Formed by guitarist-vocalists David Roback and Matt Piucci in 1981, Rain Parade was integral in shaping the sound of the largely Los Angeles-based explosion of neo-psychedelia that was dubbed the Paisley Underground. The global impact of this movement was significant at the time, as Rain Parade’s second LP Crashing Dream was released by major label Island Records in 1985. The Paisley Underground’s impact also endures today; a deluxe, remastered edition of Crashing Dream complete with demos and live tracks sees reissue May 30 on double vinyl, compact disc, and digital through Label 51 Recordings.
Following the self-released single “What She’s Done to Your Mind” b/w “Kaleidoscope” from 1982, Rain Parade’s first album Emergency Third Rail Power Trip hit stores the following year courtesy of the Enigma label, with its own 2LP edition emerging last year courtesy of Label 51. Along with Piucci and Roback, the Rain Parade of Emergency Third Rail Power Trip consisted of Roback’s brother Steven on bass and vocals, Will Glenn on vocals and violin, and Eddie Kalwa on drums.
After David Roback exited the band to form Opal with the Dream Syndicate’s Kendra Smith (which gradually morphed into Mazzy Star), Rain Parade continued as a quartet for the highly regarded “Explosions in the Glass Palace” EP (or mini-LP, as it was described upon release). And then for Crashing Dream the lineup returned to a five-piece but with Mark Marcum replacing Kalwa on drums. John Thoman joined on guitar and backing vocals.
Like many major label debuts of the 1980s, Crashing Dream loses a bit of steam in terms of quality as well as being the least psychedelic of the band’s 1980s albums (counting “Explosions in the Glass Palace,” which was combined with Emergency Third Rail Power Trip on one CD in 1992). But reengaging with Crashing Dream, having not heard it for a couple of decades (at least), reveals it as a record that’s stronger than its reputation.
That the set was overproduced was essentially inevitable, but the songwriting by Piucci and Roback is generally solid enough to survive the glossier treatment, and the remastering here has surely helped. Opener “Depending on You” is one of Crashing Dream’s strongest tracks as it establishes a redirection toward the smart alternative (i.e. college) pop of the era (but still with an undercurrent of psych).
“My Secret Country” is an appealing strummer, but next in “Don’t Feel Bad,” a sturdy up-tempo pop-rocker in a ’60s mode that’s injected with ’80s-ish keyboard swells and chattering rhythmic additives. The effect surely dates the track to its decade and circumstances, but the additives aren’t off-putting. “Mystic Green” is a soaring jangler appropriate for the end credits of a movie where a dude with feathered hair almost flunks out of college. And “Sad Eyes Kill” points toward the airy, dreamy Brit neo-psych of the ‘90s.
This reissue takes a few liberties by inserting a live recording of the title track, a song that wasn’t included on the original 1985 release, into the original sequence. As the bonus material here adds value across the board, this addition flows just fine. “Shoot Down the Railroad Man” is another punchy pop rocker and one of the stronger numbers on the album from a psychedelic standpoint. “Fertile Crescent” delivers another dose of jangle, and “Invisible People” registers as built for left-of-the-dial radio rotation.
“Gone West” is a curious blend of cinematic and exotic (and pop-psych-tinged) tendencies. After another live track, the considerably ‘60s psych-kissed rocker “Nightshade,” the scaled-back strum of “Only Business” (the album’s original closer) wraps up side two. From there, the additional album of material really puts this edition of Crashing Dream into the keeper pile and gives Rain Parade a well-earned discographical boost.
GRADED ON A CURVE:
B+
