Permanent Waves (1980)
1.The Spirit of Radio
2.Free Will
3.Jacob's Ladder
4.Entre Nous
5.Different Strings
6.Natural Science
It’s tempting to think that somewhere around the sessions for this record, someone in the band—maybe all three—looked around and realized that things were starting to shift. The old progressive titans—Yes, Gentle Giant, King Crimson—were either breaking up or fading into obscurity. Audiences were drifting elsewhere. Punk had already kicked in the door, and now New Wave was painting the walls. And while the band wouldn’t fully pivot toward those sounds just yet, Permanent Waves is the clear beginning of a new chapter. The capes and side-long epics were folded up and set aside. The result? An album that still rocks, but with a slightly different tilt.
Right out of the gate comes The Spirit of Radio, which is about as close to a mission statement as this band ever got. It’s fast, punchy, filled with off-kilter lyrics and time signatures—and yet still wildly accessible. It also happens to be one of the greatest songs in their entire catalog. It’s hard to imagine anyone claiming allegiance to the band and not embracing this one. And if that somehow wasn’t enough, they follow it immediately with Freewill, another staple that punches just as hard. The intricate instrumental break in the middle remains a clinic in musical interplay, and they’d continue to pull it off on stage well into their later years.
Other areas of the record sees a bit of a return to their more expansive tendencies, but with a far tighter rein. Jacob’s Ladder and Natural Science clock in at seven and nine minutes respectively, but both move with a sense of purpose. The former builds gradually with atmospheric tension, while the latter explodes in waves of controlled chaos. Both tracks are fan favorites, and rightfully so. Long, yes—but never bloated.
Nestled between the heavyweights are a couple of more restrained efforts. Entre Nous is the band’s version of a radio single—well-constructed, melodic, and clearly designed for wider appeal. It doesn’t quite rise to the level of the album’s best moments, but it’s a solid track nonetheless. Different Strings follows and offers a rare lyrical outing from Geddy Lee. It’s a quieter, more introspective piece that doesn’t demand much but holds up well enough. Credit where it’s due: Lee handles the lyrics surprisingly well, even if the song doesn’t leave a huge impression.
Permanent Waves was not a commercial juggernaut, but it did crack the U.S. Top 5—an impressive feat for a band that had yet to become a household name. And deservedly so. This was a leaner, more focused version of the band. The fantasy narratives were giving way to more grounded themes. The studio trickery was being replaced with a sharper edge. They were evolving again, and this time, they brought nearly everyone along for the ride.
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