Pure Reason Revolution - Live At Scala (DVD Review)
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Written by Jonny Rimmer
Pure Reason Revolution (or PRR for the twitter generation) are one of the most innovative bands to have come out of the United Kingdom in recent years. In a rough climate where bands often have to conform to label pressures or perish, PRR can claim to have carved themselves a truly unique place in independent music.
Despite arguably being a treat for fans of the band, 'Live at Scala' is ironically a good starting point for newer listeners to the band. Make no bones about it though; this is a DVD release for music fans, and there is no frenzied rush ‘silly’ special features accompanying the live show to bite your teeth into.
If you’ve never heard of the band, the setup of eight pulsing 4-5 minute tunes followed by an encore of three atmospheric 7-11 minute songs may seem puzzling. With that said, a quick synopsis of the quartet seems appropriate.
Their first record, 'The Dark Third', channelled Pink Floyd and The Beach Boys in equal measure to produce a concept-driven masterpiece rich in overlapping harmonies, heavy riffs and lush keyboards and violins. However, the first eight songs on this DVD are made up from the two electronic-fused albums that followed.
Still, these eight songs are impeccable, and easily the highlights of the aforementioned records. It’s easy to see why the catchy ‘Black Mourning’ and ‘Deus Ex Machina’ earn such a reception from the 600 in attendance, and the industrial opener ‘Blitzkrieg’ is nothing less than exhilarating.
Whilst the main section of the performance would please fans of Pendulum or Justice, older fans of the band will also appreciate the long winded ‘The Bright Ambassadors of Morning’. Given the huge contrast in sound from the first part of the set, perhaps the beguiling hooks of ‘Apprentice of the Universe’ would have been better suited to represent this era of the band.
Nevertheless, it does mean that every dimension of the experimental troupe is well covered on this intimate but impressive DVD. Given the wealth of talent they possess, surely a thrilling record combining this amalgamation of influences cannot be too far away.
DVD Rating: 8/10
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Their first record, 'The Dark Third', channelled Pink Floyd and The Beach Boys in equal measure to produce a concept-driven masterpiece rich in overlapping harmonies, heavy riffs and lush keyboards and violins. However, the first eight songs on this DVD are made up from the two electronic-fused albums that followed. 
