Hailing from Shrewsbury, Rainbreakers are a four-piece outfit whose influences range from richly textured psychedelia to hard hitting rock ‘n’ roll via a smooth soulfulness that serves to draw the listener in. The ‘Blood not brass’ EP gained the band a good deal of much-deserved attention (including having their tracks aired on BBC Radio 2), but it’s ‘Rise UP’ that will cement the band’s reputation as a fast-growing act and see them reach new heights. A five track EP designed to leave the listener very much wanting more, it will both satisfy existing fans and help the Rainbreakers to reach a yet-wider audience with its smooth grooves and deft guitar work.
The EP kicks off with ‘On my own’, a soulful blues with wah-inflected guitar and a vocal from Ben Edwards that recalls Robert Cray’s work, showing both restraint and yet hinting at a latent power that’s coiled, ready to be unleashed at the right moment. Charlie Richards also shines on this opening track, offering up a soaring solo that gives the song a gritty edge. The title track is up next and its somnolent rhythm (given brilliant depth by inventive drummer Sam Edwards) belies the steel that sits at the song’s core, and as the track progresses so it builds to a truly stunning wall of neo-psychedelic noise that just begs you to dive in and get lost amidst the swirling sounds. Although calmer than its forebear, ‘Waiting on you’ opens with some gorgeously laid back guitar work that recalls the blues via Pink Floyd, Ben’s voice choked full of emotion and the band crafting a shimmering back drop behind him that draws on elements of lounge, soul, blues and progressive in a manner that is impossibly engaging.
Another track that captures a similar vibe to Robert Cray’s soulful take on blues, ‘Perception’ is a beautifully recorded, exquisitely played gem that places Rainbreakers right at the forefront of modern British Blues. Once again, the band just do not put a foot wrong and by the time you reach Charlie’s gloriously understated solo, you’ll be head over heels in love with the band thanks to their unerring ability to weave the music around the listener, immersing them utterly. The EP ends, and far too quickly, with ‘Living free’, a tougher blues with a taut rhythm and a killer riff that recalls the urgent rush of Cream’s second album. As it careers towards its climax, so the band is finally unleashed to deliver a massive surge of energy with sparking solos and raging cymbals. It’s the perfect end to a flawless EP.
It’s hard to find a single flaw in ‘Rise up’. Kept short and to the point, the EP features just five, well-selected tracks and not a moment is wasted. There’s depth, variety and imagination stamped across the band’s music and the production is also quite stunning, rendering the band with great clarity and depth. There are a number of British blues artists currently demonstrating exactly what passion and commitment can bring and the Rainbreakers deserve to stand near the head of the pack with this scintillating EP. Find, buy, listen on repeat until your head spins and demand a full-length effort – if the band continue at this level, they’ll be unstoppable. 9
