen or take away the enjoyment of "Spirit of Radio" even after hearing it a trillon times. Alex`s intro is timeless and along with Lee and Pearts masterful interlocking fills makes it easily one of the most recognized rock intro`s in history. And the next track "Freewill", which has also been radioized to the point of making many ill, is still one of the greatest Rush songs ever recorded. Thought provoking lyrics by Peart and the instrumental/guitar solo section in the center is one the bands more challenging musical achievements.

Up next is the "dark and brooding" Jacob`s Ladder. Very tight and logical arrangement, woven into some very odd time signatures and a virtuoso instrumental section. There are many reasons why Neal Peart is considered the professor of the drum kit. This song is one of them.

After the all out prog assualt of Jacob`s Ladder, the disc takes a more poppy turn with Entre Nous and Different Strings. Entre Nous is a very upbeat, and catchy, but easily my least favorite song on the recording. Different Strings is a slower moody song with some nice harmonic work by Alex. While these two songs are by no means bad, they are most likely the reason this disc get`s a 4 and not a five star rating.

The nine minute epic Natural Science closes the disc with another of the bands more challenging and adventurous pieces. A nice acoustic, vocal opens the songs until a beautiful guitar arrangement warps into a roller coaster ride of odd times, and progressive chops. Lifeson solo`s bridge the different sections of the song nicely and the end is a monster of a build up with Peart again demonstrating his total command of the drum kit.

The fact that this cd clocks in at just over 35 minutes amazes me,it really seems alot longer, and it is the only other reason I can think of not to give it a perfect rating. Any new Rush fan or prog rock rock fan in general will like this one for years.

Superb, 4 1/2 stars if I could.

The blazing, famous guitar riff that begins "The Spirit of Radio" lets you know you're in for something entirely different with this record, and indeed on this album, Rush shakes off the last vestiges of their metal youth and fully flowers into maturity.



Maturity in rock tends to mean going the way of "adult contemporary", but its the wrong way to think of this album-- its only with a calm assuredness that comes with experience in any field could such a bold statement be made, while it is the next step in the evolution of the band, they've pretty much abandoned their old song-- gone are the screamed vocals, the thunderous distorted guitar, instead a fully integrated synthesizer sound and expressive vocal takes hold. Not to say mind you that there isn't some incredible power trio work on here-- these guys have not forgotten how to play!



The opening two tracks were the singles from the album, "The Spirit of Radio", with its great intro, killer verses, totally self-assured vocal from Geddy Lee, reggae bridge, and monster guitar solo from Alex Lifeson was and should have been a hit. "Freewill" is a bit different, more riff-based, structure based, also a good song, but not quite reaching the heights of the opener. What follows, however, may have been quite unexpected, "Jacob's Ladder"-- calm, patient, building tension. Synth washed, with some great subtle drums, and really made possible in this more subtle manner because of Lee's confident vocal delivery. Its really amazing listening to this album against the older ones to see just how much he's matured over the first several years of Rush's career. "Jacob's Ladder" is also the first signpost in the next direction the band would take, where synthesizers and keyboards become as important as guitars to the band's music.



The album does kind of drift a bit after "Jacob's Ladder", neither "Entre Nous" or "Different Strings" are terribly memorable (the former does have a really heartfelt vocal delivery of sweet lyrics by drummer Neil Peart, but really isn't much to note). In many ways, these, like the three that proceed them, are Rush feeling out the future.



"Natural Science" is a bit different, and over the previous couple tracks, a bit better-- as close to a return to the older sound as this album gets, it churns and boils and overflows, and like the epics one earlier albums, does have sections, but like the rest of this album, it has that confidence of delivery that prevents them from getting too self-indulgent.



"Permanant Waves" is by a band that's been there, done that, and kept moving, only without a doubt they've hit their stride now, there's precious little thats not superb here.

the perfect companion to Moving Pictures

The songs on this cd are all classic Rush songs, several of them still giving fans excitement at live shows. Not as perfectly structured as Moving Pictures, but one definitely has to listen to the cds in conjunction with one another. I don't think this album has aged as well as some of their others, but it is essential and one of their best. The song "The Spirit of Radio" was their first real hit, and this cd marks the point when they had their first popular success (aside from 2112, which was just a first step) Pick it up.



Other good cds from this era of Rush are: 2112, A Farewell to Kings (which is very well liked), Hemispheres (not as good, but similar), this album, and Moving Pictures (their peak album)