Album review: WARMRAIN – Back Above The Clouds

June 20th, 2019 by GRTR! HQ

Rain Recordings [Release date 07.06.19]

Promoted as a ‘must have’ for fans of Pink Floyd, Steven Wilson and Anathema, a double ‘concept’ album is one hell of a gamble for a full length debut.

But such is the conviction of English singer songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Leon J Russell (no relation) – a man weaned on albums such as Quadrophenia, Tommy, Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall in the late sixties/early seventies.

Majoring on the more ethereal moments of the likes of Floyd, Wishbone and Home all wrapped in one double album package, it’s fairly safe to say, had Back Above The Clouds been released in the early seventies ‘WarmRain’ would have been indelibly scribed on many a sixth former’s rucksack.

But most of that generation have long since given up record buying, now eagerly awaiting the extra spending power of their State Pension. Although a significant proportion no doubt indulged in The Endless River.

And Back Above The Clouds is a bit like an endless river. Virtually every number conforms to a pattern of a gentle, wistful, opening, building slowly – through a meandering mid-section – to a mild ethereal climax. Although for the most part, a bit like for most of us ‘over sixties’, ‘climax’ is something of an overstatement.

Dip in and, combined with an excellent production, it’s a formula that works convincingly well. But play the full 90 minutes from beginning to end, and by the time you get to disc 2 you’ll likely be overcome by an overwhelming desire for something with a little more ‘life’ in it, with even the audacious, seven minute extended version of The Eurythmics’ Here Comes The Rain Again failing to get out of second gear.

That said, if you’re partial to the occasional spliff and, metaphorically, watching the river flow, then Back Above The Clouds could well be the perfect soundtrack. But absent hallucinogenic stimulus, I’m sorry, life’s just too short. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)