To simply label Rain And Other Things as a techno/trans ambient project would be to commit a felony. Brian Hardin, the man behind the machine of Wonder In Blue, has created an album that may be one of the major stepping stones to the next level of contemporary music. With Rain And Other Things, Hardin provides us with a wide range of rhythms and instruments from many different genres of music. Lyrically, the project is a journey that takes us through a man's struggles to the answers with which God enlightens him.
This may be Brian Hardin's first project of his own, but if you think he's a new face in the music scene, think again. Hardin has been producing and arranging projects for about six years now. In 1995, for example, he arranged, co-wrote, and mixed Holli and Christi Banks' 1995 instrumental album, Angels, which was Dove- and Grammy-nominated. Hardin has been involved and influenced by such musical styles as R&B, jazz, rock/blues, and "new age."
This debut Wonder In Blue project includes six contemporary creations. They range from eclectic mixes such as "Need" and "Take Me Back" to slower and more subtle tracks like "Lies That Bind" and "Little Men." These tracks carry the main story line of the entire project. "Need" introduces the album with Hardin's first realization. The fact that this track talks about his need for God to be near him makes the listener wonder why Hardin has such a need. The answer to that is found in the songs "Lies That Bind," "Take Me Back," and "Whisper." These songs share the emotional, physical, and philosophical struggles that Hardin had been experiencing. He then comes to his second realization in "Take Me Back"-that the only way to find healing from his failures in his past struggles is through God's everlasting love. Once the healing of the past is complete, Hardin then comes to more realizations through the songs "Whisper" and "Love Will Not Care." These two songs describe God showing him how the past struggles have been used to make the present reality, and that God brings healing and revelation through the making of a bigger picture in life. Finally, the last of these six songs, "Little Men," looks to the future as Hardin sings a prayer to his young sons, hoping that they become wise and find God faster and easier than he did.
The album also includes four instrumental tracks and two dance/club songs. The instrumental tracks, well-placed in the flow of the "story line" of the album, also seem to follow Hardin's journey to know God, representing emotions that cannot be described in lyrics. The dance/club songs, "Speak" and "Do You Really Want To Know Love?" don't seem to flow very well with the album's musical or lyrical theme. To me, they feel like commercial breaks in a movie. However, they are very good commercials...
People who enjoy music such as Enigma, Deep Forest, and the Brentwood project Rhythm Of Creation, should take a look at Rain And Other Things. This album has a very distinct sound and style to it that makes it a jewel in the sea of techno projects out right now. I will be looking forward to listening to future journeys of Brian Hardin, a.k.a. Wonder in Blue.
Other coverage for this album
7ball #7Reviewed by Chris WellRain and Other Things from Wonder in Blue, the brainchild of producer Brian Hardin, is awash in lush, pop symphonies of dreams and despair. Addressing both his desperate need for God's love and his struggles to forgive those who have betrayed him, Hardin has set his home movies to a soundtrack that recalls the willowy pop of Enya, PM Dawn or Deep Forest. The epicenter of the record seems to be…
