Album Review: Pure Reason Revolution - Eupnea
Reviewed by Robbie Maguire
Music can offer an immensely rewarding experience for the listener when it is created with originality and a sense of daring. It can and should take the listener to places that transcend merely the sonic experience and enjoyment from listening to music. Progressive rock when done well is a style that can do all this and deliver an emotional punch in the process. 'Eupnea', the first album in ten years from recently reformed Pure Reason Revolution is an album that is more than merely a collection of songs, rather a journey and an emotional one at that. It is so multi layered yet not overcrowded and sees the band effortlessly mix heavy angular riffs, delicate keys and ambient synths to create a collection of songs that have you wanting and indeed needing to listen repeatedly. The main factor in this ability to grab attention and have you totally immersed is the vocal interplay between Chloe Alper and Jon Courtney. Clearly a chemistry between the two exists or at least it seems to as their glorious vocal harmonies carry emotion and energy. At times strikingly delicate in their delivery and others soaring powerfully enriching and elevating the emotional pull even higher.
The vocals whilst being a clear standout do not overshadow the music. Space and time is afforded allowing the expansive nature of the songs to fully evolve. The powerful driving rock pushes the heavy sections forward such as in the opener 'New Obssesion'. There is a vibrancy beating away at the heart of this song which will appease those wanting an immediate slab of pulsating emotional rock. Pure Reason Revolution are as comfortable delivering the dynamic rock as they are at creating wonderful depth with the more introspective sections. In 'Maelstrom' they deliver a surefire catchy pop infused rock song. Its unlikely you'll hear a more infectious chorus all year. It's beautifully uplifting and the melody simply will not leave you alone.
The journeys culmination is the majestic title track, 'Eupnea' clocking in at just over thirteen minutes it is a truly epic way to conclude an album. It encompasses everything that makes for original, interesting and enjoyable progressive rock. You know at the start it's a song that will go of in many directions and it does, yet not being overtly progressive or too clever for its own good. Delicate keys give way to a huge hypnotic riff with the soaring lead work being complimented by inspiring synth and strings. The vocals dance all over the track with Jon and Chloe taking turns to add their voice and then duetting beautifully at unexpected moments. And then its gone. The journey is over. The warmth and hypnotic allure of the song ensure you will revisit it, on repeated times, where no doubt you will gain something different from each rewarding listen.
In 'Eupnea', Pure Reason Revolution have created a wonderfully uplifting record. Rich in texture and wonderfully atmospheric it encompasses all the aspects that make not only for a great modern day progressive rock record but also a stunning record in its own right.
