Progressive alternative rockers Pure Reason Revolution return with their sixth studio album ‘Coming Up To Consciousness’, released on September 6th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. Betrayal, deception, fear, grief, mortality, and questions of sanity: heady and primordial themes animate the latest conceptual LP from Pure Reason Revolution.
Today sees the release of the second single from the album, and you can watch the video for ‘Useless Animal’ here:
Jon Courtney comments of the track: “Very pleased to launch our next single, showing another side of ‘Coming up to Consciousness’. The song’s about how we don’t realise something’s worth until it’s gone.
Taking my dog to be put down & the emotional fallout, the unexpected impact. Grief is the price we pay for love. Written as a result of purposefully trying to avoid my usual repertoire of chords. This was the first track Guy Pratt played bass on, he did a wonderful job & his input spurred on further creativity.”
‘Coming Up To Consciousness’ is the third of its post-hiatus renaissance records that began with 2020’s ‘Eupnea’ and continued in 2022’s ‘Above Cirrus’. Like those two predecessors, the new record is intensely personal. Its eight tracks are all between four and seven minutes long – concise by PRR standards – and they grapple with darkness of various kinds.
Courtney, who lives in Berlin, shared writing duties on several tracks with US-based Greg Jong. The pair formed Pure Reason Revolution together in the early 00s at the University of Westminster, creating breakout hit ‘The Bright Ambassadors of Morning’ as their third year project. They reconnected during the creation of ‘Eupnea’ and have continued the partnership since then both in the studio and on stage. Legendary session musician Guy Pratt, who has worked with Pink Floyd among myriad iconic acts, provided bass guitar on seven of the eight tracks, resulting in more ambitious bass lines than any of Pure Reason Revolution’s previous records. Meanwhile, Ravi Kesavaram, of My Vitriol fame, returns to the drums on this record after touring with the band in 2022.
Another newcomer on this record is vocalist Annicke Shireen, known for her work with Shireen and Heilung, as well as her solo project. Shireen stepped in after original PRR member and fan favourite Chloe Alper was unavailable for recent live shows. With Alper’s schedule remaining packed for the foreseeable future, she has been unable to rejoin the lineup. She and Courtney agreed it made more sense for Shireen to sing on the record if she was going to continue appearing in shows. Both Courtney and Jong have nothing but enthusiasm for working with her:
“They’re impossible shoes to fill in a lot of ways,” Greg Jong says. “But we were just blown away with how good she is. We were really excited by the fact that vocally she does have a similar tone to Chloe, and yet she definitely holds her own.”
The band was equally thrilled to work with multiple members of prog icon The Pineapple Thief; the record was mixed by Bruce Soord, mastered by Steve Kitch, and sees Jon Sykes playing bass on one track. ‘Coming Up To Consciousness’ is also the third PRR album to feature cover art by Jill Tegan Doherty, who Courtney originally met in Berlin on a German language course.
The album will be available as a Limited CD+DVD Digipak (featuring 5.1 Surround Sound & High Resolution Stereo Mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, as well as a Gatefold ReVinyl LP (Recycled Vinyl), and digitally in both stereo and Dolby Atmos.
The band have also confirmed their first tour dates in support of the album, playing in Europe alongside Lesoir in September & October, starting at Be Prog! My Friend Festival in Barcelona.
27th September – Be Prog! My Friend, Barcelona, Spain*
29th September – Stummsche Reithalle, Neunkirchen, Germany
30th September – Backstage By The Mill, Paris, France
1st October – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
3rd October – Cpunt, Hoofddorp, Netherlands
4th October – Progpower Europe, Baarlo, Netherlands*
5th October – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
*No Lesoir
The band will also make their first appearance on Cruise To The Edge in 2025, alongside Steve Hackett, Riverside, Haken, Big Big Train, Robert Fripp & many more.
Renaissance, the legendary symphonic rock band featuring Annie Haslam, will be back in the US playing select dates from October 17th through October 31st. This will mark 54 years since the formation of the band and its 16th consecutive year of touring since its reactivation in 2009.
Renaissance leader and vocalist Annie Haslam remarked that “We are very proud but sad to announce our ‘In Gratitude’ Farewell Tour. Where did the time go? Looking back over the years, I believe we have made history in the worlds of Progressive and Symphonic Rock.”
The upcoming shows will include stunning arrangements of “Ocean Gypsy,” “Northern Lights,” “Forever Changing,” “Mother Russia,” “Carpet of the Sun,” “Ashes are Burning” and other favorite classics. Ms. Haslam will be joined on stage by long-time musical associate Rave Tesar on piano, along with Mark Lambert on guitars/vocals, Geoffrey Langley on keyboards/vocals, Frank Pagano on drums, percussion/vocals, and John Galgano on bass.
Annie Haslam noted that “Performing with Renaissance since 1971 has been my whole life. I still love singing these unique, surreal, dramatic and romantic songs and pairing up with some of the finest orchestras in the world. All of this was born from the music of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Terry Sullivan and Jon Camp combined with the emotional and poetic words of Betty Thatcher. Our music has filled the hearts and minds of many thousands of fans around the world. It started for me, with a dream from my childhood that ended in this miracle called Renaissance! Rave Tesar, is an extraordinary man and musician I have worked with in my solo band since 1989 and with Renaissance since 2009. He has also been a very big help in keeping the band ‘alive’! Some very talented musicians have stepped into our band, and their devotion and hard work have added to the band’s touring longevity and personality.”
Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band’s career has spanned fifty plus years spearheaded by the 5-octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.
The band has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.
Legendary Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess recently announced that his brand new solo album, ‘Permission To Fly’, will be released on the September 6th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. No stranger to experimentation, Rudess is known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries. His latest endeavor, epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
Today, in conjunction with Lightricks, Jordan is pleased to launch the music video for ‘Shadow of the Moon’. Lightricks hosted a competition, inviting creators to submit unique music video concepts for Jordan’s song. The winning filmmaker, Manny Walker, was whisked away to a state-of-the-art set in Serbia, where he was given the opportunity to co-direct the video alongside the Lightricks team, bringing his vision to life.
Watch the video now here:
Legendary Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess recently announced that his brand new solo album, ‘Permission To Fly’, will be released on the September 6th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. No stranger to experimentation, Rudess is known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries. His latest endeavor, epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
Today, in conjunction with Lightricks, Jordan is pleased to launch the music video for ‘Shadow of the Moon’. Lightricks hosted a competition, inviting creators to submit unique music video concepts for Jordan’s song. The winning filmmaker, Manny Walker, was whisked away to a state-of-the-art set in Serbia, where he was given the opportunity to co-direct the video alongside the Lightricks team, bringing his vision to life.
Watch the video now here:
Jordan comments: “Creating the ‘Shadow of the Moon’ video with Lightricks was an incredible experience. Working with such a talented team and the contest winner, and using Lightricks’ new cutting-edge LTX studio software, brought my vision to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. This collaboration truly showcases how powerful it is to combine music with innovative visual storytelling.”
*** While some previous releases were true solo pursuits, this time, Rudess assembled a core group of musicians to support and elevate his vision. The album features Jordan alongside That Joe Payne on vocals, Darby Todd (Devin Townsend) on drums & Steve Dadaian on guitar, as well as guest guitar solos from Bastian Martinez.
With the music in capable hands, Rudess wanted to make sure to give the lyrics their proper attention. For that, he turned to a source close to home, his daughter.
“All the lyrics on the album were written by my daughter, Ariana. While I enjoy writing lyrics myself, my primary focus tends to be on the sonic quality of the words. For this album, I wanted to delve deeper and offer something that resonated on a more profound and cerebral level. Ari did an exceptional job.”
‘Permission To Fly’ will be available as Limited CD Digipak & Gatefold 180g 2LP (both incl. bonus material), as well as digitally. Pre-order now here: https://jordanrudess.lnk.to/PermissionToFly
Jordan recently made his live debut with Darby Todd & That Joe Payne, with two rapturously received sets on the 2024 edition of Cruise To The Edge, also marking the live premiere of the new single ‘Embers’.
More information on Jordan Rudess:
Renowned as the “Best Keyboardist of All Time” by Music Radar Magazine, Jordan Rudess stands out as the extraordinary keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band, Dream Theater. Embarking on his musical journey as a classical prodigy, Jordan initiated his studies at the illustrious Juilliard School of Music at the age of 9, laying the foundation for a career marked by a distinctive fusion of classical and rock influences.
Beyond his role in Dream Theater and the power group, Liquid Tension Experiment, Jordan’s musical prowess has resonated across a diverse spectrum of collaborations. From Deep Purple and David Bowie to Steven Wilson and Jan Hammer, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable projects such as LMR (his side venture with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman), Steven Wilson’s Blackfield, guest appearances with Deep Purple and the Dixie Dregs and collaborations with artists like Enrique Iglesias, the Paul Winter Consort, Annie Haslam, and many others, underscore the breadth of his musical reach.
Venturing into the realm of cutting-edge technology, Jordan has emerged as a pioneer with a focus on state-of-the-art keyboard controllers and music apps. As the owner of the highly successful iOS app development company, Wizdom Music, he has spearheaded the creation of award-winning apps, including GeoShred, MorphWiz, SampleWiz, Vythm, Polywave, Jam with Jordan and SampleWiz 2. GeoShred, Wizdom Music’s latest triumph, was a collaborative effort with moForte, founding members of Stanford University’s Sondius team. Rudess is currently working on an AI interactive project as Visiting Artist at MIT’s Media Lab in the Responsive Environments group.
In preparation for the release of his highly anticipated new collection 8314 Boxed, celebrated solo artist and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has shared an exclusive unboxing video. Now available for viewing, the video offers fans a glimpse into the beautifully presented and meticulously curated 10LP box set that will officially be released on August 23rd through reissue specialist label Madfish.
A comprehensive anthology that spans Anderson’s illustrious solo career, 8314 Boxed features multiple first-time vinyl releases of classic Ian Anderson solo albums and showcases the depth and diversity of Anderson’s musical journey beyond his tenure with Jethro Tull.
• Includes exclusive first-time vinyl releases of Divinities: Twelve Dances with God, The Secret Language of Birds (2LP), and Rupi’s Dance (2LP) • Walk Into Light, Divinities: Twelve Dances with God and Homo Erraticus remastered at half speed by Air Studio • Roaming in the Gloaming LP offers previously unreleased live recordings from 1995-2007 • Beautiful side D etchings on 3 of the 10 records • 96-page book with foreword by Ian Anderson, extensive liner notes by Paul Sexton and exclusive pictures
“Hey, but someone has to try oddball things, don’t they? Might as well be me…” – Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson’s solo albums explore different sonic landscapes and instrumental line-ups, each record in this boxset standing as a testament to his versatility. From the electronic experimentation in Walk Into Light and the profound narratives of Homo Erraticus, to the acoustic serenity of The Secret Language of Birds, these albums are a reflection of Anderson’s unending creativity and his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical styles into cohesive, captivating works.
A word from Ian Anderson on 8314 Boxed: “Since 1983, I have made a few solo albums, not as dissatisfaction with fellow musicians or the group identity but usually just to try something a bit different, whether sonically, stylistically or in terms of instrumental line-up. These records all stand out for me as being quite different from each other and in some ways demonstrate a broader depth of my songwriting. The flute instrumental Divinities record is one of my favourites to this day.”
“Hey, but someone has to try oddball things, don’t they? Might as well be me…” – Ian Anderson
Houston, TX – Leon Alvarado’s critically acclaimed album, The Changing Tide, will receive a highly anticipated vinyl release on August 12th. This celebrated album, inspired by the legendary sounds of Pink Floyd, features collaborations with notable artists including John Helliwell (Supertramp), Tony Franklin (The Firm), Edoardo Scordo, and Damian Darlington (both of Brit Floyd fame).
Originally released on CD and digital platforms, the vinyl edition of The Changing Tide introduces a new dimension to the album, offering fans a unique listening experience. The vinyl can be purchased individually or as part of an exclusive “Immersion Set.” The set includes the album on CD, the Brain Damage/Dance Of The Pink Elephants CD single, unlimited streaming through Bandcamp, and a high-quality digital download in mp3 or FLAC formats.
Critical acclaim for The Changing Tide has been widespread:
Dmitry Epstein of Let It Rock describes it as “a fantastic opus in all aspects.”
Prog Critique praises the album for its “familiar and well-marked universe with compositions that are worth the detour.”
Tszirmay of Prog Archives highlights Alvarado’s successful blend of deep-rooted musical influences and personal originality, making it a “most worthy acquisition.”
Martin Burns of DPRP.net commends the album’s “superb production,” noting that the opening and title tracks are exceptional with meticulous arrangement and attention to detail.
Horst Straske of Babyblaue-Seiten admires the album’s cinematic and ambient sound, particularly appreciating how “Alvarado enriches his soundscapes with progressive rock elements like the ten-minute opener, The Equilibrium of Time.”
Antonie Deelen of iO Pages magazine specifically praises the “particularly good” guitar work in A View From A Different Room and the “beautiful saxophone playing” by John Helliwell.
1. THE EQUILIBRIUM OF TIME 2. BRAIN DAMAGE 3. THE CHANGING TIDE
SIDE B:
4. A DAY OF A DIFFERENT SORT 5. A VIEW FROM A DIFFERENT ROOM 6. DANCE OF THE PINK ELEPHANT
Credits:
Leon Alvarado: Drums, Keyboards & Effects on all, Bass on 5, Vocals on 6 Edoardo Scordo: Guitars on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Tony Franklin: Bass on 1, 2, 3, 4 John Helliwell: Saxophone on 3 Pablo Hopenhayn: Violin, Viola and Cello on 1 Gary Gnaedinger: Bass, Guitar & Keyboards on 6 James Griggers: Guitar & Slide Guitar on 6 Jeff Sanson: Backing Vocals on 6 Linda Alvarado: Backing Vocals on 6 Liz Hall: Backing Vocals on 6
Brain Damage lyrics by Roger Waters Produced and Mixed by: Leon Alvarado Mastered by: Maor Appelbaum Cover art by: Synergy Design
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