SINGULARITY

It was wonderful to be speaking to Mr Bass last year, the one and only John Jowitt, and to be told that he was forming a new band with his ex-IQ and ex-Frost* bandmate Andy Edwards, bringing together once again a powering rhythm section. While they provide the platform, they are joined by Rob Groucott, (son of the late ELO bassist Kelly) on vocals and keyboards along with Mirron Webb (Hey Jester) on guitar and vocals. Any band that comprises people of the pedigree of John and Andy will always be tagged with the moniker "Supergroup", while one can only imagine the pressure on Rob to deliver, given that his father was such a high-profile presence in the music scene, playing on multiple million-selling albums.

Anyone who has followed John's career like I have will be aware he has played in multiple bands (often at the same time) in different genres, not all of which have been progressive. I first came across him when he was in the mighty Ark, a band who to this day I still feel have not had the recognition for all the great music they produced, while he of course came to major recognition when he joined IQ for their comeback album, 'Ever'. In Rain he has re-established the relationship with Andy that only bassists and drummers who have worked together for years really understand, and it is as if they have never been parted. Here they are providing a platform which is not as complex as the other bands they have worked in, but ensure there are touches here and there, and times when they simply smile at each other and go off on some runs, just to show they can.

The main focus is very much at the front of the band with Rob and Mirron often singing in dual lead harmony (even both hitting falsetto on "Walkaway"), and in many ways this album is all about the vocals. This is commercial crossover where the guitars can come in blasting neo prog at all and sundry, or be delicate and restrained, and the same goes for the keyboards which may provide a gentle curtain of sound for the others to layer against, often behind the bass, or they too can be a driving force. It is incredibly polished, and in some ways makes me think of American prog bands as opposed to British, yet with an edge which ensures the teeth do not hurt from too much sugar. That this was recorded during lockdown is nothing short of remarkable, as there is no disconnect whatsoever and it sounds as if the guys were in the studio honing and honing to the very end.

This is an incredibly impressive debut, moving and shifting, yet always inviting the listener in, with an easy style which makes it such a joy to listen to from beginning to end. If they keep going like this, then people will only be talking about John and Andy as being from Rain and given their history that will be some achievement indeed. One for progheads to seek out if they enjoy crossover.

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.