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Evolving out of years of improvised "stoner rock," Titan's A Raining Sun of Light and Love, For You and You and You crosses through a few genres, but makes certain not to stray too far from 70's progressive rock. One important distinction, however, is that it is never exactly clear what Titan make of the pretentiousness and self-importance of that era. From the stark album cover to the near-omission of track titles, mystery seems to be the focal point of a release that may not require it. Consisting of four ten-minute tracks, A Raining Sun of Light and Love comes across as if the listener is sitting in on a private jam session of a band whose members are particularly locked in with one another that day. Whether to credit this to the talents of the band or to the live recording technique of engineer Steve Revitte - of Liars and Beastie Boys fame - is left up to interpretation. The quartet is made up of drummer Dave Liebowitz and multi-instrumentalists Josh Anzano (guitar), Kris D'Agostino (keyboards), and Dan Bates (bass). Aside from the scattered vocals throughout the opener "Annals of the Former World," Titan are presented as an instrumental act. This is probably what helps to define the group as progressive, as the speedy leads of D'Agostino on keyboard and Anzano on guitar direct the tracks more than anything else. The psychedelic jam sessions are broken up by a handful of quick tempo changes and dynamic cues - but for the most part, remain locked in a steady groove. If forced to pinpoint exactly why Titan sound 'psychedelic,' it would certainly include the spacey, whirling effects on tracks such as "Averuf Der Pilze." When these are laid atop 70's-evoking riffs - powerfully played by Anzano and Bates, the sense that the effort is an homage to progressive rock is undeniable. Yet the fact that A Raining Sun of Light and Love comes across as an homage (and not impersonation) is a testament to both the production and the energy of the album. The tonal scope achieved is inseparable from modern rock, from the crashing percussion to the forceful lows of guitar. While fans of psychedelic rock will certainly not be disappointed, at no point during the CD is there a feeling of shoegaze sluggishness - but rather a very distinct cohesiveness more suggestive of metal. Overall the effort is quite solid, and there is an impending sense that something stronger is attainable from a group of musicians that show such talent on their debut.

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