Sadly, time has all but forgotten Rain Like the
Sound of Trains, despite the fact that the Washington, D.C.-based band
issued an incredible album through long-running and well-respected label
Dischord, a split release with their own imprint, Rebel Music. They
made incredible music that opened many minds and hearts to alternative
political ideas and ways of living. They also had a couple of single
releases to their credit by the time they disbanded in 1995. Rain Like
the Sound of Trains' music was funky, quirky, very rhythmic, and
percussion-based, with jangely, clean guitars, fluid bass lines, and a
dual vocalist approach. Their sound confounded many more traditionally
minded punk listeners yet astonished many more fans of punk rock, indie
rock, and other styles of music with its depth, dexterity, and the
overall level of musicianship amongst the band's earnest members. Rain
Like the Sound of Trains specialized in delivering educational,
informative, and challenging anthems against the status quo, questioning
the American educational system, the concept of history, diet and
nutrition, the logging industry, the two-party political system, and
consumer culture with-well articulated, personalized, and somehow
non-preachy lyrics. The band was formed by some ex-members of the
seminal D.C. punk outfit Soulside -- a group that would also spawn Girls
Against Boys. They issued a 7" single in 1993, containing the songs
"Bad Man's Grave" and "Cooking With Anger." A second 7" followed
featuring the song "What I Want," which also included a moving
re-interpretation of the Clash classic "Washington Bullets." In 1994,
they entered Texas' Sweatbox studios with producer Tim Kerr and recorded
what would be their only full-length release. Graphic artist/musician
Jason Farrell designed the packaging -- printed on 100 percent recycled
paper -- for the self-titled album. The CD version also included both
previous 7" releases. Shortly before issuing another small release (four
songs recorded by Geoff Turner at WGNS Studios in December 1994 and
released the following year as a 7" by Southern Records), the group went
their separate ways, with members going on to join Sevens, Slowdime,
and the Sorts, among other notable bands.
Tracklist
| 1 |
Puzzled States |
2:44
|
| 2 |
Held Back |
3:49
|
| 3 |
The Goods |
3:49
|
| 4 |
Unplug |
2:40
|
| 5 |
Branching Out |
3:36
|
| 6 |
So Long As Forever |
6:29
|
| 7 |
Missed |
2:30
|
| 8 |
Pave America |
4:06
|
| 9 |
School |
5:18
|
| 10 |
Bad Man´s Grave |
4:56
|
| 11 |
Cooking With Anger |
2:37
|
| 12 |
What I Want |
4:50
|
| 13 |
Washington Bullets |
9:25 |
