Dragging prog into the 21st century
So after a handful of singles, and the 'Cautionary Tales for the Brave' mini album, Pure Reason Revolution have arrived with their full-length debut. If you own a copy of the mini album you've probably spotted from the track list of 'The Dark Third', that there are three songs making a repeat appearance. Whereas this might be a frustration at first, you can console yourselves with the knowledge that you were with this band from the very start.
Pure Reason Revolution list Pink Floyd, Super Furry Animals, Led Zeppelin and Beach Boys as bands that they love and who have had an influence on them. Apart from highlighting the fact that they have a very fine record collection, it gives a clue as to what a well crafted, intelligently produced and fascinatingly executed set of songs this record is set to be.
The Floyd comparison is as noticeable as shining a bright light directly into somebody's eyes from the moment the record begins. There is an aerie feel to 'Aeropause' at first, as it builds into one of those long instrumental album openings. In fact unless you're looking at the track number on your stereo, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this was simply a long intro but actually as the vocals appear it becomes 'Goshens Remains'.
Don't think this is just a Floyd rip off though, that opening has a heavier rock edge running through it. Interestingly Pure Reason Revolution have taken the rock side to their music a stage further than on previous releases, 'Twycyn/Trembling Willows' is just one point where this is evident.
At times this album has some polished and well packaged, what might be described as radio friendly songs on it. At other points it wanders off into a world of it's own. Both compliment each other well and makes this an album where you never know what to expect next.
The most intriguing example of experimentation is during the opening part of 'The Bright Ambassadors of Morning'. Either they've sampled bird song or it's clever keyboard trickery at work, but that and the sinister nature to the music gives this the feel of a score to a film, where someone is in an environment which on the face of it seems peaceful, however something unpleasant is about to happen to them, usually in these cases it involves death!
There are a few bands around who are making music which can be labeled as Prog Rock with a modern twist, Mars Volta and Porcupine Tree come to mind. Both of those, along with Pure Reason Revolution are very much doing their own thing, but the connection between them is that, although there is a Prog nature to the music they produce, it cannot be labeled as pretentious and these bands are certainly not showing off. This record will take you a few listens for it to find it's way under your skin. Once 'The Dark Third' has reached that point it is definitely a satisfying and rewarding album.