La venue de Pure Reason Revolution chez nous constituera encore un grand moment !
Ce groupe de jeunes Anglais, immédiatement remarqué et signé par Sony, distribué en Europe par Inside/Out, embarqué sur les tournées mondiales de Steve Wilson et consorts (Porcupine Tree et Blackfield), est un des grands espoirs du rock progressif moderne. Progressif dont ils ne revendiquent d'ailleurs pas nécessairement le terme ... l'heure n'est plus aux étiquettes !
Avec l'album "The Dark Third", ils avaient réussi le coup de force de présenter une musique résolument jeune et moderne, capable de plaire aux ados d'aujourd'hui, et de séduire en même temps le public progressif.
Comme si mélanger Nirvana et Beach Boys devenait tout à coup possible ...
Pure Reason Revolution est actuellement en train d'écrire son deuxième album ... dont la sortie devrait être à peu près concommitente à notre convention 2008.
Jon Courtney - vocals, guitars, keyboards
Chloe Alper - vocals, bass guitars, keyboard
Jamie Willcox - vocals, guitars
Paul Glover - drums
Le MySpace du groupe : http://www.myspace.com/purereasonrevolution
2006
Courtney J, Dobson and Jong met at Westminster University 2000-2003[8] and went through a number of name changes before settling on Pure Reason Revolution (PRR), including "The Wow"[9] and "Pendulum Dawn".
The band signed to Alan McGee's Poptones label for a one-off release of "Apprentice of the Universe"[10] (peaking at #74 in a national chart).[11]
Signing to SonyBMG in autumn 2004, the following year saw the band releasing two singles - the 12-minute long Bright Ambassadors of Morning (the title is from a line in Pink Floyd's Echoes on the Meddle album), and The Intention Craft - plus one mini-album, Cautionary Tales for the Brave. This was released to make up for delays in recording that meant the band would miss its original launch window. The use of so many of the proposed album tracks on a mini-album led the band to develop some new material for the album, including "The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows". Releases were on the band's own Holograph imprint, via SonyBMG.
In March 2005, the band played the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, before playing several North American dates,[12] and they regularly played on the British club circuit. During this time, PRR supported Mew,[13] Hope of the States,live review]</ref> Secret Machines, and Oceansize,[14] as well as headlining their own gigs[15] and recorded sessions for Mark Radcliffe's Radio Two show and XFM. In spring 2005, Jong left the band, to be replaced by another Westminster pal Jamie Willcox, though it is Jong's work featured on recorded output up to, and including, The Dark Third. Both Jong and Willcox receive credits on the The Dark Third album, though neither has an individual 'Thank You' section.
The band sometimes allows fans to listen to streaming material via its MySpace website, including works in progress and exclusive Christmas tracks.
The first full-length album, The Dark Third was released in the UK on April 10th 2006, and was produced by Paul Northfield (Rush, Porcupine Tree, Gentle Giant, Hole).[16] A US version of the album containing the original, pre-Cautionary Tales mooted tracklisting and amended artwork was released in the USA on 25 July 2006.
In summer 2006, with his wife, Susanne Courtney, being pregnant with their first child, Andrew Courtney left the band. He was replaced by Paul Glover, formerly of the band Wire Jesus.
Jim Dobson then left the band in November 2006. Although there was no formal announcement regarding his departure, a notice on the band's forum explained that nothing more could be said, for "legal reasons."
In December 2006, the band parted company with Sony/BMG, but the mini-album and full album continued to sell. Combined worldwide sales now stand at 20,000.[citation needed]
On 16 February 2007, the European version was released under licence to InsideOut Music.
Pure Reason Revolution supported Blackfield on their European tour in February 2007. This was their first support tour with new drummer Paul Glover. Their live set had few changes, one of which was a reworked reprise of 'Golden Clothes', in which all band members (minus Glover, who is drumming) play synthesizers and end singing a cappella.
Following the tour, the band began recording the follow-up to The Dark Third. In June, the band journeyed to the US again to play at the 2007 edition of the renowned progressive/art rock festival NEARfest, as well as at three other clubs. These shows saw the debut of a new song called "Deus Ex Machina". Pure Reason Revolution also opened for Porcupine Tree on their 'Tour Of A Blank Planet' European tour in June/July 2007.
The band played just one more UK date in 2007, on the 15th October at Southampton University.
The band is releasing a 4-track EP of "Victorious Cupid" on ORG Records on 14 April 2008, accompanied by a one-off London show on 12 April 2008.[17][18] and the album is expected in the autumn of 2008.
The band have recently signed to German label Superball Music for the release of their next album, about which manager Jonathan Cooke made the following statment: "It was refreshing to find a situation that combines the artist commitment and enthusiasm of an indie with the ambition of a major. Signing a longer-term deal with Superball Music for album 2 onwards was an easy decision to make!"[19]
Lu sur PROGARCHIVES :
While the band's dreamy soundscapes, heavy melodies, and somewhat formulaic songwriting may not be very groundbreaking-- they are remarkably fun to listen to.
The Dark Third wears its influences on its sleeve and delivers its derivative goods with an exuberance and excitement that rivals their inspirations'. Songs are a mix of epic space-pop, usually with delicate, spacey strings/synth and a few tender vocals which gradually build to powerful, riff-based shout choruses which are immediately catchy and sometimes memorable. Instrumental virtuosity is understated, with no guitar or keyboard solos to speak of, but all members play powerfully during the dramatic stuff, which is mixed into the swirling nebula of textures and tinkling atmosphere effectively. Vocals are somewhat bland, but since there are four different voices in the mix (including the feminine), variety makes up for quality.
While Third Dark will probably not impress fans of hard progressive rock, it will more than likely please younger and crossover fans, maybe even being a progressive gateway band... we all had one after all.
