Rockfreaks.net

Sushi Rain

Breathless

Written by: PP on 29/11/2011 15:58:51

I've been ranting about band names frequently in my recent reviews, but with good reason. Because let me ask you this: what are the chances that band called Sushi Rain will release a relevant and/or interesting piece of music in 2011? Virtually zero, right? The retarded name says everything you need to know about this Italian band and their debut album "Breathless", but in case it didn't, their choice in genre should: "Breathless" is an experiment combining classic rock together with funk rock/metal. Yeah. There are rap sequences mixed with classic rock solos. Facepalm.

Even without the classic rock influence (think Living Colour, Extreme, that sort of bands here), this funk metal stuff stopped being cool with "S.C.I.E.N.C.E" and that was back in 1997. Yet Sushi Rain insist on bringing it back almost a decade and a half later. Granted, the bass lines are really funky and all over the place, contributing perhaps the only positive aspect of "Breathless". The vocals and the guitars would've felt dated in early 90s already, the songs are nothing but showcases of instrumental wankery left and right, where the choruses are full of 80s cheese.

Granted, you could argue that within funk rock and/or classic rock, Sushi Rain isn't all that bad. It fulfils the standard qualities expected within those genres: vibrato singing, clean guitar melodies, progressive vibes (think YES), etc. Those ingredients are all strongly present. But even in this context "Breathless" is merely a standard issue. When put together with the fact that it sounds like it's two decades late with its sound, I just don't see why any of you readers should care.

Download: Fly, Don't Waste More Than Tears
For the fans of: Living Colour, Extreme, Yes
Listen: Myspace

Release date 12.04.2011
Self-Released