PARALLAX

"Parallax" was BI KYO RAN's second studio album released in 1984. Their next studio album wouldn't be recorded until 1995. They are a trio who brought in several guests to play instruments such as cello, trumpet, violin, keyboards and mellotron. Compared to their debut I would say this album has more variety on it as well as more mellotron. If I had to choose between the two it would be difficult, but I think I would pick the debut for it's harder edge.

"Silent Running" has an energetic intro before the Japanese vocals come in and things calm down quickly. This contrast continues throughout this song. The rhythm section shines on this track. Some Fripp like melodies are fired off by the lead guitarist and the violin is quite aggressive 5 minutes in as the drums pound away. "Prediction" opens with a beautiful melody, but it is replaced quickly by vocals and waves of mellotron. Some good vocal arrangments follow that actually become complex after 4 minutes. We then are treated to about 3 minutes of amazing guitar melodies as more mellotron rolls in .

"Suite Ran" is a side long suite that is divided into five sections. This is a ride people.There is some aggressive guitar early as the drummer beats out some short, fast bursts.There is then this long section where we get trumpet, followed by violin, followed by trumpet, followed by cello, followed by more trumpet. The whole time there is some fantastic drumming and great bass lines. Nice. The song then changes to a spacey soundscape as the guitarist plays a hypnotising melody that eventually becomes a screaming solo 14 minutes in. Actually there is a lot of guitar noise for a couple of minutes.17 minutes in the song changes again to a pastoral calm during the final section called "Epilogue: Crimson Children (Pupils staring at a stream)".

Another incredible record from these Japanese wonders.This album is significant because it was released in the eighties, and even more significant because this is fantastic progressive music.