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For years during October I've played guitar at an outside haunted woods, it's usually on a Friday and Saturday night for about 6 hours each, groups of 5 or 10 usually come through at a time every couple of minutes and as they approach I play something like Halloween or Exorcist theme at a low volume and right when they get to me I hit the toggle switch on the guitar and start shredding at max volume and many riffs off this album are some of the ones I play, but I'll do it in a speed metal thrashing kind of way, people love it, I also do a lot of Black Sabbath riffs the same way
This (similar to By-Tor and the Snowdog) is an example of a composition where Neil wrote some lyrics to describe a scene. Geddy and Alex then wrote music to "illustrate" the scene Neil described. Very cinematic writing. You can tell on this record that Neil was getting into alliteration "bright unbroken beams" "shifting shafts of shining" (or "machinery making modern music). With regard to the bass sound during the into, while it "could" have been a pick, it was most likely Geddy using a fingernail (long and tough fingernail!) while muting the strings. Lots of alternating time signatures on this one! And as Rush does so well, you don't really know it's changing time signatures unless you count it out. The average listener would just groove to the music as it all sounds very natural. Oh, and this was the first "real" concert tour I ever went to! I was 13 years old? Permanent Waves Tour Sam Houston Colosseum. I've seen every tour since!
So, Jacobs Ladder. In 16 concerts over 31 years, I finally got to see them play it live in 2015 on their last tour😳😢😓It was spectacularly, magnificently splendid. Wish I could have seen them more than once on that tour but alas it was not to be.🤘🖖✌️🎸🎹🥁🎤🥇🇨🇦🎼🔥👍👌
This is sort of a hidden gem in the Rush discography...really cool song. They played it during the final tour and there's a good video of the performance on YT
His solo tones on this album are awesome, in fact his tone has always been awesome, he somehow always came up with a new tone almost every album and they all sound fantastic (except for the first album). It's one of the most complex things about his playing imo, getting those tones is really tough
I think this is one of their best compositions. It even feels like the storm that it describes. It slides in quietly, hits dramatic peaks, and then slips away. It's perfect!
Alex is woefully underrated as a guitarist. Im a drummer for 36 years now. Neil and Ged are my heros. Neil played a huge part in my approach to drums as a lad of 13 years .. that was 1975. There was nothing or no one who came close. Total inspiration from this band as musicians and humans. RUSH FOREVER! Another great reaction Justin!
Love this song! Just mesmerizing! Jacobs Ladder was played live on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980. Exit Stage Left has a great rendition from that tour. It was retired after that and finally brought back once more for the R40 Tour in 2015. To my knowledge, those are the only tours it was played live. And I missed them both! I only became aware of Rush after Moving Pictures and for some stupid reason I missed the R40 Tour not realizing it would be their last tour. And yes, the synths are coming. Being introduced little by little since Farewell to Kings. Full on synths in 2 more albums.
They also did it on the early Moving Pictures tour in September 80. This is when they were writing the album and playing the early Tom Sawyer version hammering out towards the final version recorded after that month of shows. Then it was dropped till the swan song of a tour
Jacobs does need more than one listen for sure. I can't count the times I've heard it including a few times live, but even now watching and listening to it with you still feels so fresh, just shows you how much of a great composition it is. Side 2 coming O my!!!
After a few videos, I need to mention, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a roll of toilet paper on his desk, handy when one runs out of Kleenex LOL! Thanks again for the memories
Definitely my favorite album of Rush ever 🤘 Every song is awesome on this album. This song is in my head every year at monsoon season here in Arizona totally embodies the feel of building thunderstorms that I experience here. Fantastic! 😄
One of the things I love about Rush, and this song is a great example, is they can play repeated riffs but it doesn't get tiring to my ears because someone usually mixes things up a bit. usually Neil with how he is holding the beat. Love how he doesn't go back to the same beat each verse/chorus. You will really hear a lot of that in Grace Under pressure where his cymbal work is awesome. As for Jacob's Ladder, first time I heard this was Exit Stage Left and this song really stuck with me. The vibe on ESL is very different from All the Worlds a Stage. And I heard it at the time when we didn't have internet and there was still mystery around our favorite bands.
Exit stage left is my go to album I love it have always loved it will always love it. I could listen to it daily and never tire of it. To me that's the epitome of live music. And like you say Neil was a master of taking the same riff over and over but play a back beat that changes it up..
It took me a long time to appreciate this song but eventually it grew on me and now it rankes on the top ten of my Rush list.. A well executed song where all three members shine on their respected instrument.. Glad you dig it.....
This such a cool song. I don’t know of any other rock band who’ve written a song about the gathering & dissipating of a storm. There are no bad songs on the album, but this is one of the best. Next up, side two & “Entre Nous” (“nous” rhymes with “two”).
It was on the radio when this album came out. I’m old enough to remember. Just not played anymore. Radio station managers these last decade or so suck. Same regurgitated songs. If there was any a station that played more variety with the artists, they’d be the top. We used to have a couple in the day but no more.
@@MusicLover-wo7ig Same thing with Circumstances from Hemispheres. Radio stations played the hell out of TheTrees but that song got little love and I liked it just a much.
My two teenagers like Rush too (daughter plays piano and has a bunch of Rush in her playlists, son learned Limelight on guitar, etc), but they don't know all the tunes. She and I were driving east into the mountains out here in CA one morning and there were all these big clouds up ahead and the sun starting to come through them. I threw on Permanent Waves knowing Jacob's Ladder would be on in about 15 minutes. When it came on I paused it and gave my usual nerdy Rush-Dad description of what the song was about as we headed into the clouds. After it was over, she goes "that was amazing." This has always been one of my favs.
Love this song!! So glad I was wrong about you thinking it was "just good". This is a fan favorite and if I'm not mistaken, I believe they only played this during the Permanent Waves tour then not again until R40. This sounds great live!! Looking forward to Entre Nous (as in NEW)! One of my favs.. and soon to be one of yours too, I think. I'm betting you'll like ALL the songs that are left! Be well and God bless.... from Texas!!
Geddy Lee grew out the fingernail on his right index finger so he could emulate the sound of a pick. For me, I love the way "Jacob's Ladder" blends into the first song on side B, "Entre Nous."
I was only 10 then. And it would be another *9 years* before I would get a very first impression of Rush's music, via 'Grace Under Pressure': Instantly hooked and also for life, as it would turn out 😊
Natural Science is such a banger! Watching RUSH perform it live is absolutely incredible. Btw Entre Nous can be pronounced Entre "new". Sounds almost identical.
Two points: 1) Rush were masters of creating musical imagery. 2) People who complain about Synths in later Rush have selective memories and it's not really the Synth but the style they couldn't deal with.
I love how they can turn a simple concept as marveling at the changing of cloud formations and the sun shining through it into an epic piece of music with movements similar to classical compositions. They are 3 very special guys. BTW, I don't comment on every video but I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you're doing with the Rush catalog. I agree that at first, the music is king and should be the primary focus on these reactions. Though, once you're through more of their discography and no doubt a full-fledged rush can at that point, please consider lyrical analysis of these songs. As in getting older and a bit wiser (maybe), I'm realizing now how much his lyrics have influenced my understanding of the world around us. I really do consider Neil Peart as one of the greatest philosophers of our time. Thanks again for putting this together. It's awesome!
this reminds me of Hemispheres with the vocal bridge "i see the god's in battle rage on high..." just like, "all at once the clouds are parted..." there are even nuggets of A Farewell to Kings here with Cygnus X-1 vibes 4:22...ALEX' sound clearly wraps the band all up into one.
Very unique song. I always felt it ended too soon, leaving me wanting more. That "big finish" could have easily gone on another 3 minutes if it had been part of their previous couple of albums. But they were keeping their songs "shorter" now. Side two has two short songs and one longer song in a similar way to side 1. Every one a banger.
Thanks Justin. This track is a bit of a forgotten gem on Permanent Waves. I love the mood created by the guitar and bass, while Neil changes the feeling of each looping riff with his drumming. Lyrics are sparse as the music tells the story. This one is easy to listen to multiple times. You can pronounce the next track "On Trey New" if you like. See you tomorrow.
Not "on-trey new" but "on-truh new" with a light roll on the "r". "On-trey" is spelled entrée and is a completely different word with a different meaning. "Entre nous" means "between us" while "entrée nous" means "enter us" 😮
Some of those synth tones are so Return to Forever with a bit of Spyro Gyra or maybe Ultravox thrown in. All of which were pretty contemporary artists at the time.
I always picture Rush, stoned trying to remember the unison rhythmic progressions when writing this song and laughing their asses off every time someone screws up…
Dipping into the "archives" here. One of my enduring favorites by this band. I never made the association, but it's so true: strong Chick/RTF vibe during the keyboard section. Sounds like something from The Leprechaun or Romantic Warrior.
*Still Get Goose-Bumps Hearing Lerxst's Work On This Track - Such Emotion In This One Of A Kind Solo. This LP, Permanent Waves (1980) & The Next, Moving Pictures (1981) , In My Opinion, Believe They Were At Their Apex; Musical Complexity & Musical/Lyrical Talent (Pre MIDI & Synths) - Especially The Sound Of Pratt's Cherry-Wine Tama Kit & Percussion Ensemble Which Began Changing On Signals (1982). Maybe It's My Bias Because 1981 Is When I Became A RUSHian Citizen. Thank-You For Putting This Together. ☆*
Read the record label to exit stage left. Neil writes something like we didn't change everyone else did. I think he was warning everyone that they were changing their Style. Signals is the big change
Alex said he was real frustrated with some albums because he claims his guitar got crushed too much by synths. I agree with him. Was glad when they cycled back around in 93 with counterparts.
Jacobs Ladder is one of my favorite Neil drumming songs. the rhythms are very repetitive, but his drum fills are different all the way through, and the odd time! it’s was so epic live in R40 mixed with Natural Science, and Cignus X1 Book to intro. I don’t know what he was playing at that point , but the bass tones were so mammoth up to that point. Things changed at Moving Pictures.
There is a video interview here on you tube of Geddy talking about how he plays from a few years ago and he says right near the end that he's never used a pick. But yeah you can get a pick sound on a finger nail on a Ricky.
Rush always sounded like Rush but there is no doubt that they conformed to the trends of their time .. the synth heavy 80s period .. the more grungy 90s period .. it all conforms but they still kept their "Rush" sound throughout.
The great thing about hearing Rush songs like this one for the first time is that there is enough going on that you can really listen to it a bunch of times and still find new things each time. It's definitely so much more than just a hook. Entre Nous is vaguely like "On-tre Noo" Roughly: second e in "Entre" is short like in "let" (but even shorter), the r is that "French r" (we don't have anything like it in English, "ou" is vaguely like the u in in "muse", and don't pronounce the "s" in Nous. (Okay French speakers, I know that's pretty brutal, but it will get you in the ballpark).
Coming from a drummer, Neil's syncopated snare/bass drum notes in the 6/8, 7/8 section coming after the long keyboard section is pure brilliance. Playing across odd times with all that syncopation gives it a disjointed, linear feel, but still has that flow because it's Neil Peart. Thinking Neil used some old math skills in that section. lol
Many people will argue that each Rush album got better up through moving pictures, I have a feeling you might agree with that when you're finished with that album. I would say the album with the least amount of guitar is either power windows or hold your fire which came out in 1985 and 1987.
He may have been playing with a pick. I know Geddy thinks highly of Entwistle, who is known for playing with a pick at times (at least early in The Who’s career).
I think Geddy is muting the strings with his palm like a guitar player might. This one they said, was always a challenge to get right live. They played it, but not really so often. It was a big deal when they did.
Permanent Waves is my favorite Rush album. Not a bad song on it. But the highlights for me are this song and Natural Science. I know Spirit of Radio and Freewill are the more radio played songs, but they take a back seat to Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science.
Alex is now getting his due but because of the 2 other guys never really got the props he deserved . Of all bands i have seen live and on video, these dudes always seemed to have as much fun as the crowd
Everyone brings their A-game on this one, but side 1 of Permanent Waves is 3 for 3 as far as I'm concerned. Live "Jacob's Ladder" was especially powerful (you can imagine the visuals!) In some ways it's like Rush' only true tone poem, the way the themes and melodies flow and cross connect. It just *feels* different than other Rush songs, more experimental and progressive even than something like "Hemispheres". They somehow took ideas from Yes and Genesis like the synth/guitar counterpoint lines toward the end and punched it up and made it sound relevant for the early 80s. That was pretty impressive in my book.
You said Alex has alot going on holy shit. Just kidding next time surprise everyone with a Alex t-shirt with his photo on it.thanks for doing this look forward to ur reviews.
Rush basically invented math rock with this song. It starts with 11/4. Verse is in 4/4 Long storm section is in 21/4 Synth section is free time Sun peeking section is 13/8 And some other things I haven't figured out. Only Rush could make all that flow and sound natural.
That intro is becoming more refined 🤣👌🏿 Man Alex be exagerating🤣, the 80's had plenty of his guitar. "Mission" from Hold your fire had one of his greatest solos and Dont get me started on Grace under pressures "Afterimage." But thats just my perspective. It'll be interesting to get yours once you get deeper in.
I don't think Geddy ever used a pick, could be wrong but I have never seen it. I do think if you gave Geddy a shoebox strung with rubber bands, he would make it sound amazing.
Not "on-tray new" but "on-truh new" with a light roll on the "r". "On-tray" is spelled entrée and is a completely different word with a different meaning. "Entre nous" means "between us" while "entrée nous" means "enter us" 😮
Very little lyrically... it is basically about the rays of light descending from the clouds...which is a bible reference of sort ... the shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams...I think this song could have been an instrumental...but Geddy's vocals are perfect even in their small amount.
Uh oh... synth, synth, synth... ;) Here we go! LOL Edit: Don't get me wrong. I love the synth era too. However, there are some fans out there that absolutely hate it.
I think all Rush albums are really good to great, but I'm the opposite. It's the 70's records that I don't go back to as often. 80's Rush is the golden era for me and Permanent Waves is where Rush really hit their stride.
@@carlgibbons5777 I have never heard a Rush album I don't like. Yes, I like some better than others. I love the synths in the early/mid 80's albums but I prefer Counterparts to the Late 80's albums. My preferences aside; I am enjoying listening to these albums in their entirety with Justin. Some of them I haven't listened to in ages.
@@shabadoo25 Geddy claims he never uses picks. I have checked and I have never seen anything where he says he does. Found this where he talks about his technique. ua-cam.com/video/-SZbGQ-pTZY/v-deo.html
@@JustinPanariello There used to be a video on Viemo that clearly showed him using a pick during the intro (only) but that seems to have been taken down.
Justin watch the live version from the R40 tour even better live. Rush is better live then there albums which is the opposite of every other band enjoy
Jus want to propose a ldea I grow up rush will be one of my fav band altime must admit like old rush compare to new but aways a fan Here's my idea how about blowing some of ur audiences.mind a true genius I am sure nobody's requesting this band but it seems like ur trying to gain musicians as subscribers and viewing your content so let's blow some minds electric band chick corea ,Dave Eric, frank, and of course John on bass u gotta admit these guys ain't ur garage band my I suggest light years live grp super group come on John with that funky bass and Eric with that sax solo shhhhhh jus would like to see what kind of feedback ull get if anybody's a musician and can tell what great technical music is whether you like this genre of music or not got to give props to where props is rightfully given it's just a thought I I know how much appreciate johns work doesn't get any better then these guys true talent go for it see what happens
I figured you will like this album better than hemispheres. Hemispheres is technically great but this like a farwell to kings has a little more emotion to it. I don’t think your going to dislike any song on this album if so it will be the next one but I don’t see that happening. When you get done with your journey are you going to be making a video of your overall feeling about them?
@@JustinPanariello it is quite the undertaking a few others have tried and didn’t make it. I believe you will be the first to make it all the way through.
In the old Testament, the story of Jacob’s Ladder refers to the vivid, prophetic dream in which Jacob sees a ladder stretching from heaven to earth. The dream not only represented the connection between God and man; it also affirmed Jacob as the father of God’s chosen people, the Israelites.
Great song! Yes, this was when the synth was a side dish and it added a nice dimension. Later it became the main course and that was over powering. Still good songs but a little one sided and now sounds very dated.
oh yeah R40... I love listening to Geddy look and sound in pain hitting those high notes! Luckily this song has a ton of instrumental parts lol ua-cam.com/video/9B6cA1uzh-c/v-deo.html
On Signals maybe, but the guitar is really prominent on Grace Under Pressure. Contains some KILLER guitar solos as well including my favorite Alex solo of all time in Between The Wheels.
@@carlgibbons5777 That's fair. I love GUP. I was thinking generally b/c Alex has killer stuff on every album, but on Signals through HYF, the two lead instruments are bass and keys/synths.
@@estavillo2112 You are right. Alex's role changed a bit in the 80's. It's more support guitar for the arrangements, but a lot of what he does is freaking brilliant/beautiful and has a high goosebump factor. lol Almost ALL my fav Alex solos come from the 80's except maybe Lavilla.
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Thanks for watching my videos! Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel!! I appreciate it!
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For years during October I've played guitar at an outside haunted woods, it's usually on a Friday and Saturday night for about 6 hours each, groups of 5 or 10 usually come through at a time every couple of minutes and as they approach I play something like Halloween or Exorcist theme at a low volume and right when they get to me I hit the toggle switch on the guitar and start shredding at max volume and many riffs off this album are some of the ones I play, but I'll do it in a speed metal thrashing kind of way, people love it, I also do a lot of Black Sabbath riffs the same way
Ii did
I remember playing this song for my mom. I wanted her to hear why I liked Rush so much.
*And Our Mom's Never Got It.*
This (similar to By-Tor and the Snowdog) is an example of a composition where Neil wrote some lyrics to describe a scene. Geddy and Alex then wrote music to "illustrate" the scene Neil described. Very cinematic writing.
You can tell on this record that Neil was getting into alliteration "bright unbroken beams" "shifting shafts of shining" (or "machinery making modern music).
With regard to the bass sound during the into, while it "could" have been a pick, it was most likely Geddy using a fingernail (long and tough fingernail!) while muting the strings.
Lots of alternating time signatures on this one! And as Rush does so well, you don't really know it's changing time signatures unless you count it out. The average listener would just groove to the music as it all sounds very natural.
Oh, and this was the first "real" concert tour I ever went to! I was 13 years old? Permanent Waves Tour Sam Houston Colosseum. I've seen every tour since!
So, Jacobs Ladder. In 16 concerts over 31 years, I finally got to see them play it live in 2015 on their last tour😳😢😓It was spectacularly, magnificently splendid. Wish I could have seen them more than once on that tour but alas it was not to be.🤘🖖✌️🎸🎹🥁🎤🥇🇨🇦🎼🔥👍👌
This is sort of a hidden gem in the Rush discography...really cool song. They played it during the final tour and there's a good video of the performance on YT
The first short solo Alex does, his guitar tone on that is so good...
I love the squeal he lets out right before finishing the solo!
His solo tones on this album are awesome, in fact his tone has always been awesome, he somehow always came up with a new tone almost every album and they all sound fantastic (except for the first album). It's one of the most complex things about his playing imo, getting those tones is really tough
That guitare tone at his first ext at 3:45 of your video where the guitar just cries is in my opinion the best guitar tone ever!
I think this is one of their best compositions. It even feels like the storm that it describes. It slides in quietly, hits dramatic peaks, and then slips away. It's perfect!
Alex is woefully underrated as a guitarist. Im a drummer for 36 years now. Neil and Ged are my heros. Neil played a huge part in my approach to drums as a lad of 13 years .. that was 1975. There was nothing or no one who came close. Total inspiration from this band as musicians and humans. RUSH FOREVER!
Another great reaction Justin!
Love this song! Just mesmerizing! Jacobs Ladder was played live on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980. Exit Stage Left has a great rendition from that tour. It was retired after that and finally brought back once more for the R40 Tour in 2015. To my knowledge, those are the only tours it was played live. And I missed them both! I only became aware of Rush after Moving Pictures and for some stupid reason I missed the R40 Tour not realizing it would be their last tour. And yes, the synths are coming. Being introduced little by little since Farewell to Kings. Full on synths in 2 more albums.
They also did it on the early Moving Pictures tour in September 80. This is when they were writing the album and playing the early Tom Sawyer version hammering out towards the final version recorded after that month of shows. Then it was dropped till the swan song of a tour
Definitely played it when I saw them in 1980. 👍🏻
I saw it performed live on both those tours. It was bloody magnifique!
Jacobs does need more than one listen for sure. I can't count the times I've heard it including a few times live, but even now watching and listening to it with you still feels so fresh, just shows you how much of a great composition it is. Side 2 coming O my!!!
After a few videos, I need to mention, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a roll of toilet paper on his desk, handy when one runs out of Kleenex LOL!
Thanks again for the memories
I've been watching it too, as it slowly shrinks in size....
The imagery through the music of the calm after the storm and the renewed brightness in the sky is just amazing!
Definitely my favorite album of Rush ever 🤘 Every song is awesome on this album. This song is in my head every year at monsoon season here in Arizona totally embodies the feel of building thunderstorms that I experience here. Fantastic! 😄
I saw them play this on the final tour it was amazing. Neil's drum parts are so awesome in this song always loved this song!
One of the things I love about Rush, and this song is a great example, is they can play repeated riffs but it doesn't get tiring to my ears because someone usually mixes things up a bit. usually Neil with how he is holding the beat. Love how he doesn't go back to the same beat each verse/chorus. You will really hear a lot of that in Grace Under pressure where his cymbal work is awesome. As for Jacob's Ladder, first time I heard this was Exit Stage Left and this song really stuck with me. The vibe on ESL is very different from All the Worlds a Stage. And I heard it at the time when we didn't have internet and there was still mystery around our favorite bands.
Exit stage left is my go to album I love it have always loved it will always love it. I could listen to it daily and never tire of it. To me that's the epitome of live music. And like you say Neil was a master of taking the same riff over and over but play a back beat that changes it up..
Repeated riffs are always executed with flare and enhanced by outstanding Peart fills
That's Geddy using his fingernail to sound like a pick. You will hear much more new bass sounds in the later albums. Thanks for what you do, love it.
Again , you are not disappointed , great , we are on track , keep going the best is yet to come
It took me a long time to appreciate this song but eventually it grew on me and now it rankes on the top ten of my Rush list.. A well executed song where all three members shine on their respected instrument.. Glad you dig it.....
This is one of the songs that took a few listens for it to click for me, now it’s one of my favorites.🤘🏻🔥🎧
This such a cool song. I don’t know of any other rock band who’ve written a song about the gathering & dissipating of a storm. There are no bad songs on the album, but this is one of the best. Next up, side two & “Entre Nous” (“nous” rhymes with “two”).
Was always surprised that Entre Nous never become a hit single. It is such a radio friendly song.
It was on the radio when this album came out. I’m old enough to remember. Just not played anymore. Radio station managers these last decade or so suck. Same regurgitated songs. If there was any a station that played more variety with the artists, they’d be the top. We used to have a couple in the day but no more.
Yes, was wondering why though, it never became a big hit. Guess the disc jockeys really can sway the charts.
@@MusicLover-wo7ig Same thing with Circumstances from Hemispheres. Radio stations played the hell out of TheTrees but that song got little love and I liked it just a much.
@@generoberts9151 yep, also remember La Villa Strangiato and later YYZ being played on the radio too.
My two teenagers like Rush too (daughter plays piano and has a bunch of Rush in her playlists, son learned Limelight on guitar, etc), but they don't know all the tunes. She and I were driving east into the mountains out here in CA one morning and there were all these big clouds up ahead and the sun starting to come through them. I threw on Permanent Waves knowing Jacob's Ladder would be on in about 15 minutes. When it came on I paused it and gave my usual nerdy Rush-Dad description of what the song was about as we headed into the clouds. After it was over, she goes "that was amazing." This has always been one of my favs.
That's neat. My teenage music-loving daughter's reaction to Rush is "The music is amazing, but I don't like the voice." Sigh.
Love this song!! So glad I was wrong about you thinking it was "just good". This is a fan favorite and if I'm not mistaken, I believe they only played this during the Permanent Waves tour then not again until R40. This sounds great live!! Looking forward to Entre Nous (as in NEW)! One of my favs.. and soon to be one of yours too, I think. I'm betting you'll like ALL the songs that are left! Be well and God bless.... from Texas!!
Geddy Lee grew out the fingernail on his right index finger so he could emulate the sound of a pick. For me, I love the way "Jacob's Ladder" blends into the first song on side B, "Entre Nous."
Being 15 when this album came out..perfect timing..still my fav..
I was only 10 then. And it would be another *9 years* before I would get a very first impression of Rush's music, via 'Grace Under Pressure': Instantly hooked and also for life, as it would turn out 😊
You must be young. This was me in 83, lol. Except all we had was radio and a record player. Love that song.
I'm lovin your journey to the albums!!!
Awesome song. ! So cool seeing them play it on R40 tour.
Natural Science is such a banger! Watching RUSH perform it live is absolutely incredible. Btw Entre Nous can be pronounced Entre "new". Sounds almost identical.
Hypnotizing.
Great live version on their last R40 tour in 2015. 3 guys in their early 60's absolutely smashing it
So true...so glad I got to share R40 with my 2 sons aged 15 and 11 at the time....they were floored by this one live
Two points: 1) Rush were masters of creating musical imagery. 2) People who complain about Synths in later Rush have selective memories and it's not really the Synth but the style they couldn't deal with.
Yet another masterpiece
Entre Nous is just exquisite.
Please read the lyrics as you listen - they are pure poetry
Love the tone on the
Bass
I love how they can turn a simple concept as marveling at the changing of cloud formations and the sun shining through it into an epic piece of music with movements similar to classical compositions. They are 3 very special guys.
BTW, I don't comment on every video but I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you're doing with the Rush catalog. I agree that at first, the music is king and should be the primary focus on these reactions. Though, once you're through more of their discography and no doubt a full-fledged rush can at that point, please consider lyrical analysis of these songs. As in getting older and a bit wiser (maybe), I'm realizing now how much his lyrics have influenced my understanding of the world around us. I really do consider Neil Peart as one of the greatest philosophers of our time.
Thanks again for putting this together. It's awesome!
Yeah this is really good song. It has a cinematic sound to it and musically paints a picture so I think it’s really cool. As you like to say, dig it!
IMO this is Rush at its pinnacle. You are kinda understanding now why I think this is Rush’s perfect album. Their best.
song needs to be listened to on a killer stereo
this reminds me of Hemispheres with the vocal bridge "i see the god's in battle rage on high..." just like, "all at once the clouds are parted..." there are even nuggets of A Farewell to Kings here with Cygnus X-1 vibes 4:22...ALEX' sound clearly wraps the band all up into one.
Very unique song. I always felt it ended too soon, leaving me wanting more. That "big finish" could have easily gone on another 3 minutes if it had been part of their previous couple of albums. But they were keeping their songs "shorter" now. Side two has two short songs and one longer song in a similar way to side 1. Every one a banger.
I did the fingernail/mute trick for pick sounds as needed when I played bass for a band
Thanks Justin. This track is a bit of a forgotten gem on Permanent Waves. I love the mood created by the guitar and bass, while Neil changes the feeling of each looping riff with his drumming. Lyrics are sparse as the music tells the story. This one is easy to listen to multiple times.
You can pronounce the next track "On Trey New" if you like.
See you tomorrow.
Not "on-trey new" but "on-truh new" with a light roll on the "r". "On-trey" is spelled entrée and is a completely different word with a different meaning. "Entre nous" means "between us" while "entrée nous" means "enter us" 😮
I always thought this song belonged on a movie soundtrack. Cool groove.
Some of those synth tones are so Return to Forever with a bit of Spyro Gyra or maybe Ultravox thrown in. All of which were pretty contemporary artists at the time.
I always picture Rush, stoned trying to remember the unison rhythmic progressions when writing this song and laughing their asses off every time someone screws up…
Dipping into the "archives" here. One of my enduring favorites by this band. I never made the association, but it's so true: strong Chick/RTF vibe during the keyboard section. Sounds like something from The Leprechaun or Romantic Warrior.
*Still Get Goose-Bumps Hearing Lerxst's Work On This Track - Such Emotion In This One Of A Kind Solo. This LP, Permanent Waves (1980) & The Next, Moving Pictures (1981) , In My Opinion, Believe They Were At Their Apex; Musical Complexity & Musical/Lyrical Talent (Pre MIDI & Synths) - Especially The Sound Of Pratt's Cherry-Wine Tama Kit & Percussion Ensemble Which Began Changing On Signals (1982). Maybe It's My Bias Because 1981 Is When I Became A RUSHian Citizen. Thank-You For Putting This Together. ☆*
Read the record label to exit stage left. Neil writes something like we didn't change everyone else did. I think he was warning everyone that they were changing their Style. Signals is the big change
The R40 live dvd version of Jacob's Ladder is really strong...would be great for a reaction.
The drums were brought to the front of every song on this album.
Id venture to say one of the greatest songs about a meteorological phenomenon ever penned. 😊
Alex heard your critique and upped his game for this album. You know about their time machine right?
Well not sure but Geddy grew his index finger nail out. Mute the string with back of your hand and pluck with index finger.
Alex said he was real frustrated with some albums because he claims his guitar got crushed too much by synths. I agree with him. Was glad when they cycled back around in 93 with counterparts.
Jacobs Ladder is one of my favorite Neil drumming songs. the rhythms are very repetitive, but his drum fills are different all the way through, and the odd time! it’s was so epic live in R40 mixed with Natural Science, and Cignus X1 Book to intro.
I don’t know what he was playing at that point , but the bass tones were so mammoth up to that point.
Things changed at Moving Pictures.
There is a video interview here on you tube of Geddy talking about how he plays from a few years ago and he says right near the end that he's never used a pick. But yeah you can get a pick sound on a finger nail on a Ricky.
Rush always sounded like Rush but there is no doubt that they conformed to the trends of their time .. the synth heavy 80s period .. the more grungy 90s period .. it all conforms but they still kept their "Rush" sound throughout.
The great thing about hearing Rush songs like this one for the first time is that there is enough going on that you can really listen to it a bunch of times and still find new things each time. It's definitely so much more than just a hook.
Entre Nous is vaguely like "On-tre Noo" Roughly: second e in "Entre" is short like in "let" (but even shorter), the r is that "French r" (we don't have anything like it in English, "ou" is vaguely like the u in in "muse", and don't pronounce the "s" in Nous. (Okay French speakers, I know that's pretty brutal, but it will get you in the ballpark).
This song is great live, you'll see when you get to Exit Stage Left. Entre Nous is a song they could have charted well IMO if timing was right.
The middle section riff foreshadows Witch Hunt from Moving Pictures, at least to my ears.
Was pretty sure you would like this one. Alex is great on this album. Rush is at its best when all three are in balance like a 3 legged stool.
Thumbs up t the RTF reference.
Coming from a drummer, Neil's syncopated snare/bass drum notes in the 6/8, 7/8 section coming after the long keyboard section is pure brilliance. Playing across odd times with all that syncopation gives it a disjointed, linear feel, but still has that flow because it's Neil Peart. Thinking Neil used some old math skills in that section. lol
The song goes to 5 5 time also
Love the Chick Corea comment
Many people will argue that each Rush album got better up through moving pictures, I have a feeling you might agree with that when you're finished with that album. I would say the album with the least amount of guitar is either power windows or hold your fire which came out in 1985 and 1987.
He may have been playing with a pick. I know Geddy thinks highly of Entwistle, who is known for playing with a pick at times (at least early in The Who’s career).
Hope you have great ear phones for Natural science
I think Geddy is muting the strings with his palm like a guitar player might. This one they said, was always a challenge to get right live. They played it, but not really so often. It was a big deal when they did.
Permanent Waves is my favorite Rush album. Not a bad song on it. But the highlights for me are this song and Natural Science. I know Spirit of Radio and Freewill are the more radio played songs, but they take a back seat to Jacob's Ladder and Natural Science.
Nous = New 👍
Alex is now getting his due but because of the 2 other guys never really got the props he deserved .
Of all bands i have seen live and on video, these dudes always seemed to have as much fun as the crowd
Everyone brings their A-game on this one, but side 1 of Permanent Waves is 3 for 3 as far as I'm concerned. Live "Jacob's Ladder" was especially powerful (you can imagine the visuals!) In some ways it's like Rush' only true tone poem, the way the themes and melodies flow and cross connect. It just *feels* different than other Rush songs, more experimental and progressive even than something like "Hemispheres". They somehow took ideas from Yes and Genesis like the synth/guitar counterpoint lines toward the end and punched it up and made it sound relevant for the early 80s. That was pretty impressive in my book.
Yeah you’re right about the visuals. They did an awesome laser light show with this song when they performed it live.
You said Alex has alot going on holy shit. Just kidding next time surprise everyone with a Alex t-shirt with his photo on it.thanks for doing this look forward to ur reviews.
Rush basically invented math rock with this song.
It starts with 11/4.
Verse is in 4/4
Long storm section is in 21/4
Synth section is free time
Sun peeking section is 13/8
And some other things I haven't figured out.
Only Rush could make all that flow and sound natural.
That intro is becoming more refined 🤣👌🏿 Man Alex be exagerating🤣, the 80's had plenty of his guitar. "Mission" from Hold your fire had one of his greatest solos and Dont get me started on Grace under pressures "Afterimage." But thats just my perspective. It'll be interesting to get yours once you get deeper in.
Best Minimoog tune ever!
I think the picking sound is from Alex doubling the base line - i could be wrong.
I don't think Geddy ever used a pick, could be wrong but I have never seen it. I do think if you gave Geddy a shoebox strung with rubber bands, he would make it sound amazing.
❤ ❤... ❤
Love it! Just for curiosity, was the audio quality in your headphones the same as this video? (it sounds pretty bad here but who cares)
I believe it's pronounced, "on trey new"
"Ontray new" would be close enough 😊
Not "on-tray new" but "on-truh new" with a light roll on the "r". "On-tray" is spelled entrée and is a completely different word with a different meaning. "Entre nous" means "between us" while "entrée nous" means "enter us" 😮
@@neilens1589 - You're correct. What was I thinking?? 🤔 My bad! 👍🏽
@@AnthonyKellett 👍
PW is a killer album. You're right that Alex had a lot going on in it. Signals was Niel's best IMHO
I think Geddy did the "pick " thing(I think I just threw up a little) just for this song, for effect. But normally he's slappin!
Yep i think this is the best song on the
Album ...... still trying to figure out th chord changes inn the intro can u figure it out???
Volume 11 please!
Very little lyrically... it is basically about the rays of light descending from the clouds...which is a bible reference of sort ... the shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams...I think this song could have been an instrumental...but Geddy's vocals are perfect even in their small amount.
Uh oh... synth, synth, synth... ;) Here we go! LOL
Edit: Don't get me wrong. I love the synth era too. However, there are some fans out there that absolutely hate it.
I think all Rush albums are really good to great, but I'm the opposite. It's the 70's records that I don't go back to as often. 80's Rush is the golden era for me and Permanent Waves is where Rush really hit their stride.
@@carlgibbons5777 I have never heard a Rush album I don't like. Yes, I like some better than others. I love the synths in the early/mid 80's albums but I prefer Counterparts to the Late 80's albums. My preferences aside; I am enjoying listening to these albums in their entirety with Justin. Some of them I haven't listened to in ages.
@@danalioto3146 Agree. Counterparts is probably my #6 Rush record right behind Grace and Power Windows that hold down the #4 and #5 spots.
"Is he playing with a pick?"
Yep.. sure is.
Yeah?! Really sounded like it but i've never seen him with a pick before so ???
@@JustinPanariello He uses them for recordings.
@@shabadoo25 Geddy claims he never uses picks. I have checked and I have never seen anything where he says he does. Found this where he talks about his technique. ua-cam.com/video/-SZbGQ-pTZY/v-deo.html
@@JustinPanariello There used to be a video on Viemo that clearly showed him using a pick during the intro (only) but that seems to have been taken down.
Justin watch the live version from the R40 tour even better live. Rush is better live then there albums which is the opposite of every other band enjoy
Entre Nous (i.e. Between Us): Just don't pronounce the S (noo - short oo) at the end and you'll be very close.
Why hasn’t MetallicA covered this!?!!!!!!!!
Jus want to propose a ldea
I grow up rush will be one of my fav band altime must admit like old rush compare to new but aways a fan
Here's my idea how about blowing some of ur audiences.mind a true genius I am sure nobody's requesting this band but it seems like ur trying to gain musicians as subscribers and viewing your content so let's blow some minds electric band chick corea ,Dave Eric, frank, and of course John on bass u gotta admit these guys ain't ur garage band my I suggest light years live grp super group come on John with that funky bass and Eric with that sax solo shhhhhh jus would like to see what kind of feedback ull get if anybody's a musician and can tell what great technical music is whether you like this genre of music or not got to give props to where props is rightfully given it's just a thought I I know how much appreciate johns work doesn't get any better then these guys true talent go for it see what happens
Come on man bill Buford Alan Holdsworth and Jeff Berlin slapping that bass shit
I figured you will like this album better than hemispheres. Hemispheres is technically great but this like a farwell to kings has a little more emotion to it. I don’t think your going to dislike any song on this album if so it will be the next one but I don’t see that happening.
When you get done with your journey are you going to be making a video of your overall feeling about them?
probably... I have a ways to go still lol
@@JustinPanariello it is quite the undertaking a few others have tried and didn’t make it. I believe you will be the first to make it all the way through.
In the old Testament, the story of Jacob’s Ladder refers to the vivid, prophetic dream in which Jacob sees a ladder stretching from heaven to earth. The dream not only represented the connection between God and man; it also affirmed Jacob as the father of God’s chosen people, the Israelites.
Great song! Yes, this was when the synth was a side dish and it added a nice dimension. Later it became the main course and that was over powering. Still good songs but a little one sided and now sounds very dated.
If you liked that "tame" / studio / radio version listen to them live and crank it up :
ua-cam.com/video/JBCMSmF1G1o/v-deo.html
oh yeah R40... I love listening to Geddy look and sound in pain hitting those high notes! Luckily this song has a ton of instrumental parts lol
ua-cam.com/video/9B6cA1uzh-c/v-deo.html
geddy has full finger nails not unlike steven tyler's so when he needs them he's got them
Unfortunately after Moving Pictures Alex is pushed to the background mostly again.
On Signals maybe, but the guitar is really prominent on Grace Under Pressure. Contains some KILLER guitar solos as well including my favorite Alex solo of all time in Between The Wheels.
@@carlgibbons5777 That's fair. I love GUP. I was thinking generally b/c Alex has killer stuff on every album, but on Signals through HYF, the two lead instruments are bass and keys/synths.
@@estavillo2112 You are right. Alex's role changed a bit in the 80's. It's more support guitar for the arrangements, but a lot of what he does is freaking brilliant/beautiful and has a high goosebump factor. lol Almost ALL my fav Alex solos come from the 80's except maybe Lavilla.
@@carlgibbons5777 Oh I agree. Geddy and Neil cannot be denied in terms of what they are doing in every song--but, IMO, Alex is the music in the songs.