Rullian is a California-based all-instrumental progressive rock/fusion band led by guitarist Raoul Rañoa. “Chameleons In Disguise” is the second CD from this amazing band, influenced by Sixpence None The Richer, Muse, The Propellerheads, Leo Kottke, Danny Elfman, Joe Satriani, Radiohead and others.
Chameleons In Disguise” is a journey: 65 minutes of surprising, refreshing, exploding, sensational music. Every track is completely different from the others: you hear divine guitars but also piano, viola, tender violin and superb percussion (Reynolds Rap!). You never now what’s next, but it never bores and it all fits in perfectly. 
From overwhelming beautiful moments: “Wish I Was Here“, “Don’t It Feel Like Sunshine?”, “Three Blue Moons In A Row“ (outstanding, breathtaking!) and “Reaching For Peace And Getting A Handful of Sky” over rock ( The Afternoon You Left), metal (Robotomy, ), techno; “Fugitive Micron Particles“, world music: “Killer Africanized Honey Beats”, till the Vai/Satriani style in “Latin Influenced European Rock Saga... “ and of course “Stacked Bravado”.
“Chameleons In Disguise” is the soundtrack of a fantastic voyage that brings you to space and back on the road again, in Spanish taverns (“Driveway Dust”), beach walks in the pale moonlight, Irish pubs (“Song For Ghosts”) and wherever your fantasy, guided by this music, will take you.
Conclusion: if you’re in for a good mix of sensational music in different styles: buy it and enjoy it over and over again!!
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The brainchild of "uber-guitarista," Raoul Ranoa is back with a sonic-funk journey through the time and space continuum. How do you characterize the uncharacterizable? That is the question.
This album at times is a James Bond soundtrack from the '70s, while others is the music behind Starsky and Hutch during an intriguing chase scene filled with 300hp cars and cheap cologne. Other times like track five "Kite Ride to Anywhere" there are touching emotional ballads filled with enough tears to tip a barrel. Then it's off into the inter-galactic realm with cuts like "Fugitive Micron Particles" a cut full of space age techno babble and lots of flair. Then there are beautiful stringed instruments (viola ,violin) played by Ann Hackman on "Three Blue Moons in a Row" that make this album so much more then the funk-fusion one may expect from the first few tracks.
More diversity is seen and seemingly explored on "Proper Stella and the Irish Wolfhound" a song that is a folk-rock Renaissance Faire joint. Back in the 21st Century drummer Will Bagby shows his talents in an extraordinary fashion on "Reynolds Rap."
Folks, you can see the extreme diversity here and that is both a pro and a con to the listener, as the album has no real flow or cohesion; it is simply 26 separate rock-fusion tracks. If you are looking for a guitar virtuoso album, this is certainly not it. If you are a fan of any genre of metal, this will not wet your palette either. All in all though, if you simply want good music to listen and relax to, this is one of the most unique quality offerings in years!
Buy one put it in the changer and you will have the perfect background music for date night, that's for sure. This may even be perfect for a long arduous car ride where you do not want to hear the person you are traveling with ramble on. Put this in, relax and enjoy. I commend Ranoa for going outside the paradigm and creating quality music, not being forced to constantly shred or show off. Bravo Raoul. Bravo.
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I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to review Rullian’s debut CD, “Is This My Guitar or An Albatross?”, way back in 2002. As we move forward and 2006 comes to a close I am happy to have the pleasure of reviewing Rullian’s latest effort, “Chameleon In Disguise.”

As was indicated on “Is This My Guitar or An Albatross” Raoul’s creativity knows no bounds – “Chameleon In Disguise” is more evidence of that. Raoul has the skills and knowledge to exploit that creativity into unique nuggets of musical sound. He likes to describe his efforts as music for the soundtrack minded – not that I disagree, but what I hear is sonic ruminations melded and orchestrated into joyful, often playful, songs.  Sonic territory explored includes everything from rave-ups, to swinging jazz, to sweet ballads, to bouncing funk, to quasi-techno outbursts, to various forms of world music, and straight-ahead rockers – it’s all included on “Chameleon In Disguise.”

Certain tracks herk and jerk like involuntary spasms – and I mean that in the best way possible. Whether a seamless transition or a deliberate attempt to infuse the listener with juxtaposed sound, “Chameleon In Disguise” begs to be heard. It’s an imaginative tour de force. I’m not culturally adept and I would be an absolutely failure at “Name That Tune.” As such, I’m sure there are musical references to TV show themes, commercial jingles, and other similar and familiar melodies that just completely escape me at the moment.

Rullian’s “Chameleon In Disguise” would be a welcome addition to the CD collection of any fan who appreciates instrumental music.

Support a good cause – all proceeds (not just profits) from the sale of “Chameleon In Disguise” go to the Humane Society.

Rullian is Raoul kicking ass at most everything. Assistance provided by Charlie Alvarez on bass, Chris Williams on bass, Luke Kelly on piano and keyboards, Ann Hackman on violin and viola, Chris LeRoy on piano and keyboards, and Will Bagby on drums and bongos.
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Rullian boasts a bright surprising flavor. Weaving in elements of acoustic and indie in a tapestry of hard rock, metal and prog, "Chameleons in Disguise" is an engaging casserole of flavors deftly blended into a solid sound that catches the listener and keeps the surprises coming. The songwriting is strong and capable and the execution equally good.  Rullian brings some freshness to the music world, indeed.
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