Rush Strikes Platinum on 1980 Album That Folds Pop Elements into Hard-Rock Arrangements: Permanent Waves Includes "The Spirit of Radio" and "Free Will"

Experience Rush's Classic in Audiophile Sound on Mobile Fidelity's Numbered-Edition 24K Gold CD

The first of the band's three consecutive studio masterpieces, Permanent Waves firmly established Rush as a band whose appeal went far beyond what had been thought to be an audience mostly comprised of music nerds, mathematics professors, and science-fiction freaks. Anchored by the sizzling “The Spirit of Radio” and assertive “Free Will,” each longtime radio standards, the record found the group folding pop sounds of the era (namely, reggae-infused accents and energetic hooks) into its hard-rock template. The moves were a stroke of genius.

Shorter song lengths, space-age Moog keyboards, and uncongested arrangements translated into catchier material—and announced the beginning of Rush’s transition away from complex prog and towards synthesized rock. Permanent Waves represents the trio’s best balance of both elements. The ageless record is one reason why Rush is finally getting the long-overdue respect its deserved and experiencing a windfall of attention in the mainstream.

Sticklers for precision and perfection, the group demanded nothing less than the best from itself and production team. And there’s no better place to experience it than on Mobile Fidelity’s astounding remaster. Sourced from the original analog tapes, this numbered-edition 24k Gold CD exposes you to just how much detail and information you’ve likely been missing out on hearing.