RAIN BEFORE SEVEN//LIMITED

Description

Rain Before Seven..., the fifth studio album by Penguin Cafe, is imbued with an optimism free of bravado and excessive confidence, a cheerful and discreet optimism, typical of the British character. Even when everything suggests otherwise, it is permeated by the certainty that everything will be fine. Probably. From the dream projected in cinemascope by the opening track "Welcome to London," with its mischievous nod to Ennio Morricone, to "Goldfinch Yodel," at the conclusion of the album, there is a very pleasant optimism, with the exoticism of its rhythmic exuberance constantly in the background. Playfulness is omnipresent, with a reference to the album A Matter of Life... from 2021, which also ended with ellipses... This first album by Penguin Cafe bridged the legendary Penguin Cafe Orchestra, led by Simon Jeffes, Arthur's father, and its successful heir, led by Arthur.
Listening to Rain Before Seven..., it becomes clear that the themes explored transcend simple weather conversation. In a sense, it is a sound journal scribbled under the parapet, waiting for the danger to dissipate. Jeffes, like many, found himself confined in 2020. The first country affected by COVID-19 was Italy, where he and his family were staying at the time in an old Tuscan convent, purchased about twelve years ago with his mother, the famous sculptor Emily Young.