PRR are one of the so-called “nu-prog” bands who have attracted the attention of some of the fashionable media. Quite why that same media focuses on completely new bands rather than those who have been ploughing an unfashionable furrow for years in an interesting question. Perhaps it’s because they’re signed to a major label and plugged into the Big Media hype machine. HippyDave has likened them to a prog version of The Darkness, and I suppose he’s got a point. Time will tell if they follow the same career trajectory, coming to earth with a crash after a poorly-received ‘difficult second album’.
I realise that so far I’ve said nothing about the actual music. In fact, it’s rather good. A lot of prog tropes are present and correct; 12 minute multi-part epics, soaring vocal harmonies, and song titles like “Apprentice of the Universe” and “The Bright Ambassadors of Morning”. The album opens with some very Meddle like slide guitar on the instrumental “Aeropause”, and the rest of the album continues to show a strong Pink Floyd influence. The vocal arrangements with twin lead vocalists Chloe Alper and John Courtney are particularly impressive throughout, and the whole thing is immaculately played and produced. The only thing missing is that there are no real solos. Sure, it’s a bit derivative in places, but tell me what isn’t nowadays. Whatever they might achieve in the future, I like this album a lot.
