Rain Parade Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
The group's final album and its first for a major label was no way to end a career that started out so promising, but it did deliver in some areas. Vocalist/guitarist David Roback had left the band -- as had drummer Eddie Kalwa, leaving out some core elements that had managed to gel together so well on previous outings. Ultimately, the murky, psychedelic waters of previous releases had become elusive. Upon the first listen, the major flaw that you hear is the increase in production that results in waves of synthesizer accents that do little to add to the flavor of the group. The track "Depending on You" is certainly blessed with some strong guitar leads, but is marred by the shiny blasts of synthetics. Rain Parade's greatness arose out of excellent songs and guitar work, but also out of an adherence to a timeless sound. Modern embellishments did not suit them well. "Don't Feel Bad" is perhaps the biggest victim of this. The song is great with drums spiraling backwards, guitars fluttering up and down, the bass backtracking while still sounding nimble and flexible as the harmonies float -- but the stabs of synth and drum treatments turn the song into a relic of the time. The slower moments of the record work their charm. "My Secret Country" is a nice balance of acoustic guitars and harmonies but is ultimately muddied by an ending that creeps up too soon. It's "Fertile Crescent" that is probably the most perfectly realized song on the album, with its guitar jangle and a perfect harmony of build-up and release. "Only Business" also works well with its stripped-down and slightly broken approach that uses restraint in a way that could have suited a number of the other tracks on the album. It's an unfortunate ending (not unfortunately uncommon, either) that sees the group's final official release marred by a major label's input, distorting what should have been Rain Parade's greatest statement. ~ Jon Pruett, All Music Guide
'Emergency Third Rail Power Trip'
Release Date 1/1/1983
Tracks 9
Label Enigma
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Rain Parade fashioned traditional, gentle psychedelic pop on Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, including the dreamy "What's She Done to Your Mind" and the Byrds-ish "This Can't Be Today" (with the Dream Syndicate's Kendra Smith). They were clearly way ahead of their time, and it would take years before sleepy music (à la founding Rain Parade member David Roback's Mazzy Star) would catch on. This record sounds no more made in the '80s than in the '60s or '90s. ~ Denise Sullivan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Listeners who were enraptured by this band's first effort should enjoy this follow-up, even though principal member David Roback had already quit. Don't know if this is considered an LP or EP, as it clocks in at a mere 20 minutes, but it's still superior to other recycled psychedelia from L.A.'s Paisley Underground. Layered guitars, special effects, droning vocals, catchy hooks -- they're all here. The Rain Parade never broke any barriers during their brief existence, but they really captured the spirit of '60s psychedelic rock better than most. ~ Peter Kurtz, All Music Guide
