Customer Reviews

Rain Tree Crow

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When this album first came out there seemed to be a lot of buzz about its release signaling the reforming of Japan. From what I have read, this seemed to be the intention of band members (Sylvian, Jansen, Barbieri and Karn). However, old rivalries resurfaced and this became a one-off.

True to their unquestioned musical skills, Rain Tree Crow were not here to just rehash past glories. Times had changed, the musicians had matured and the music on this album acknowledges this. David Sylvian, having released highly acclaimed and exquisite solo work (Brilliant Trees, Gone To Earth, Alchemy, Secrets of the Beehive) seems to be the undeniable major force on this album. His influence is paramount (and may explain why the other members might have felt that they were mere session musicians in this effort).

The results (despite the politics that may have been present) are probably some of the best tracks they have ever done (Jansen, Barbieri and Karn have worked together on quite a few albums without Sylvian). The somewhat "rock and roll" and blues energy is present throughout and works a lot better here than on Sylvian's collaborations with Robert Fripp. Mark Feltham (harmonica genius who has played on Talk Talk's later albums) is present on some tracks, adding some terrific gritty ambiance.

The tracks are far from mainstream, these musicians have always pushed the boundaries and continue to do so here though these tracks are probably a little more accessible to those not used to this calibre of music.

I think Thomas Horan's review below unfairly gives the album 3 stars. I think his rating is based too much on the bonus track and not the album as a whole. My point of view is that these reviews are for those who do not have the album and would like to know what others think before they buy. A review by someone buying a second copy solely for the bonus track and then judging it primarily on the value of that one track is misleading.

Japan reformed for this one off collaboration of stunningly beautiful tunes created from studio improvisations, full of slow, groove inflected pieces with sensual vocals by David Sylvian, a plethora of percussive instruments by Steve Jansen, synth ambience courtesy of Richard Barbieri and the slippery slide fretless bass playing of Mick Karn. A concoction reminiscent of Sylvian's solo music, but with more experimentation and mood.

Sylvian's voice is in the "love it, or hate it" category. Personally, I find his voice soothing, yet dreamy and seductive. This is music to get laid to. Subtle and suggestive. Songs of love lost and dying, pain and ache. No new territory, just music done well. Karn and Sylvian also add a bit of multi-instrumental flavor with sax, clarinet, harmonium and other devices. A unique mix.

Stand out tracks include the opener "Big Wheels in Shanty Town" with it's swirling percussive mix and African backing vocals and pulse bass. Hypnotic. "Blackcrow Hits Show Shine City" with Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe) playing a wonderful bluesy solo. "Blackwater" is a radio-friendly tune that is achingly plaintive and emotive.

Porcupine Tree fans may be interested to hear pre-PT music from Richard Barbieri, as well as aspiring bass players who should check out fretless master, Mick Karn and those who enjoy more ambient fare would find plenty to muse over with Rain Tree Crow.

In 1989, the four members of Japan came back together to record a reunion project-- largely against the will of the record label, the album was released by a band of the name Rain Tree Crow. This was a long time coming-- with Jansen and Barbieri working together and appearing on both Sylvian's and Karn's solo records, and finally Sylvian's contribution to Karn's most recent record, the stage was set. Unfortunately, during their time in the studio, the band fell apart and the reunion project, largely finished by Sylvian, proved to be a one-shot.

While Sylvian finished the record, it is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a solo record-- the input from the rest of the band is pretty obvious, and the material succeeds at its best when the band's contributions are largely greater than the individuals-- the haunting "Every Colour You Are", the achingly beautiful ballad "Pocket Full of Change" (which shows the depth and range of Sylvian's voice better than anything else he's ever done), the longing bass clarinet strains on "New Moon at Red Deer Wallow", or the relatively straightforward pop of "Blackwater".

The real point is, there's some many moods, so much ground covered on this record that it is far more than any of the individual contributors have any precedent for on thier own, and quite honestly, its an extremely accessible record-- I'd be shocked if anyone listening to this wouldn't find something that didn't really excite them in some way.

Perhaps most amazing is that there really is nothing on this that doesn't live up to the expectations-- the whole record, start to finish, is superb. This reissue adds pristine sound, and like the entirity of the Virgin Japan/Sylvian catlog, sounds like it was recorded on state-of-the-art equipment yesterday and tags another piece from the sessions, the brief "I Drink to Forget", originally a b-side from when the album was released.

Its also quite a good introduction to the music of any of its contributors, certainly some of the best work they've done is on here. Bottom line, this album is essential listening-- of the thousands of albums that I own, this is one of the three or four best.

Rain Tree Crow is the final line up of Japan reunited for a one-off album. Since David Sylvian funded a good portion of the project and controlled the final editing, this CD feels much more like a Sylvian solo album of the early nineties than anything Japan did back in the early eighties.

The sound is a sometimes strange, sometimes relaxing, always haunting mixture of new age, jazz, electronic, blues, and post-rock music. Although all of the songs were collectively improvised in the studio, only the instrumentals (of which there are too many) sound loose and unstructured. The tracks on which David sings are among his best, with poetic lyrics and rich satisfying melodies. "Blackwater", "Pocket Full of Change", "Cries and Whispers", and "Every Colour You Are" are especially good.

Unfortunately, the long-awaited b-side "I Drink To Forget", which appears as a bonus track on this remaster, is a mere two minutes of aimless noodling that doesn't even sound like an actual song. No wonder they left it off the record the first time around!

I'm glad that this album is back in print, but I'm not sure that the glossy artwork and extra track add much of anything to the original product. You might want to look for this one used.