Pure Reason Revolution - 'Cautionary Tales For The Brave' (SonyBMG) Released 03/10/05

After forming at Westminster University through a shared adoration of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys and Super Furry Animals, Pure Reason Revolution punched into our conciousness with their debut single, ‘Apprentice Of The Universe’ back in 2004 on Poptones label. 

The quartet have since signed to Song BMG and look set to take over many a stereo with their psychedelic, mesmeric blend of Floyd/Zepp rock.  Packaged in groovy shades of black, orange and yellow, you just know that this band have hankerings for the 'Dark Side Of The Moon', and have been reported by some jammy journo as having said that they intend to write the follow up to that very album!  Listening to their mini album, ‘Cautionary Tales For The Brave’, we at the ‘Wise are fairly certain this aint no match, but it is none the less, spine tinglingly satisfying.  The suppressed-just-below-the-surface drive of ‘In Aurelia’, sets an underground, dirty feel to the CD from the word go, and to say ‘processedbeatscoughKasabian’ would not be entirely false. 

Lusciously slow and dreamy, ‘The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning’ is an obvious throw back to the ‘Floyd, but no one here minds as it’s so damn good!  If a song could twinkle, then this would shine. ‘Arrival’ is as fluid and refined as honey from a particularly diligent bee, with a darkly wicked twist of sleazy energy when you’re just about to blissfully nod off…

The layered chant-esque vocals of ‘The Intention Craft’ exemplify the experimental, slightly gothic side that is in danger of weighing the band down too much if they don’t learn to tone it down a bit…but we also love it at the same time…confused?!

This is a mini album that probably will confuse you and catch you between assumptions of pretension, and perfection.  Pure Reason Revolution are striving to be as complex as their influences, but in fairness, they are achieving it quite well.  Go on…have a listen!