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: : Rain - Cerulean Blue : :
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Band/Artist
Rain
Title:
Man Made Machine
Released
2005
Label
TeloMusic |
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Track List:
1. The Lammas Lands
2. Parsifal
3. Starcrossed
4. The Silver Apples of the Moon
5. Light and Magic
6. Jerusalem
7. Cerulean Blue |
: : The Players : :
Rain Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Jerusalem Pipes, Vocals and Eye |
Rob Brown Narration | Iain Ballamy Saxophones | Phillip Morgan Violin |
Rebecca Percy Viola | Hannah Payne Cello |
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: : Cerulean Blue : :
I
really like this CD on so many levels but I think it is mostly because
it really made me pay attention to all that’s going on in each song,
actually movement would better describe what I mean.
The fantastic voice of Rob Brown as the narrator is enough to give you
goose bumps alone. Mr. Brown is communicating a story, again more
correctly a journey. The basic story is about a character (Rick) who is
traveling across the US and who sends back postcards to Mr. Brown who
then reads them to us the listener and makes metaphysical comments on
the postcards from the edge and about the journey it very self. Each
post card ends with “Wish You Were Here”. Coincidence? I think not.
All is very deep and dark and thus the music fits in each movement and
Rain’s vocals are perfect to tell the action in lyrical glory. As Rick’s
post card from San Diego “…That’s the real problem with the pursuit of
happiness, the pursuit does not bring happiness”. Wow, then you have
these wonderful violin, viola, and cello bridges that make you want to
cry.
This is truly a progressive rock CD and one that has a strong but much
darker early Pink Floyd vibe. You have chanting choirs, heavy pipe organ
flourishes, and that haunting narration. There are some parts that hint
of early Alan Parsons, maybe a taste of early King Crimson and tons of
ethereal guitars that seem 100% recognizable while you never can really
put your finger on if you really have ever heard anything like it
before.
On the CD are also some computer activities like watching a video of Mr.
Brown doing his thing. But not in a studio on a full set with cigarette
smoke swirling around, a glass of booze and his haunting voice
attempting to add some method to the overall madness of this creation by
Rain.
You’ll also find lyric files and other discussions about the meaning of
life, its symbolic nature and more. The music gets more and more
captivating with each movement and surely the listener is drawn deeper
and deeper into the world Rain has wrought. A wonderful tapestry of
classically styled progressive rock but it is much, much more than that.
The music is almost a back drop to the story and the narration and
frankly I love it. It is a great departure from both all instrumental
CD’s and even traditional CD’s with lyrics. The CD at one moment fits
like a glove and then the next you get all tingly and feel like someone
from a fourth or fifth or even sixth dimension has just walked by you.
You see nothing but a cold emotion filled breeze just flushed your
cheeks.
I can only speak for myself but I really like this CD even though it
does not in any way “fit” into what I might normally have had anything
to do with. It is truly something different if not new at all. You’ll
pick up musical memories right before they are swept from your mind.
Truly excellent.
The packaging is also very different, much like the way a promo CD is
packaged, no jewel case, no line notes (you can print them out from
Rain’s web site) and the packaging does offer a secret picture of Rain
himself. I was able to talk with Rain via email and asked about the
hidden picture and if it was him. He said yes and that I was only the
third person from across the world that has had the CD and contacted him
that even noticed. So check it out and see if you find it.
Rating: 9.5 of 10
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
Cerulean Blue
- 2004 |
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