Rush was a Canadian rock band formed in Toronto in 1968, consisting of Geddy Lee (bass, vocals, keyboards, composer), Alex Lifeson (guitars, composer), and Neil Peart (drums, percussion, lyricist). After its formation in 1968, the band went through several configurations before arriving at its classic power trio lineup with the addition of Peart in 1974, who replaced original drummer John Rutsey right after the release of their self-titled debut album, which contained their first radio hit, “Working Man“. This lineup had remained intact for the duration of the band’s career.
Rush achieved commercial success in the 1970s with several albums, including Fly by Night, (1975), 2112 (1976), A Farewell to Kings (1977) and Hemispheres (1978). The band’s rise in popularity continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with some albums charting highly in both Canada and the US, including Permanent Waves (1980), Moving Pictures (1981), Signals (1982) and Counterparts (1993). Rush continued to record and perform until 1997, after which the band entered a four year hiatus due to personal tragedies in Peart’s life. The trio regrouped in 2001 and released three more studio albums: Vapor Trails (2002), Snakes & Arrows (2007), and Clockwork Angels (2012). Rush ceased large-scale touring at the end of 2015, and Lifeson announced in January 2018 that the band would not continue.[9][10] On January 7, 2020, Peart died of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer at the age of 67.[11]
Rush is known for its musicianship, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy and philosophy. The band’s style changed over the years, from a blues-inspired hard rock beginning, later moving into progressive rock, then a period marked by heavy use of synthesizers, before returning to guitar-driven hard rock since the end of the 1980s. The members of Rush have been acknowledged as some of the most proficient players on their respective instruments, with each winning numerous awards in magazine readers’ polls.
Rush ranks 88th in the U.S. with sales of 25 million albums[12] and industry sources estimate their total worldwide album sales at over 40 million as of 2005. Rush has been awarded 14 Platinum and 3 multi-Platinum albums in the US[13] plus 17 Platinum albums in Canada. Rush was nominated for seven Grammy Awards,[14] won several Juno Awards, and won an International Achievement Award at the 2009 SOCAN Awards.[15] The band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.[16][17]
Discography:
Bass, Vocals, Keyboards (1968-1969, 1969-2018)
See also: Geddy Lee, ex-Judd, ex-Ogilvie, ex-The Big Dirty Band, ex-The Dusty Coconuts, ex-Yes (live)
Alex Lifeson
Guitars (1968-1969, 1969-2018)
See also: Victor, ex-Hadrian, ex-The Big Dirty Band, ex-The Projection
Neil Peart
Drums (1974-2018)
(R.I.P. 2020) See also: ex-J.R. Flood
Past Members:
| John Rutsey | Drums (1968-1969, 1969-1973, 1974) |
| (R.I.P. 2008) See also: ex-Hadrian, ex-The Projection | |
| Jeff Jones | Vocals, Bass (1968) |
| Joe Perna | Vocals, Bass (1969) |
| See also: ex-Hadrian | |
| Lindy Young | Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards (1969) |
| See also: ex-Hadrian | |
| Mitch Bossi | Guitars (1971) |
| Jerry Fielding | Drums (1973) |
| Side A | |||
| 1. | The Spirit of Radio | 04:59 | Show lyrics |
| 2. | Freewill | 05:25 | Show lyrics |
| 3. | Jacob’s Ladder | 07:31 | Show lyrics |
| Side B | |||
| 4. | Entre nous | 04:38 | Show lyrics |
| 5. | Different Strings | 03:52 | Show lyrics |
| 6. | Natural Science | 09:17 | Show lyrics |
| 35:42 |
batsival.com 
Iron Wizard, May 31st, 2017
Prior to Permanent Waves, Rush’s trademark style involved sprawling twenty minute epics consisting of multiple distinct sections, avant-garde instrumentation, and a sound that, while great, would be considered too “stoner” for any radio appeal. While there was a prior flirtation with accessibility, Rush’s definitive incarnation involving short, yet musically complex and lyrically cerebral songs had not come close to full fruition until the release of Permanent Waves.
Upon hitting “play”, one’s ears are pleased by Alex Lifeson’s instantly recognizable intro to “Spirit of the Radio”. This song epitomizes mid period Rush. The structure retains some unorthodox elements that make it extremely hard to play on guitar, but there is also a radio friendly element here. Fortunately, it does not overtake the music, and it remains “progressive” enough to suit those who enjoyed the band’s earlier material. This style does not, however, encompass the whole album. There are epics, such as the heavy, foreboding “Jacob’s Ladder” and the pinnacle of the album, the multi-sectioned “Natural Science” which deserves a paragraph of its own. I will get into that later after describing the music on a general level.
All three members do an excellent job at expressing their technical abilities. Some of these songs are quite hard to play, be it on guitar, bass, or drums. Despite the complex chord forms and insane drum fills, the band remains impressively coherent and tight. There is not a fuck up of any kind to be found. Technicality aside, some of these melodies are downright awesome, especially the chorus of the underrated quasi-ballad “Entre Nous”. As I briefly stated in the first paragraph, the lyrics are very cerebral, being philosophical in nature and often quotable. The lyrics of “Spirit of the Radio” create an artistic interpretation of the music industry, and demonstrate a heavy degree of self-awareness, pertaining to the band’s own desire to create a more radio friendly song. Neil Peart often employs alliteration and creative structuring in his lyrics, which make them all the more interesting to read while listening to the music. The production here is also commendable. It is very artful, almost an instrument in itself.
As for the epic closer “Natural Science”, this is one of Rush’s greatest pieces. It begins with the drawn out acoustic intro entitled “Tide Pools” before transitioning into a badass bridge section, which then gives way to a heavier riff that is very conducting to headbanging. This particular song is one of the reasons why Rush has a page here on Metal Archives.
As for all of the Rush albums I’ve heard, I cannot find anything to criticize about Permanent Waves. I often say this and then start bitching about something, but this time, I seriously mean it. This is a perfect album.
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