View The Review
9 out of 10
With a handful of EPs, singles and a debut album already under their belt, Pure Reason Revolution will undoubtedly be a name familiar to many. After two lineup changes and a fairly quiet couple of years, they have thankfully returned at full strength.
Their older material is arguably some of the best progressive rock to come out of the UK in recent years. So although I’m already a fan of their music, what I’m actually hoping for when I give Amor Vincit Omnia its first spin is a new coat of arms to keep things fresh. What I’m greeted with is a distinctly 80s sounding electro beat, sounding like nothing they've ever tried before. I’m already sold. If the opener is anything to go by, they’ve taken quite a bold step towards a different direction, but it’s clear they’ve done it with confidence and self belief.
First single ’Victorious Cupid’ is a classic PRR rocker, sounding more akin to their original sound which culminated in The Dark Third. Second single ’Deus Ex Machina’ in contrast, is the perfect showcase for their newer direction; a mid paced electro rocker with a well defined groove and a massive chorus that’ll have you running for the dance floor.
Jon Courtney’s voice is as distinct and infectious as ever, with his vocal performance being once again fuelled by bass guitarist Chloe Alper's and guitarist Jamie Willcox's contributing harmonies, resulting in a warm blast of melody amidst the staccato rhythms. The more than occasional use of retro noises and beeps to envelop the dreamy soundscapes and spiky electro beats is inspired, although at times luring my mind to wander off in nostalgic reminiscence of 80s video games.
The digital influence definitely holds a prominent position on this album, but rather than sending them off on a tangent from which they might never return, it fits like the final piece to a jigsaw puzzle and completes the picture. Complementing the music at all the right moments, controlling the pace of the album and giving off a pseudo stripped down sound, only to reveal a multitude of layers upon repeated listens. Strangely enough however, Amor Vincit Omnia has a very immediate appeal and is by no means a ’grower’.
The three-way vocal harmonies as ever are paramount to the Pure Reason Revolution sound, and consequently the slight change of direction in other areas feels more like an evolution of styles and personalities than a blind quest for true identity.
It loses control slightly towards the end and drifts off into airy electronic anonymity, but picks itself up quite spectacularly before the end with the genius harmonies of album closer ’AVO’ that promises to stay with you for weeks.
Intelligently crafted and ambitious progressive rock with striking character, Amor Vincit Omnia is an achievement pulled off with effortless persuasion by a band who have once again cemented themselves as leaders and not followers.
This is definitely still the Pure Reason Revolution that created The Dark Third, however they have achieved something that countless bands before them have not only failed to do, but have ended up destroying themselves in the process. To change direction and to find the right path is no mean feat. Perhaps not at their destination quite yet, but now they've shown us what they are capable of, the revolution is surely but a whisper away.
Listen: www.myspace.com/purereasonrevolution
Tracklist:
1. Les Malheurs
2. Victorious Cupid
3. i) Keep Me Sane/Insane
4. ii) Apogee iii) Requiem For The Lovers
5. Deus Ex Machina
6. Bloodless
7. Disconnect
8. The Gloaming
9. AVO
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