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Rain Tree Crow
Rain Tree Crow
from Wikipedia

Rain Tree Crow
Studio album by
Released8 April 1991
RecordedSeptember 1989 – April 1990
Studio
Genre
Length45:53
LabelVirgin
ProducerRain Tree Crow
Japan chronology
Oil on Canvas
(1983)
Rain Tree Crow
(1991)
David Sylvian chronology
Weatherbox
(1989)
Rain Tree Crow
(1991)
Ember Glance: The Permanence of Memory
(1991)
Singles from Rain Tree Crow
  1. "Blackwater"
    Released: March 1991

Rain Tree Crow is the sole album released by English band Rain Tree Crow, a reunion project by the members of the new wave band Japan. Recorded in 1989 and 1990 and released in April 1991, it was the first time that members David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri had collaborated as a four-piece since 1982. The album peaked at number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.[1]

Background

[edit]

The name Rain Tree Crow was chosen to mark a break from Japan's past, with the intention of creating a new long-term project. As the music turned out to be less commercial than originally envisaged, all members of the band aside from Sylvian became amenable to the idea of retaining the Japan moniker, in order to gain maximum exposure.[2] Virgin Records pressured the musicians to let them market the album under the name Japan; however, Sylvian was adamant that this would not take place. Sylvian's opinion prevailed and the album was released as by Rain Tree Crow.

It was decided early on that the project would involve only group compositions, as opposed to the group's earlier modus operandi where songs were largely based on Sylvian's ideas.

According to Karn, "the whole concept and direction of that album was that it was going to be very pop-oriented", wanting "to surprise people by doing the unexpected—by coming back into a market which we'd left behind a very long time ago. So, we decided that we would have a new name— Rain Tree Crow. The more obscure the name, the better. We believed that it would be a long-term project and that the name Rain Tree Crow would become more important than the name Japan".[3]

There had initially been talk about doing a second or third album, and possibly touring, but ultimately, personalities clashed toward the end of the project, with Sylvian citing differences of opinion, money and the re-emergence of "old tensions and frustrations".[4]

Recording

[edit]

"The two main studios used for recording were Miraval in the South of France, chosen particularly for its ambient live rooms, and Condulmer, near Venice. Four to five weeks recording at each location produced the bulk of the material. The principal notion behind the project was to leave the tape rolling and see what transpired in the extempore sessions. This concept of impromptu performances represented a sharp contrast to the ways in which the group had originally worked."[5]

It was the last time all four group members collaborated, but it laid the groundwork for other related projects. In particular, Jansen Barbieri Karn, also known as JBK, emerged afterwards.

In an interview in 2009, Sylvian said:

"Although much of the finished work incorporates seeds of the original improvisations from which it grew, there was a lot of re-recording and polishing of the material. I don’t remember there being too much of a struggle regarding the different directions the material took although I do remember I’d frequently be forced to justify my decisions whereby one piece or approach might be deemed out of context and another not. ‘Blackwater’ might be the exception here. I think I fought harder for that track than any other. Not because it was of the greatest interest but it was a strong piece that worked well in the body of the remainder of the album".

— Interview by Markus Deisenberger on 22 November 2009[4]

Release and reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[6]
NME2/10[7]
Trouser Presspositive[8]
UncutStarStar[9]

"Blackwater" was released as the album's only single and reached number 62 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1991. The album reached number 24 in the UK Albums Chart.[10]

The album was remastered and reissued on CD in 2003. The B-side track from the "Blackwater" single, "I Drink To Forget", was included on this reissue, but omitted on the later vinyl reissue of March 2019.

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Rain Tree Crow.

Rain Tree Crow track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Big Wheels in Shanty Town"7:08
2."Every Colour You Are"4:46
3."Rain Tree Crow"2:04
4."Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)"3:38
5."Pocket Full of Change"6:08
6."Boat's for Burning"0:45
7."New Moon at Red Deer Wallow"5:12
8."Blackwater"4:19
9."A Reassuringly Dull Sunday"1:22
10."Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City"5:14
11."Scratchings on the Bible Belt"2:46
12."Cries and Whispers"2:31
Total length:45:53
2003 bonus track
No.TitleLength
13."I Drink to Forget"1:46
Total length:47:39

Personnel

[edit]

Rain Tree Crow

Additional musicians

Technical

  • David Sylvian – art director, mixing (1–13)
  • Pat McCarthy – engineering, mixing (2, 3, 6, 7, 11)
  • Steve Nye – mixing (1, 4, 5, 8–10, 12)
  • Al Stone – assistant mixing (1, 4, 5, 8–10, 12)
  • Shinya Fujiwara – cover photography
  • Russell Mills – design
  • Yuka Fujii – art director
  • Tim Martin – additional engineering
  • Paolo Carrer – assistant
  • Rupert Coulson – assistant
  • Louise McCormick – assistant
  • Bruce Davies – assistant
  • Paul Stevens – assistant
  • Richard Chadwick – co-ordinator
  • Tony Cousins – reissue remastering

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[11] 72
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[12] 49
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[13] 61
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 33
UK Albums (OCC)[1] 24

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rain Tree Crow was a short-lived English musical project formed in 1989 by the core members of the new wave band —vocalist and multi-instrumentalist , keyboardist , bassist and saxophonist , and drummer —reuniting after Japan's disbandment in 1982, without original guitarist Rob Dean. The group adopted the name Rain Tree Crow to distance itself from Japan's legacy, as Sylvian sought a fresh start focused on improvisational composition rather than reviving the old band name. Their sole release, the self-titled album Rain Tree Crow, was recorded across in 1989 and issued in April 1991 by , featuring a blend of , electronic, and ambient elements derived from spontaneous group sessions. The project originated from Sylvian's invitation to his former bandmates to collaborate on music emphasizing live , a technique he had refined in prior solo works and partnerships, such as with . Initially envisioned as a multi-album deal spanning six records, it was curtailed to one due to creative tensions, budget disputes with the label, and the label's preference for reviving the name despite Sylvian's opposition. Recording occurred over several weeks at Studio Miraval in and Condulmer Studio in , where the quartet captured performances directly to tape without pre-written material or rehearsals, resulting in a 45-minute collection of vocal and instrumental tracks exploring atmospheric soundscapes and subtle percussion. Critically acclaimed for its innovative approach and majestic textures, the earned an 8.8 out of 10 rating on and is regarded by Sylvian as his personal favorite collaboration with these musicians, influencing later experimental and genres. Despite modest commercial performance—peaking at number 24 on the —it remains a favorite among fans of progressive and , with recent reissues including a black vinyl edition in June 2025 highlighting its enduring chemistry and appeal.

History

Background and Formation

Japan was an English new wave and band formed in 1974 in , , by childhood friends (vocals, guitar, and keyboards), his brother (drums), (bass and saxophone), and (keyboards), with Rob Dean later joining on guitar. Drawing initial influences from acts like and , the group signed with Hansa in 1978, releasing their debut albums and that year, which received mixed reviews for their punky, exotic-tinged sound. After being dropped by the label, they joined in 1979 and refined their style into sophisticated and on albums like (1979), (1980), and Tin Drum (1981), the latter topping the UK charts and spawning hits such as "Ghosts" and "Visions of China." Despite this breakthrough success, the band disbanded in December 1982 amid escalating internal tensions, creative clashes—particularly between Sylvian and Karn—and pressures from commercial expectations that clashed with their artistic ambitions. In the years following Japan's dissolution, the members pursued diverse paths that highlighted their evolving interests beyond the band's new wave framework. Sylvian launched a solo career with Brilliant Trees in 1984 on Virgin Records, embracing ambient and experimental music through collaborations with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Holger Czukay, and Jon Hassell, blending ethereal soundscapes with subtle pop elements on tracks like "Red Guitar," which reached the UK Top 20. Mick Karn focused on solo releases such as Titles (1982) and world music fusion projects, including Dalis Car with Peter Murphy in 1984, incorporating Middle Eastern and Turkish influences into his distinctive fretless bass playing, while also contributing to sessions for artists like Kate Bush and Gary Numan. Meanwhile, Jansen and Barbieri teamed up as The Dolphin Brothers, releasing Catch the Fall in 1987 on Virgin, a more streamlined alternative rock effort that achieved limited commercial success. The reunion initiative began in 1989 when Virgin Records suggested the former Japan members reconvene, capitalizing on their legacy while offering a substantial budget for what was envisioned as a collaborative return; the quartet—Sylvian, Karn, Jansen, and Barbieri—agreed, drawn by personal healing from past conflicts and a shared interest in improvisation as a compositional tool, particularly appealing to Sylvian after his work with Czukay. To signify a departure from Japan's commercial image and enable a fresh, unbound exploration, they adopted the name Rain Tree Crow, evoking themes of renewal through imagery of rain nourishing trees and the symbolic crow, representing possibilities of new life rather than endings. Early planning surfaced tensions, however, as Virgin and some members advocated reusing the Japan name for broader pop accessibility and market appeal, while Sylvian firmly pushed for an experimental direction free from prior expectations, ultimately securing the new identity and independently mixing the results after budget overruns strained relations.

Recording Sessions

The recording sessions for Rain Tree Crow took place between September 1989 and April 1990, spanning several months of intensive collaboration among , , , and . The initial phase occurred at in Le Val, , where the group captured the bulk of their improvisational material over four to five weeks, followed by completion at Condulmer Studios near , , with additional work at Marcus Studios and Air Studios in . The creative approach marked a deliberate shift from the structured, Sylvian-led songwriting of their , emphasizing group and real-time composition without pre-rehearsals. left tapes rolling continuously to capture spontaneous performances, drawing inspiration from Sylvian's prior experiments with , which allowed for organic development of ideas into full tracks. This method incorporated ethnic instruments, such as Karn's and brass elements, alongside ambient soundscapes created through synthesizers like Barbieri's and Ensoniq VFX, fostering a textured, exploratory sound. Interpersonal challenges arose during the process, including tensions over leadership, with Karn expressing frustration at Sylvian's increasing control, which led to reworking of material and a sense of exclusion for the others. Though difficulties with —stemming from the members' limited formal training in the technique—prolonged sessions and exceeded the budget. These dynamics reflected a transitional "ending" for the collaborators, as Sylvian later described the project symbolically. Completion involved final mixing in 1990 at in , where Sylvian personally financed and oversaw edits with producer to refine the improvisations into cohesive songs, after declined further funding. This hands-on refinement ensured the album's warm, organic production while addressing the raw, extempore nature of the recordings.

Album Details

Musical Style and Composition

Rain Tree Crow's self-titled album represents a fusion of ambient textures, art rock experimentation, and world music rhythms, spanning 12 tracks over a runtime of 45:34 and prioritizing evocative atmospheres over melodic hooks. This sonic palette marks a deliberate departure from the polished synth-pop of the band's earlier incarnation as Japan, embracing instead an organic, exploratory aesthetic that evokes vast landscapes and emotional depth. The result is an album that balances accessibility with avant-garde leanings, where subtle pop undercurrents occasionally surface amid dense, immersive soundscapes. The project's influences draw heavily from David Sylvian's ambient solo phase, incorporating minimalist and introspective elements alongside global traditions such as Indian , Moroccan buzz drums, and other ethnic percussion that infuse the music with rhythmic vitality. Mick Karn's contributions further enrich this tapestry through his bass and work, evoking inflections including tribal and African-inspired grooves that add propulsion and texture. This evolution reflects a conscious shift toward improvisational freedom, contrasting the structured electronic precision of Japan's output and allowing for a more fluid, collaborative expression. Compositionally, the tracks emerge from extended jam sessions captured in real time, with Richard Barbieri's layered keyboards providing ethereal foundations, Steve Jansen's multifaceted percussion building rhythmic complexity, and Karn's versatile bass and reed instruments weaving intricate lines. Sylvian's vocals and lyrics center on themes of , transience, and personal introspection—evident in songs like "Every Colour You Are," which contemplates emotional transformation through vivid, metaphorical imagery. Unique to the album are integrations of field recordings, such as howling winds and snippets, alongside non-Western scales that enhance its otherworldly quality and underscore a sense of cultural and sonic displacement. This improvisational method, briefly informing the recording process, fostered a sense of spontaneity that permeates the final arrangements.

Original 1991 Release

The album Rain Tree Crow consists of 12 tracks with a total runtime of 45:34.
No.TitleDuration
1"Big Wheels in "7:08
2"Every Colour You Are"4:44
3"Rain Tree Crow"2:03
4"Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)"3:36
5"Pocket Full of Change"6:05
6"Boat's for Burning"0:45
7"New Moon at Wallow"5:10
8"Blackwater"4:18
9"A Reassuringly Dull Sunday"1:20
10"Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City"5:11
11"Scratchings on the "2:45
12""2:29
The original vinyl edition divides the tracks across two sides. Side A
  1. "Big Wheels in " – 7:08
  2. "Every Colour You Are" – 4:44
  3. "Rain Tree Crow" – 2:03
  4. "Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)" – 3:36
  5. "Pocket Full of Change" – 6:05
Side B
6. "Boat's for Burning" – 0:45
7. "New Moon at Wallow" – 5:10
8. "Blackwater" – 4:18
9. "A Reassuringly Dull Sunday" – 1:20
10. "Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City" – 5:11
11. "Scratchings on the " – 2:45
12. "" – 2:29

2003 Remastered CD Edition

The 2003 remastered CD edition includes the standard 12 tracks plus one bonus track, extending the total runtime to 47:30.
No.TitleDuration
13"I Drink to Forget"1:56

2019 Vinyl Reissue

The 2019 vinyl reissue replicates the original 1991 track listing and side divisions without any bonus content.

Personnel

Rain Tree Crow's lineup featured the four core members of the former band , each contributing multifaceted roles across vocals, instruments, and production. handled vocals, , guitars, , , additional percussion, bass, and synthesizers, while also contributing to keyboard programming. provided pulse bass, wah-wah , brass, pipes, and , incorporating experimental elements like the on select pieces. played drums, percussion (including ceramic drum, , Moroccan clay drum, and ), , and treated piano, alongside computer programming. contributed synthesizers and piano, with keyboard programming support from Sylvian. Guest musicians added specialized textures to individual tracks, enhancing the album's ethnic and ambient influences. On "Big Wheels in Shanty Town," Djene Doumbouya and Dianka Diabate provided vocals, Bill Nelson added guitar, and the Phantom Horns (arranged by Sylvian and Karn) appeared; Nelson also played guitar on "Blackwater." Phil Palmer contributed slide guitar to "Big Wheels in Shanty Town" and acoustic guitar to "Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)." Michael Brook offered bass conga on "Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)," guitar treatments on "Pocket Full of Change," percussion on "A Reassuringly Dull Sunday," and treatments on "Scratchings on the Bible Belt." Brian Gascoigne handled orchestration for "Red Earth (As Summertime Ends)." The album was produced by Rain Tree Crow collectively. Engineering was led by Pat McCarthy, with additional support from Tim Martin; mixing was done by Sylvian and (assisted by Al Stone) at in for most tracks, and by Sylvian and McCarthy at for "Every Colour You Are," "Rain Tree Crow," "Boat's for Burning," "New Moon at Red Deer Wallow," and "Scratchings on the Bible Belt." Mastering was by Tony Cousins at The . Recording coordination was managed by Chadwick, assisted by White, with studio assistants including Mohammed Loudly, Paolo Carrer, Rupert Coulson, Louise McCormick, Bruce Davis, and Paul Stevens. Artwork and design were created by Russell Mills, with art direction by Sylvian and Yuka Fujii, and cover photography by Shinya Fujiwara.

Release and Promotion

Commercial Release

Rain Tree Crow's self-titled album was released on 8 April 1991 by in the and , with international distribution handled through Virgin's global network. The project was marketed as the work of a new collaborative ensemble rather than a direct reunion, a deliberate choice by to create fresh intrigue and avoid preconceived expectations tied to the band's past, though promotion remained relatively subdued. The was issued in multiple formats, including (catalogue number CDV 2659), cassette (TCV 2659), and vinyl LP (V 2659 / 211 380), with initial pressings featuring standard jewel case packaging for s and a 12-page booklet containing artwork centered on natural motifs like trees and crows, reflecting the project's thematic emphasis on renewal and environmental imagery. No extensive touring supported the release, as underlying creative tensions among the members precluded live performances, limiting outreach to radio play and the lead single "Blackwater." The rollout was coordinated for a near-simultaneous global launch, ensuring availability across major markets shortly after the European debut; the Japanese edition, released via Virgin Japan, included unique packaging with an additional (VJCP-30087) tailored to local while retaining the core artwork. This approach aligned with Virgin's strategy to position the album as an experimental art-rock statement, though the lack of a full promotional campaign reflected the one-off nature of the collaboration.

Singles and Marketing

The lead single from Rain Tree Crow, "Blackwater", was released in March 1991 and peaked at number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. A promotional video for the track was directed by Nigel Grierson, featuring abstract imagery that aligned with the album's experimental aesthetic. "Every Colour You Are" appeared on 1991 promotional cassettes of the album, primarily for radio and press use, but no additional commercial singles followed due to the album's modest initial sales. Virgin Records' marketing campaign highlighted the project as a reunion of the musicians behind Japan's 1980s work without explicitly referencing the original band name, a decision driven by Sylvian's desire to establish a fresh identity amid label pressures to capitalize on nostalgia. Promotional efforts included interviews with Sylvian, , , and in music publications such as and , where they discussed the collaborative process and thematic inspirations. The band undertook no live performances, instead focusing on radio and print media to build anticipation ahead of the album's April 1991 release. Additional promotional materials encompassed electronic press kit (EPK) footage captured during the recording sessions, which showcased the group's improvisational dynamic, alongside targeted outreach to Sylvian's established solo fanbase through his and related networks.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Reception

Upon its release in 1991, Rain Tree Crow received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric depth and improvisational approach while critiquing its occasional lack of focus and limited commercial viability. awarded the album four out of five stars, highlighting its "gorgeous, atmospheric collection" of world-music-tinged pop songs that successfully revived the neo-tribal rhythms of the band's earlier work, with particular acclaim for tracks like "Blackwater" and "." echoed this positivity, commending the album's innovation in crafting cohesive material from group improvisations across multiple studios, describing it as a natural extension of 's late-period sound with vaguely Asian influences and urgent neo-fusion elements in songs such as "Blackcrow Hits Shoe Shine City." However, not all responses were favorable, with some reviewers noting a directionless quality amid the experimental textures. Album of the Year aggregated a score of 80 out of 100 based on limited professional assessments, but individual user critiques pointed to inconsistencies, such as one scoring it 60 for its "weird" tribal and dubby that occasionally overshadowed melodic . Common themes across these evaluations included admiration for the album's rich improvisational layers and sonic textures—evident in its ambient pop and elements—but criticisms centered on uneven cohesion and a perceived detachment from mainstream appeal, making it feel more like an esoteric extension of David Sylvian's solo explorations than a bold band reunion. In retrospective assessments during the 2000s and 2010s, the album has been reevaluated more favorably, often positioned as a precursor to due to its emphasis on mood, improvisation, and textural experimentation. A 2019 reappraisal in Far Out magazine lauded it as a "masterpiece" for its melancholic undertones and seductive melodies, crediting its organic production and world influences for enduring appeal beyond its initial niche reception. Fan consensus reflects this shift, with users averaging 3.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,300 ratings, appreciating its serene, cinematic tranquility while acknowledging its polarizing subtlety. Coverage of the album's global reception remains limited, particularly in markets like where the band's aesthetic influences were prominent and it peaked at number 49 on the chart, with few dedicated analyses exploring its cultural resonance there. As of 2025, no major reviews have notably altered this narrative, though user reviews such as a 4/5 rating on Prog Archives in October 2024 continue to praise its atmospheric qualities.

Chart Performance and Impact

Rain Tree Crow achieved moderate commercial success upon its release, peaking at number 24 on the in April 1991 and spending three weeks in the top 100. The album also charted in several other countries, reflecting the band's established European fanbase from their era, though it failed to break into the Billboard 200.
CountryPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
United Kingdom243
Canada (RPM)72Unknown
Japan (Oricon)49Unknown
Netherlands615
Sweden334
Global sales were modest, which contributed to the decision against a supporting tour despite critical interest. No UK certification was awarded, underscoring the album's limited commercial breakthrough compared to Japan's earlier hits like Tin Drum. The project's underwhelming performance marked the end of any full reunion for the four original Japan members, with internal creative differences and Sylvian's reluctance to revive the old band name further solidifying its one-off status. Despite commercial constraints, Rain Tree Crow had a notable immediate impact on the members' trajectories, directly inspiring the formation of Jansen/Barbieri/Karn (JBK) in 1993, a trio project that built on the album's improvisational and ambient leanings without Sylvian's involvement. The group released Beginning to Melt (1993), the EP Seed (1994), Ism (1999), and the live album Changing Hands (2001), with a box set reissued in 2025. Broader influence extended to the evolution of ambient and electronic music, with the album's experimental textures cited in discussions of post-rock's foundations; for instance, its atmospheric soundscapes resonated with acts like Bark Psychosis, influencing their shift toward immersive, non-rock structures in works such as Hex. The record's blend of world music elements and studio improvisation helped bridge 1980s art pop to 1990s ambient explorations.

Reissues and Subsequent Projects

In 2003, released a remastered edition of Rain Tree Crow on CD in a digipack format, with the audio remastered by Tony Cousins at Mastering in ; this version included the previously unavailable bonus track "I Drink to Forget," originally a B-side to the "Blackwater" single. The remastering enhanced the album's ambient and experimental textures, preserving the original 1991 tracklist while adding the extra material for collectors. A deluxe vinyl reissue followed in 2019, pressed on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl by UMC/Virgin EMI Records, featuring the standard nine tracks without additional bonuses but with improved sound quality and an included digital download card. This edition aimed to appeal to audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts, replicating the original artwork while utilizing modern pressing techniques for clarity in the album's intricate soundscapes. The album has been available on major digital streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, since the early 2010s, allowing broader accessibility without significant updates or new editions reported through 2025. Rain Tree Crow represented the final full collaboration among the four original members of Japan—David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Richard Barbieri, and Steve Jansen—shifting their individual paths afterward. Jansen, Barbieri, and Karn formed the instrumental trio JBK (Jansen/Barbieri/Karn), which released Beginning to Melt (1993), Seed (1994 EP), Ism (1999), and Changing Hands (2001 live), building on the ambient, improvisational, and electronic elements first rekindled in Rain Tree Crow, with a box set reissued in 2025. Sylvian, meanwhile, pursued his solo career, incorporating world music and experimental influences in releases like Dead Bees on a Cake (1999) and Blemish (2003). Mick Karn's death from cancer on January 4, 2011, at age 52, elicited widespread tributes from the music community, many of which highlighted his distinctive bass and work on Rain Tree Crow as a pinnacle of his contributions alongside . These memorials, including fan messages on official sites and statements from collaborators, underscored the album's role in his later creative resurgence.

References

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