Track Listing

1. Aeropause
2. Goshen's Remains
3. Apprentice of the Universe
4. Bright Ambassadors of Morning
5. Nimos and Tambos
6. Voices in Winter/In the Realms of the Divine
7. Bullitts Domin�
8. Arrival/The Intention Craft
9. He Tried to Show Them Magic/Ambassadors Return

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136565 in Music
• Released on: 2006-07-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The debut album from London’s Pure Reason Revolution, The Dark Third suggests that progressive rock, long-treated as a pariah in self-respecting musical circles, is no longer afraid to speak its name. Boasting a name inspired by Kantian philosophy, a number of songs in two distinct ‘movements’, and a flagship single – the mighty "The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning" – that clocks in at twelve minutes in length, here is a band unafraid to untether the unicorns of ambition and let them gallop free. This is not always a wise idea. Without the sheer, dazzling proficiency of Yes or the hulking heaviness of King Crimson, affairs occasionally get bogged down in a mire of sub-Sigur Ros atmospherics that drift along with little discernable purpose. There are, however, a number of saving graces: the Beach Boys-inspired vocal interplay of John Courtney and Chloe Alper, voices coalescing in lullaby-like harmonies; or an occasional, sparking heaviness that manifests most clearly on the tricksy, hard-riffing climax to ‘The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows’. An epic undertaking, and sometimes it feels that way, but fans of new-wave proggers like Mew or Muse ought to be up to the challenge. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews

wait...it's 5 stars for a reason
there are few artists that deserve the full 5 stars, even though even seems to give their favourite band 'top marks' regardless of how good an album/single is.

the first time i heard PRR's music, was at a live show - they were supporting oceansize (a worthy act to play with the 'size, i thought) and i believe that is where their real talent shows.

between songs there was always some sort of "background noise" making their entire set seamless. and not a word was uttered except a quiet, "thank you" at the end.

4 part harmonies are what strikes the listen most on the first listen, and the way everything seems to just flow together.

this band cannot be musically compared to anyone specifically, but influences could be drawn, perhaps, from Pink Floyd, the Beach Boys and/or Rage Against The Machine. perhaps, i say.

the music is progressive, melodic and driving. it changes moods, yet flows brilliantly. I have not a copy of their album, but heard all the songs at their gig. i have purchased other releases which, though fantastic, did not totally capture the live sound that i have experienced of them. so if there is one thing i can think of to criticize, it would be that.

however, don't let that put you off - they are a trully talented 5 piece, who can do magic with sounds.

Best new band/album in years
I bought it because of a review in a sunday paper giving it 1 star out of 5 and the statement, "pure prog madness". The standard reviewer likes good short snappy 3 minute rock/punk songs - and this doesn't deliver that. So I thought it must be alright!

This is more ambitious, exciting and fresh than anything I have heard in a long time now. This is a world away from the bland music that tends to permeate the charts at the moment.

Be brave and give it a go . . . but . . .

The thing is, I think you will either love it or hate it - there isn't much middle-ground here. So if you love chart music, you probably won't like this. However, if you like rock and have a secret admiration for prog (Yes, Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Flaming Lips, Secret Machines etc.) or rock with a prog tendency (Queen, Led Zep, Radiohead, Muse, Porcupine Tree), then there is every chance you'll love it. This band doesn't really sound like any of them though - it is quite new.

Each song is solid and exciting in its own way - and they all fit togther to make a consitently good album - no two songs are the same, or similar, and there are no tracks that you want to skip. I have listened to it every day since I bought it back in April and am not growing tired of it.

I really hope this band keep going and keep growing. There aren't many albums that I really love - but this is definitely one of them - and I hope there are more in the pipeline . . .

Exciting full length debut from promising young prog band
There does seem to be a definite upsurge in interest in prog rock. Not the usual smug battering the genre usually gets, but something more positive and acceptable is abound. With the likes of The Mars Volta, Porcupine Tree, Coheed and Cambria and Oceansize all getting attention in the mainstream rock press, bands are clearly embracing the likes of Rush, Yes, King Crimson and Pink Floyd with relish. Latest new kids on the block are Pure Reason Revolution from London. This, their debut full length album is full of youthful energy and clearly a band for the future. These guys love harmonies and they are in abundance all over this album. "Bullitts Dominae" is a perfect example. Gorgeous melody and ecstatic chorus propel this song into the stratosphere. The lengthy, "The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning" also has some beautifully arranged vocals spread out over its 12 minutes with most of the vocal duties carried out by guitarist John Courtney and bassist Chloe Alper throughout. Both work wonderfully together. Opener "Aeropause" is a spacey instrumental in the best Floyd tradition with lots of typical Gilmour slide guitar. It's a slight pity that a few of the tracks here date from their previous mini-album "Cautionary Tales From The Brave", but as a finished work this album gels nicely as a cohesive whole.

This is a very assured debut from a very promising young band, whether you embrace prog rock or not. This is fresh and exciting rock music and this band should gain the recognition which "The Dark Third" indicates they truly deserve.