Rush - Permanent Waves

Since Neil Peart joined the band in time for 1975's Fly by Night, Rush had been experimenting and growing musically with each successive release. By 1980's Permanent Waves, the modern sounds of new wave (the Police, Peter Gabriel, etc.) began to creep into Rush's sound, but the trio still kept their hard rock roots intact. The new approach paid off -- two of their most popular songs, the "make a difference" anthem "Freewill," and a tribute to the Toronto radio station CFNY, "The Spirit of Radio" (the latter a U.K. Top 15 hit), are spectacular highlights. Also included were two "epics," the stormy "Jacob's Ladder" and the album-closing "Natural Science," which contains a middle section that contains elements of reggae. Geddy Lee also began singing in a slightly lower register around this time, which made their music more accessible to fans outside of the heavy prog rock circle. The album proved to be the final breakthrough Rush needed to become an arena headliner throughout the world, beginning a string of albums that would reach inside the Top Five of the U.S. Billboard album charts. Permanent Waves is an undisputed hard rock classic, but Rush would outdo themselves with their next release. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Moseley Assistant, Mixing Assistant Alex Lifeson Guitar (12 String), Pedals, Guitar, Guitar (12 String Acoustic), Pedal Steel, Guitar (12 String Electric), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Craig Milliner Mixing Assistant, Assistant Deborah Samuel Photography Erwig Chuapchuadua Guitar (Steel), Drums (Steel) Fin Costello Photography Flip Schulke Photography Geddy Lee Vocals, Mini Moog, Bass, Mixing Assistant, Oberheim, Moog Synthesizer, Guitar (Bass), Assistant, Synthesizer, Guitar, Keyboards Hugh Syme Design, Cover Art Concept, Guest Appearance, Piano, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Keyboards, Concept Neil Peart Tympani [Timpani], Concept, Crotale, Orchestra Bells, Art Direction, Cover Art Concept, Drums, Bell Tree, Triangle, Wind Chimes, Timbales, Tubular Bells Paul Northfield Engineer Peter George Collaboration Ray Danniels Management Robbie Whelan Assistant Engineer, Assistant Rush Arranger, Producer Terry Brown Engineer, Arranger, Mixing, Producer