Rush - Spirit Of Radio

 

This is not an album, but a 12 inch single !  I think I opted for the 12 inch as this was the full length album version at nearly 5 minutes, whereas the UK single had been edited down to barely 3 minutes.

I remember a concert review in the New Musical Express, possibly in 1978, when the journalist was puzzled as to how a little known Canadian band had sold out a large venue in Manchester. Speaking to some of those at the gig, he was surprised to be frequently told Rush were the best rock band in the world. This also came as a surprise to this reader, as Rush were never played on the radio, had never appeared on the few music programmes on TV in the 1970s, nor previously been mentioned in the UK music press, which at the time was focused on punk or new wave acts.I had never heard of Rush.

The article also called the band fascists, based on a couple of their songs being inspired by writer Ayn Rand, who at the time was incorrectly labelled as a proponent of anarchism. The band were apparently furious at this description.  

By 1980, Rush had released their "Permanent Waves" album, and embarked on another sell-out tour of the UK, and in support, released "Spirit Of Radio" as a single, which became their first ( and only ) UK Top 20 hit. I was blown away when I first heard it !

The introductory guitar riff is a standard Rock n' Roll one, but the song then launches into a different, glorious riff for the main theme. Towards, the end of the song is a short reggae style section, entwined with the return of the opening riff, before launching into a searching guitar solo. It's still an absolutely brilliant song !

Of the other songs, "The Trees" was from their 1978 album "Hemispheres", which lyrically describes the struggle of maple trees to get more sunlight but the oaks are too tall. In the end "all trees are all kept equal by hatchet, axe and saw". The song begins with acoustic guitar for the intro and first verse, giving it a "Stairway To Heaven" vibe, before turning into a mainstream rock song for the second verse. The middle section has a soft synthesized break after which there's a tasteful guitar solo. Overall, it reminded me a little of Yes, partly as Geddy Lee's singing here has Jon Anderson like qualities.

"Working Man" comes from Rush's 1974 eponymous debut album and is the bonus track on the 12 inch single, not being on the 7 inch single, and is over 7 minutes long. It sounds a lot like Led Zeppelin, especially with Geddy Lee's voice also being similar to Robert Plant's, but there is a Richie Blackmore/Deep Purple/Rainbow style extended guitar solo for over three minutes before the song returns back to Led Zep style verse and chorus, and a big dramatic finish. It's not really my kind of music. 

Track Listing :

1. Spirit Of Radio
2. Trees
3. Working Man

Released 1980
UK Chart Position : 13