In the 80s, acts as BADLANDS and BLUE MURDER fused the 70s Hard Rock format with bluesy touches and an updated energy, creating a path for the genre for the future generations to come. Such way always gives to the fans excellent works, and if you’re into such a trend, “Rainmaker”, the first and only work of the Swedish quartet RAINMAKER is for you. Originally released on 2000, this album really deserved a reissue (and it’s the second release of Pride & Joy Music Classix Series). The quartet works on a trend really similar to the names written above: a form of classic and melodic Hard Rock of the 70s with an actual energy and feeling (even after 20 years of its original release), elegant and filled with many bluesy and Pro Rock elements.

It’s accessible, filled with excellent melodic hooks and catchy choruses, based on the talent of musicians with experience on acts as RADIOACTIVE, DEACON STREET PROJECT, THE FIRM and BLUE MURDER. And no, “Rainmaker” doesn’t sound as a copy or anything like that, but’s plenty of energy and personality. The sonority of “Rainmaker” shines with elegance and is brilliant: it’s distorted and sounds as a Rock ‘n’ Roll production, but does clean and defined to the point that allows the full comprehension of what’s expressed by the quartet. And the remastering done by Tommy Denander (the band’s guitarist) made things actual and loud as they deserve to be. And the cover has a new artwork as well.

Musically speaking, the formula used by the quartet is known since a long time, but’s gain a new life and a personal expression as well. And to deal with songs as “Rainmaker” (excellent melodies with an 80s feeling, and what lovely vocals and backing vocals), “Father of Your Sins” and “Nancy Hold On” (two emotional songs filled with excellent melodic keyboards and fine work on bass guitar and drums), “Kay” (a song with catchy energy and a massive accessible appeal, excellent guitars and backing vocals, and with an irresistible chorus), “Seriously” (a more introspective Hard Rock song with a melodic set of ambiences), “Sound of My Heart” (a fine and beautiful ballad with tender melodic tack, and excellent clean guitars arrangements), “Going Insane” (a song with bits of modern traits in some melodies, but with a classic Hard Rock appeal), and… Oh, seriously! After listening to all those and “Blood Brother Run”, “Passion Again”, “Bad Call” and “King of Fools”, it’s hard to believe that this album has 20 years of existence. “Rainmaker” wasn’t eroded by time and dust, and it’s still as fresh and expressive as it was in 2000!

This reissue of “Rainmaker” is limited to 500 copies, so go for it and buy one of them. And as nothing is defined, there’s hope that RAINMAKER can come as give us all one more release, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!