If you thought the idea of a 'Nu-Shoegazing' movement was reason for furrowed brows, then how about the concept of 'Nu-Prog'? Yeah, it's a ghastly thought, I agree, and enough to send round the taste police to anyone in possession of a double-necked guitar who isn't Julian Cope.
And, make no mistake, the accusations of Prog-Rock (very much with a capital P) stick where London quintet PURE REASON REVOLUTION are concerned. Hell: new single "The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning" comes flaunting a flowerier-than-thou title, clocks in at 12 MINUTES (yes, TWELVE) and it's approximately five minutes before the 'song' as such thinks about kicking in, after all manner of spacy Moog oscillations, backwards masking and heavily-gated drum sounds have run free to their hearts' content.
So no, it's not standard pop fare, and a strategic radio edit will be a bugger of a task, but against overwhelming odds, somehow "The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning" DOESN'T suck vast amounts of shit. In fact, once its' expansive momentum gets going - recalling recent touring partners Oceansize en route and roping in some delicious, Beach Boys-style harmonies for good measure - it's quite a beguiling affair and a rather impressive way of drawing you into their constellation-straddling orbit.
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So it's clear Pure Reason Revolution aren't a band to do things by halves. "The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning" rolls pretentiousness, ambition and intrigue into a gargantuan ball and places it right in your path. It's cool enough to give them the benefit of the doubt for now, but - heavens - if this is the beginning of an Emerson, Lake and Palmer revival then I'm bailing out rapidly.
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