Customer Reviews

Skin

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

 

 

Kansas City's biggest rock band made their mark with three excellent albums released in the latter half of the '80s. Endless tours of the Midwest and Europe gained them some notoriety. They became huge stars in Norway, releasing a live album there in 1990. And then they broke up. The mid-90's saw the release of a Norway-only "Best Of" and a new album released only in Canada and Norway. Now, they return with their first U.S. release since 1989's "The Good News And The Bad News." It retains the roots rock sound of the earlier albums with a late-90's social consciousness. Lead singer and songwriter Bob Walkenhorst examines the degradation of women in such songs as "Different Rub," "Too Many Twenties" and the title track. Guitarist Steve Phillips contributes two excellent cuts of his own (one co-written with drummer Pat Tomek). New bassist Michael Bliss proves to be an excellent backing vocalist as well and especially shines on the Irish-style acapella closer "To The Hum." The album is musically diverse as well - highlights being the acoustic "Remember Me By" and the second single "Eclipse Has Begun" which rocks as hard as anything the Rolling Stones ever put out. All in all an excellent addition to your CD playlist.

They shoulda been contenders. The Rainmakers had a great sound when they arrived back in the mid-80s with a stunning debut album, and despite lean years since then they've broadened that sound without losing what made them so good to begin with. The rhythm section has a satisfying crunch without being bombastic, the guitar work varies from supple to spiky without getting show-offy, but the best thing about them remains Bob Walkenhorst, whose hyperenunciated sneer makes him sound like a snake-oil salesman out of "Huck Finn." Walkenhorst isn't afraid to take chances lyrically, as on the startling "Different Rub," "Good Sons and Daughters" and "Too Many Twenties." Sometimes they work (see above) and sometimes they don't ("Tattoo"), but they're always interesting. The band puts it altogether on "Eclipse Has Begun," which lures you in with a confident hook and then blindsides you with its quiet, triumphant consideration of family and community. It's almost a white-gospel rock song, which is pretty amazing for a band of Missouri renegades exiled to Scandinavia. Highly recommended, as is everything of theirs.

This band is great recorded or live. Bob Walkenhorst is a fabulous lyricist - he can be sentimental or cynical, depending on the song (or the mood). Skin is better than Flirting With the Universe and is at par with the great albums they put out in the 80s, Tornado and their first self-titled album.

Buy this one and if you can find those early albums with "The One That Got Away", "Doomsville", "Small Circles", etc., you can't go wrong.

One of the great, unknown American bands of the past 15 years. I've driven 600 miles on occasion just to see them live. Check out their website www.rainmakers.com - lots of good information. Buy this CD. One of the 10 best of 1997.

The Skin CD by the Rainmakers is a very special recording indeed. The band consists of two guitarists, a bass player, and drummer. However, each track emphasizes a different quality in the bands repetoire. Good Sons and Daughters and Too Many Twenties rock n roll with abandon while Different Rub has a great bluesy feel. To The Hum utilizes the accapella and Remember Me By and Skin are nice acoustic numbers.

Other tracks emphasize vocal harmonies while others a stunning guitar passage or even a crisp balance between the rhythm and lead. And the drumming styles are quite unique. Furthermore, the lyrics by Bob Walkenhorst are touching throughout this record.

Sometimes, a record does not have to be a commercial sell out to make its mark. The Rainmaker's Skin surely succedes on all accounts and those looking to broaden their musical horizons can start right here with this gem. Thank you Jason for bringing this CD into my world.

This CD has a way of burying itself in your soul. I've owned it since it came out, and even now (07/2003) I find myself playing it about every 6 to 8 weeks. My children have grown up listening to it, and they're now singing along. The music is energizing, but the genuine passion of the lyrics reconfirms that quiet, little voice in the back of your head that sometimes whispers "there's nothing wrong with being a decent person." U2 takes on the issue of our world. The Rainmakers take on the issues of ourselves. (These guys were a great bar band in KC in the 80's known as STEVE BOB & RICH. What fun we had.)

Saw Steve ,Bob, and Rich play many times during my years at KU. They absolutely rocked! First Rainmakers CD is much better than this one, but still worth adding to your collection if you are a die hard. 'Did you see the Lightning" is a great tune!

Although anything Rainmakers or Steve Bob & Rich is great in my book, I have to say this was their weakest effort. I pick up and listen to all of their music and Bob Walkenhorst's music, but this one is always at the bottom of the pile and is rarely played. I can't put this one on top and recommend it as one of their best works.

They may be from Kansas or Missouri (I'm not sure). However I have followed them ever since they toured the UK all those years ago. People in America wake up! You have a great band and this a great album to start from.

I played their first three albums to death. I was disappointed by this album. The lyrics were as biting as Bob's lyrics always are, but music was not up to the level of the first three albums. The song Steve wrote was the best one on the album.

I left my copy of the CD in my desk when I quit the job I was working because I knew I wasn't going to listen to it again.