aaamusic | On 26, Sep 2010

If Friedrich Nietzsche had a point when he said “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”, Pure Reason Revolution are proof of that with their third album. They are also proof that a band can be influenced by ELO, Smashing Pumpkins, Soulwax, Depeche Mode and The Beach Boys all at once (despite sounding nothing like any of them), yet make sense of a vision that brings those disparate voices together into a sound that combines electronic dance rhythms, pop hooks and sublime vocal harmonies with huge rock riffs.

Having had an introductory single released by Alan McGee on his Poptones label, the band subsequently signed to Sony BMG who released their debut album ‘The Dark Third’ [2006]. Their second longplayer ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’ followed 3 years later; a rockier and more electronic affair than its predecessor, it was typical of their ability to fuse seemingly paradoxical ambitions and tastes.

Over the years PRR have stuck to their guns and built a formidable live reputation, sharing stages with the likes of contemporaries such as Mew, Porcupine Tree, Secret Machines and Editors.

A lengthy headlining tour throughout mainland Europe during 2009 and a multitude of festival appearances was followed by the writing and eventual recording of ‘Hammer And Anvil’, which is released in the UK on 18th October by the Superball Music label.

‘Hammer and Anvil’ is inspired by a myriad of influences, but in particular war. Jon Courtney: “I’ve been researching my ancestry; specifically Great Grandad and his role in WW1. I’m staggered by the sheer enormity, the valour, the dead, the mass destruction.”

The album is co-produced by Jon and Tom Bellamy (Cooper Temple Clause). Jon: “The recording process  was new territory for me; some songs I’d take to Tom fully developed & with a large palette of sounds, others were simple vox/piano sketches that were then built into complete productions. It was a really exciting collaboration.”

PRR will be on tour to support the release of ‘Hammer And Anvil’, with a headlining date at The Scala in London already announced for 9th December.