At the onset of the 1980s, Rush were poised as one of hard rock’s most successful groups. Their album epics established them as cult favorites with a rapidly expanding cult. Their overtly serious lyrics, written by the group’s drummer Neil Peart, led to obsessive discussion among fans and were a point of derision for critics. But what could not be argued was their larger than life sound — other power trios might be as loud, but none were as complex. Alex Lifeson’s guitar was simply massive, essaying classic guitar riffs soon emulated by aspiring actual and air guitarists everywhere, while Peart’s unrestrained drum fills challenged all rock drummers with their liberal use of unusual time signatures. Permanent Waves features several of the group’s essential tunes. “The Spirit of Radio” has become a classic rock staple with its climactic chorus delivering the necessary catharsis. “Freewill” stands as the band’s self-empowerment anthem (Peart is a diehard Ayn Rand disciple) and the expanded tracks — “Jacob’s Ladder,” “Natural Science” — trip out into extended instrumental passages that are among the most nuanced in rock. Rush managed to be progressive without losing their core appeal.

Tracklisting

1. Original Album
2. The Spirit Of Radio (4:54)
3. Freewill (5:22)
4. Jacob’s Ladder (7:50)
5. Entre Nous (4:37)
6. Different Strings (3:50)
7. Natural Science (9:20)
8. Permanent Waves World Tour 1980
9. Beneath, Between & Behind (Live In Manchester)
10. By-Tor & The Snow Dog (Live In London)
11. Xanadu (Live In London)
12. The Spirit Of Radio (Live in Manchester)
13. Natural Science (Live In Manchester)
14. A Passage To Bangkok (Live In Manchester)
15. The Trees (Live In Manchester)
16. Cygnus X-1 (Live In London)
17. Cygnus X-1 Book II (Live In London)
18. Closer To The Heart (Live In Manchester)
19. Jacob’s Ladder (Live In Missouri)
20. Freewill (Live In London)

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