I disagree. I think Permanent Waves is every bit as brilliant as either 2112 or Moving Pictures. The band themselves have said that if there had not been Caress of Steel, there would not have been 2112, and if not for Permanent Waves, there would not have been Moving Pictures. For me, Rush didn't start straying from genius until maybe around Hold Your Fire. Those late 80's/early 90's albums are drowning in unnecessary keyboards but there are still great songs on them. They pulled out of this period with Counterparts and their last couple of records are amazing.