Up until about a week ago I’d never even heard of Pure Reason Revolution, but I’m already regretting not having them in my life earlier as their new album, Amor Vincit Omnia, whizzes around in my CD player like a merry-go-round.
Pure Reason Revolution
Opening with a track fit for any disco, Les Malheurs, I’m an instant fan and I can’t help but admire how the clan fuse together great rock ‘n roll with dirty electro beats, pop harmonies and a good old catchy riff.
Curious to see if second in line, Victorious Cupid, can live up to expectations, i am surprised to find that it begins like something you would here in the build up to a club scene in a film, with a faint intro before popping right into the chorus at a feverous pace.
I've got to admit that Keep Me Sane / Insane isn't really my kind of a song, but at just under a minute, it provides adequate filler between songs two and four, that being Apogee which begins very similar to Marmaduke Duke's latest offering, Kid Gloves, yet at five minutes long, fails to live up to Simon Neil and co and just leaves me, well reaching for a coffee pot.
Regardless of whether my ears like it or not, the fact that their musicianship is tight, strong and urgent is effortless and i have to take my hat off to these guys; because no one else is making music quite like this, and with no one to 'copy off' they do a great job at standing out from the crowd, and doing it ever so well.
My favourite track on here has to be Deus Ex Machina which opens with a riff so catchy, you just want to start swanning around you local nightspot in platform heels and seducing every hot man in the place - not that i do that though mum, if you're reading this....
I'm completely overwhelmed by the addictive beats that build up in the first 1.30min of this track, and i find myself importing the album straight into my iTunes. When the vocals do kick in, you can see some similarities between Jon Courtney's voice and that of Matt Bellamy or Brian Molko, but it is the huge, smashing chorus that really wins me over, as i can't get enough of the track and am almost ready to get in my car and blast it out as i steam down the M6 - Oh and I don't speed either mum (if you're still reading this!)
Bloodless is another song that exploits the musical ability of this band, and it shows a softer side to their music as we're taken on a magical carpet ride into their electronic world which can't help to be emotionally moving and there is no way that anyone can listen to this album and not admire these musicians.
Disconnect is just another wonderful song, the intro isn't really for me, but that who robot voice never did anything wrong for Daft Punk or Squarepusher now did it? and when we actually get to the meat of the song, there is nothing more than musical joy filling the speakers, and for the first time, I’m actually thinking; 'wow, this band are proper amazing!'
The Gloaming is a bit of a mission to listen to at just under ten minutes, and i'm not convinced Top Of The Pops would be booking them for a show if they were demanding half of the running time with their song, actually, i doubt anyone would be over enthusiastic to let such a long song take over the airwaves, but when you're enjoying the album at your own pace, i suppose it's okay, and it's well worth a listen.
Avo, the album’s eighth and track, closes the latest chapter in the Pure Reason Revolution book on a mercifully high note, driven by a beautiful work on the piano keys, intertwined with ethereal vocals and your bog standard 'bing, bong' electronica sound that we've now grown to know and love from PRR, as the song, and album reaches an ear smashingly epic climax, I am already emailing all my musical friends to tell them about this musical revolution. And they love it!
Still not convinced? Well what are you bloody waiting for mate, get out and buy it pronto, you want to be in the know before all your mates after all don't you? Oh, and if Chloë Alper ever gets another job, feel free to give me a call.
Rating:
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FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison
Deus Ex Machina 4.5/5