Artist: Pure Reason Revolution
Album: The Dark Third
Label: One Haven/Red Ink
Tracks: 9
Length: 64:50
Review By: Jacob Gehman

Prog rock is kind of like asking a girl out on a date. It is terrifying, it’ll make you lose your mind, and you probably have to have a stiff drink to be able to do it. Most people stick their toes into the prog rock world with Pink Floyd. Most people, then, stop right there. Which is exactly where I stopped. Because although I could enjoy “Dark Side Of the Moon” on the rare occasion, the fact that the album is more enjoyable when watched at the same time as a popular kids movie says something.

Ok, so most people will disagree with me there and I’m fine with that. I’ll even admit that I’m dead wrong. But the above paragraph does a good job of illustrating my general inexperience with prog rock as a genre. What it does not do is explain my enjoyment of “The Dark Third.”

It all boils down to the vocals. Specifically those performed by Chloe Alper. Her voice is crisp and clear and soars far above and beyond the boundaries of any musical genre. Her soprano rings like a bell and stays pure throughout. As a compliment to her several of the guys harmonize with her which only makes her better. The harmonies blend marvelously to become an extra special experience.

On the down side, Chloe is not always the lead vocalist. This is when my interest in the songs take a serious nose dive as the males are best in the supporting vocal role. They lack the charisma needed to carry a song on their own. But even when the album is dragged down by misjudging the singing situation, the music is able to carry it until Chloe picks up the torch again.

All in all, despite my personal inability to either ask a girl out or listen to much prog, this album is an enjoyable listen that bucks at least one of those trends.