SINGULARITY

RAIN is an English group previously playing in IQ and FROST* on the one hand and ARENA and JADIS on the other, renowned bassist and drummer forming a progressive synthesis of art-musical rock with fresh, frenzied, convoluted and energetic drawers. Rain used the global pandemic affecting the music industry to send us a few moments out of this schizoid world, a singularity of sorts, hang in there because it's just excellent.

"Devis Will Reign" on a pop tune Earth, Wind & Fire or Electric Light Orchestra, highlighting John's bass giving a dynamic rhythm then a riff and a Hispanic Andalusian solo of the very first, bringing joy; a bit of Yes in the background. "Dandelion" for an energetic synth-pop intro, we start with a rhythmic, dancing modern Wilsonian version, a little on Talk Talk, syncopated by the effective bass, yes we see that it is a bit of his group there; frenzied solo without break as on a 380 degree take with psychedelic floydian reminiscences. "Walk Away" on a Tears for Fears pop rock tune, variation of 6 melodic mini-drawers with Canterburian break then with Hackett's acoustic guitar, another hovering on the psychedelic piano, door open in the prog; moment when the title gives its substantive marrow; voices that remind me from afar of the harmonic choirs of "the dark side of the moon"; It starts again with 70's choppy synthetic percussion-bass rhythm and Mirron's percussive solo with notes reminding me of one of Ange's solos on "Cap'taine coeur de miel" dazzling, voice in gradient for the end! "The Magician" continues with a progressive drift, an acoustic guitar arpeggio, a killer, heady chorus and a crescendical rise; after a seemingly improvised break on a background of jam, the guitar solo arrives nervous; the synth grooves, murmurs in chorus to end... and continue endlessly, the title that makes you forget time. "Singularity" with the choirs continuing on a psychic, strange musical progression, worthy of an indescribable improvisation; the atmosphere is dark like on "Red", a little hovering, jazzy, the antithesis of the first titles, progressive yes; note the female voice of one of the members calling his cat in a denatured empty space, thumbing his nose at the initial confinement which will have bruised many music fans. Huge piece.

RAIN has released an intriguing and unconventional album, taking prog sound to another level. These four comrades shake up the prog base with a groove, a technicality and catchy tunes. Rob Groucutt (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Andy Edwards (drums), John Jowitt (vocals, bass) and Mirron (vocals, guitar) deposit at the end of the year a must in terms of subtle musicality, a high-flying musical caviar , an album that you simply have to own if you claim to be a prog fan.