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Pure Reason Revolution - Valour

Pure Reason Revolution - Valour
EP Reviews

This curious EP does a fine job of drawing a line under a very strange but equally vital band.



Released: 5th December 2011
Reviewer: Alex Lynham
The fact that this EP has but one new track should surely bar it from high marks. On the merits of the material alone though, sui generis, it'd be a disservice to a fantastic band to do anything but lavish them with the praise they deserve – especially when 'Valour' is a charity release to mark their passing.

At the heart of 'Valour' is the same dichotomy that crippled their career. After being embraced by the progressive mainstream following their post-progressive masterpiece 'The Dark Third', they then alienated a significant portion of their fanbase with two increasingly abstract electronic albums. Nevertheless, 'Amor Vincit Omnia', from which Valour takes 'Black Mourning' was a fantastic electronic rock concept album, and 'Hammer & Anvil' was not only an underrated masterpiece, but the best post-Cooper Temple Clause project undertaken by any of CTC's bandmembers.

Consequently it's fitting that despite being released to coincide with a tour where 'The Dark Third' is played in its entirety, 'Valour' is heavily weighted towards 'Hammer & Anvil'; the sole first-album track, 'The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning' is watered down to four minutes and outclassed by 'Tempest', the final track of their career. Ending on an a capella rendition of 'Gaudete', this curious EP does a fine job of drawing a line under a very strange but equally vital band. Rating: 8/10
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