Pure Reason Revolution: Amor Vincit Omnia is the best album you’ve never heard of 2009

[This is the first in a series of guest reviews by my good friend Puppet Show, who has thankfully given in to my begging and agreed to help me out. I've passed on to him a great record that I knew he'd love and that is definitely one of my favorites of 2009]

Les Malheurs mp3, Pure Reason Revolution from Amor Vincit Omnia

Pure Reason Revolution is a band out of University of Westminster and is comprised of:
• Jon Courtney – vocals, guitars, keyboards
• Chloë Alper – vocals, bass guitars, keyboard
• Jamie Willcox – vocals, guitars
• Paul Glover – drums

Some time ago Tart turned me onto this band, and when I first listened to this album I was not sure how to describe where to put it in terms of genre. They meld together a bit of Electronica, Progressive Rock, and Indie. If I were to ask 12 people I’m sure I would get 10 new genres to put it in, a move which I find to be smart because of the capacity to open up your fan base. This may not work for all bands but for some reason it works for PRR. The vocal ability of Chloe Alpers balances Jon Courtney and in conjunction with the instrumental ability of Jamie Wicox and Paul Glover, it all works in such a manner that the harmonies are almost orchestral in nature.

The opening track “Les Malheurs” lets you know what you’re in for with the next 46 minutes. With melodies that rival most birds and choirs, PRR has somehow spliced together a harmonious union between voice and instrument that is extremely pleasant to listen to. Moving on through the album, the track “Disconnect” gives a very electronic, chill sound which was all too soon countered with the track, “Deus Ex Machina.” This song can take you from a dance floor to a mosh pit in a matter of moments. I did find at times that the lyrics can be a bit simplistic, but it was always accompanied with a great melody and phrasing that allowed the song to come together in a manner that made you forget anything you didn’t like.

In my many years being involved in music, from time to time I will be struck with phrasing or tones that will dredge up another song that I have heard before. Though I’m sure most people will curse at me for saying this, “Victorious Cupid” struck me with a feeling, in the rhythm, voice, music and words that I had heard it all somewhere before. I was amazed after racking my brain, that the phrasing turned out to be similar to Jesus Christ Superstar’s “The Temple.” I have always been a fan of Jesus Christ Superstar and remember watching it with my father as a kid, and after hearing that rhythm it brought back so many memories. For me, at this moment, I think both “Victorious Cupid” and “The Temple” are equally brilliant songs.

AVO (Amor Vincit Omnia or love conquers all) is the absolute highlight of the album. It is a song I consider the beginning, ending, and encore, not that I think this song overshadows the album, but it is the cornerstone that keeps it in place. The music coupled with lyrics like – “Did you feel loved? You’re dead like one of us, It kills real love, Like one of us” is one of the most brilliant lines I have heard in some time. Building itself from a small particle in space to its own galaxy in a manner of 4 minutes 47 seconds, AVO is amazing. The best way I could conceive of describing this song is as layers of a cake: the piano begins, sounding as raindrops – the base layer. Moving up through the cake you make the Pinbot layer where the midi sounds like an 80’s pinball legend. As we work higher I am reminded of Close Encounters of the Third Kind as the next synth begins to play, I begin to want to shape my mashed potatoes into a mountain somewhere in Colorado. The final instrumental level is Philharmonic strike, as it is drizzled with vocals of cotton balls and razorblades, and ending in a riot that disperses in a orderly fashion, an amazing feet to say the least.

This album has actually made my heavy rotation list. I am amazed, awed, and looking forward to Pure Reason Revolution and recommend it for anyone looking for a breath of fresh air in their collection of music.

[Tart says: There's an interesting interview with Jon Courtney over at Avant-garde Metal]