CERULEAN BLUE

Once in a while comes an album with a kind of silly outlook, a naive and mildly "pretentious" disposition, a really outlandish approach, and a very unorthodox style. I'm not talking about these outrageous avant-garde RIO bands that are infinitely unique: no. I mean something that sounds childish, and is very easy to dismiss by the general public: narrated pieces of work with really unusual concepts, for example. This kind of music, that I am trying so hard to describe to you (in futility, no doubt) lights a missed magic, a romantic, secretive spirituality that lights in a child's eyes when downloading video game music or movie scores. I guarantee most of you have no idea what I'm talking about (even those of you who may think you have a clue). Rain, for me, rekindles that lost childhood magic, with the utterly surreal and otherworldly atmospheres, and an ultimately difficult concept. Not only does he rekindle it, but he combines it with mature poetry and excellent songwriting. However, the music is sometimes painfully slow and drawn out, that many listeners will be bored or unstimulated by it.

The album Rain has chiseled masterfully here is filled with really touching, uplifting things: lyrics beautifully crafted (I think I heard The new King is crowned, and Elysium found in there), balanced by the lush, orchestral aspect and the complementing piano. Choir chanting and even almost-ethnic-sounding pipes counter the neo-prog guitar and the passionate vocal performance from Rain himself, to make a stunning balance. The only complain I could possibly put forth is that the sound quality (on the drums in particular) is not ideal, but neither is it atrocious. Musically, it's soft and soothing, with beautiful and captivating textures being the focus. And of that petty, self-praising, impulsive music, there is no trace. Again, the lyrics are not only interesting artistically, but personally, with topics the general population will be able to relate to.

Conceptually the album is a tad vague (to me, anyway) and half of my being wishes it to remain so (because as we all know, there is something genuinely pious and intriguing about an obscure concept) as to preserve the magic this album rouses in me. (A movie looks more interesting when you haven't seen it, doesn't it?) But the general story is of a man named Rick (whose postcards are brought to life by Bob Brown). His travels bring him across America, with some quite interesting adventures along the way. His postcards are intercepted by a mysterious Mr. Jaeger (which happens to be my mother's maiden name: another factor to the supernatural tone this album contains [for me, specifically]).

The classical instruments have a large role on the album, showing up in every song. Phenomenal sax, courtesy of Iain Ballamy, along with eastern-sounding acoustic guitar, keep things sounding absolutely fresh. There's even a few keyboard driven classic-symphonic moments in there. In the end, the result is an album whose compelling atmosphere never falters, whose magic is perpetual, whose ethereal and vaporous nature is heartily stirring. The best album I've ever received for free (excluding gifts) is, very possibly, Rain's Cerulean Blue.