Rain (UK): Crossover or Eclectic Prog?

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   Can't find anything about this band on here from a quick search, and I couldn't add them to progfreak as 'Rain' because there already exists a band called Rain from the UK, both on this site and on progfreak.
From https://www.gep.co.uk/index.php/artists/rain:

"Rain comprises Andy Edwards (drums), Rob Groucutt (keyboards and vocals), John Jowitt (bass) and Mirron Webb (guitars and vocals).

John Jowitt is best known for his work with IQ, with whom he recorded five studio albums (Ever, Subterranea, The Seventh House, Dark Matter and Frequency). He also played with Arena (including The Visitor), Frost*, Ark and Jadis, as well as playing bass live for John Wetton, Uriah Heep and John Young, amongst others.

John and Andy Edwards are together known as the rhythm section behind Frequency by IQ and Milliontown and Experiments in Mass Appeal by Frost*, and currently play together with Quill (featuring Bev Bevan of ELO and The Move).

Andy has also played with Robert Plant, bassist Steve Lawson and Magenta, with whom he released the album ‘The Twenty Seven Club’.

Keeping up the ELO connection, Rob is son of Kelly Groucutt, bass player with ELO. He’s a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, previously with Groucutt & Haynes and River City Portrait.

Mirron Webb is an exceptional young talent; a stunning guitarist who swaps lead vocal duties with Rob. Mirron also plays with Hey Jester, who released their first, self titled album in 2019.

Whilst the band was formed in April 2020, the initial idea came together when John was asked to join Andy in Quill in mid-2019; ideas were put down as part of an idea to write a progressive album together with Rob Groucutt and both Bev Bevan and singer Joy Strachan-Brain from Quill under the name Reign. Whilst this didn’t come to fruition, initial ideas recorded by Andy and John with Rob formed the basis of some of the songs on the renamed Rain’s first album ‘Singularity’; Andy had long wanted to work with Mirron, having helped promote Hey Jester, and Singularity includes some of the best work the four have ever done.

Recorded individually over the summer of 2020 during the lockdown, and put together by Andy at his home studio, the four members did not meet in person until after the album was recorded. Fortunately they looked like their photos, and are still together…"

'Singularity' track listing:

1. Devils Will Reign (7:01)
2. Dandelion (7:01)
3. Walk Away (12:50)
4. The Magician (11:16)
5. Singularity (9:24)

Total time 47:32

- Rob Groucutt / vocals, guitar, keys
- Mirron Webb / vocals, guitar
- Andy Edwards / drums plus additional instruments
- John Jowitt / bass

Written and produced by RAIN

Mixed by Mark Westwood

Band photo: https://www.gep.co.uk/images/artists/artist_rain.jpg.

The album was released both digitally and as a CD on November 23, 2020 and has been getting plenty of attention in the prog press, with some excellent reviews too.

I've suggested crossover prog in the topic title, but it's not really your usual crossover fayre throughout the whole album by any means, and might well border on eclectic's turf in places. Definitely belongs here though.

CD available at: https://rainprogband.bandcamp.com/releases.

Spotify streaming link: https://open.spotify.com/album/3DE8kgsLLs2UA5u7EibMAO.

YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRM7BpZzvD0&list=PLp87vn7bPFfSYuGAvyaJSZYwwetwssmeg.

Sorry I couldn't add them to progfreak in readiness for an evaluation, but you guys will know how to get round the issue of the name clash, I'm sure. 

Edit: Forgot the facebook link lol! https://www.facebook.com/RAINprogband/. 

Edited by yam yam - December 09 2020 at 15:32

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yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Crossover Team Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 7064	Topic: Rain (UK): Crossover or Eclectic Prog? Posted: December 09 2020 at 15:23
	Can't find anything about this band on here from a quick search, and I couldn't add them to progfreak as 'Rain' because there already exists a band called Rain from the UK, both on this site and on progfreak. From https://www.gep.co.uk/index.php/artists/rain: "Rain comprises Andy Edwards (drums), Rob Groucutt (keyboards and vocals), John Jowitt (bass) and Mirron Webb (guitars and vocals). John Jowitt is best known for his work with IQ, with whom he recorded five studio albums (Ever, Subterranea, The Seventh House, Dark Matter and Frequency). He also played with Arena (including The Visitor), Frost, Ark and Jadis, as well as playing bass live for John Wetton, Uriah Heep and John Young, amongst others. John and Andy Edwards are together known as the rhythm section behind Frequency by IQ and Milliontown and Experiments in Mass Appeal by Frost, and currently play together with Quill (featuring Bev Bevan of ELO and The Move). Andy has also played with Robert Plant, bassist Steve Lawson and Magenta, with whom he released the album ‘The Twenty Seven Club’. Keeping up the ELO connection, Rob is son of Kelly Groucutt, bass player with ELO. He’s a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, previously with Groucutt & Haynes and River City Portrait. Mirron Webb is an exceptional young talent; a stunning guitarist who swaps lead vocal duties with Rob. Mirron also plays with Hey Jester, who released their first, self titled album in 2019. Whilst the band was formed in April 2020, the initial idea came together when John was asked to join Andy in Quill in mid-2019; ideas were put down as part of an idea to write a progressive album together with Rob Groucutt and both Bev Bevan and singer Joy Strachan-Brain from Quill under the name Reign. Whilst this didn’t come to fruition, initial ideas recorded by Andy and John with Rob formed the basis of some of the songs on the renamed Rain’s first album ‘Singularity’; Andy had long wanted to work with Mirron, having helped promote Hey Jester, and Singularity includes some of the best work the four have ever done. Recorded individually over the summer of 2020 during the lockdown, and put together by Andy at his home studio, the four members did not meet in person until after the album was recorded. Fortunately they looked like their photos, and are still together…" 'Singularity' track listing: 1. Devils Will Reign (7:01) 2. Dandelion (7:01) 3. Walk Away (12:50) 4. The Magician (11:16) 5. Singularity (9:24) Total time 47:32 - Rob Groucutt / vocals, guitar, keys - Mirron Webb / vocals, guitar - Andy Edwards / drums plus additional instruments - John Jowitt / bass Written and produced by RAIN Mixed by Mark Westwood Band photo: https://www.gep.co.uk/images/artists/artist_rain.jpg. The album was released both digitally and as a CD on November 23, 2020 and has been getting plenty of attention in the prog press, with some excellent reviews too. I've suggested crossover prog in the topic title, but it's not really your usual crossover fayre throughout the whole album by any means, and might well border on eclectic's turf in places. Definitely belongs here though. CD available at: https://rainprogband.bandcamp.com/releases. Spotify streaming link: https://open.spotify.com/album/3DE8kgsLLs2UA5u7EibMAO. YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRM7BpZzvD0&list=PLp87vn7bPFfSYuGAvyaJSZYwwetwssmeg. Sorry I couldn't add them to progfreak in readiness for an evaluation, but you guys will know how to get round the issue of the name clash, I'm sure. Edit: Forgot the facebook link lol! https://www.facebook.com/RAINprogband/. Edited by yam yam - December 09 2020 at 15:32

tszirmay Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: August 17 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 6673	Posted: December 09 2020 at 15:32
	ordered
	I never post anything anywhere without doing more than basic research, often in depth.

PhideauxFan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 14 2007 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 4579	Posted: December 09 2020 at 23:56
	Very good ! I will get the CD very soon.

DamoXt7942 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493	Posted: December 10 2020 at 00:40
	On charts with my YES.


Rivertree Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions Joined: March 22 2006 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 17650	Posted: December 10 2020 at 02:20
	yep, you can hear an eclectic character, especially the title track ...


yam yam Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Crossover Team Joined: June 16 2011 Location: Kerberos Status: Offline Points: 7064	Posted: December 10 2020 at 04:59
	^ Thanks guys! We already have two 'yes' votes in Crossover, so there's a sunny outlook on PA rather than a rainy one for these fine fellows! Progfreak link for those who like to follow the evaluations: https://progfreak.com/Rain-2020--178012.html?path=pa/recent.

DamoXt7942 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Joined: October 15 2008 Location: Okayama, Japan Status: Offline Points: 17493	Posted: January 05 2021 at 03:35
	Added to Crossover. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=11561