What truly is progressive music? Each month BraveWords will aim to dissect that answer with a thorough overview of the current musical climate that is the prog world. Old and new, borrowed and blue. A musical community without borders. So watch for a steady and spaced-out array of features, current news and a buyer's guide checklist to enhance the forward-thinking musical mind. So, welcome to BraveWords' monthly column appropriately titled, Between A Rock In A Prog Place. 

In this month's column, Pure Reason Revolution singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jon Courtney discusses his band's latest album, Coming Up To Consciousness, the meaning behind the album cover image, and the current state of prog rock.

How does Coming Up To Consciousness compare to previous Pure Reason Revolution albums?

Lower-key, melancholic but hopeful, more stripped back, less of the 'same/usual PRR tricks,' new chordal and textual explorations. Less of 'the world is gonna end in this climax of mayhem and rock,' and more the world might end tomorrow, but at least I was present today and I breathed in the now.'

Is there a specific story behind the album cover art?

My dog being put down had a massive impact on the lyrical themes. Around the time of the complex emotions entangled with having something dear to you put to sleep, I saw this painting by Jill and it immediately resonated with the material.

Favorite tracks and why?

My favorite track is probably, "As We Disappear." Originally called "Rosengarten," where my dog’s ashes were scattered in Berlin. This track reflects on resentments and moving into a phase of forgiveness. Turning what were torturous periods in life – though time and healing – seeing the experience as a positive, growth and hope for the future. We’ll all be ashes one day and 'fade into the earth,' so enjoy the time we have, do what you love, be present, patient, loving, kind, eat an ice cream, appreciate a rainbow, pretend to be a unicorn and be good to yourself. "Dig Till You Die" – the bass from Guy Pratt is simply amazing, love it!

Please discuss the video for “Dig Till You Die.”

Created by Thomas Hicks whom we’ve worked with a lot. I sent him the lyrics and a few aspects of the lyrical themes. Really I just trust him to do something cool and he always delivers! The marbles collide, just like we do with people in life but we have the power of choice over how we react. It’s about dreading confrontations, working too hard and re-evaluating priorities. 

Future plans for the band?

We have some European festivals coming up along with some shows. We’re also doing a UK run of shows this year. In 2025 we’re playing Cruise to the Edge, which we’re really excited about. 2026 will be the 20thAnniversary of the Dark Third, and we’ll be playing this in full. Further plans are to keep recording, avoid repeating ourselves (progressing musically!) and to seep out to a wider audience.

Who are some of your favorite modern and also, classic prog bands (and why)?

I love The Smile, can I call that 'alt-prog'? I love Pineapple Thief, great songwriters, Bruce is a killer producer & they’re lovely. Talk Talk is getting a lot of turntable time. Spirit of Eden is a fab summer album…in fact, I’m sitting by a lake in Berlin, drinking an espresso and listening right now. I also have to say Pink Floyd. I know Guy Pratt and so I’ve been to Saucerful of Secrets a few times. When they play "Echoes" it’s pure bliss and takes me on a journey to another planet. 

Is prog alive and well in 2024?

I saw an advert the other day in Berlin: 'How pop music is becoming simpler.' So, I think there is definitely space for progressive rock, a genre that prides itself on not being simple, rather more complex both lyrically and musically. Prog is thriving and a much needed niche. My brave words are that one day there'll be a revolt from the simple and prog will go mainstream! 

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A PROG PLACE NEWS BLAST

Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess returns this month with his latest solo album, Permission to Fly, for which a video for the track “Shadow Of The Moon” can be viewed below. You want some live Big Big Train? You got it! The band will be issuing A Flare on the Lens this month, which will be available as a 3CD+Blu-ray media book and a  gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl version, which can be ordered here.

UK prog rockers Frost* return with a double conceptual album on October 18th, Life In The Wires, which can be already be pre-ordered. Veteran symphonic metallists Nightwish will be issuing their 10th studio effort overall this month, Yesterwynde, which has spawned an artsy music video for the track 'The Day of…".

Former Yes singer Jon Anderson is back with a new album with the Band Geeks, entitled True, and a video, “Counties And Countries,” from the album can be inspected below. Dutch symphonic metallists Epica will be performing a livestream event of one of their The Symphonic Synergy shows on September 20th – ticket info and merch are available here.

Modern proggers Dillemma return in September with their third album, The Purpose Paradox, available as a CD, double LP, and via all streaming platforms. Sweden's Paralydium returned recently with a new studio effort, Universe Calls, for which a visualizer for the tune “Caught In A Dream” can be visualized.

SEPTEMBER 2024 NEW ALBUMS

September 6:
David Gilmour: Luck and Strange
King Crimson: Sheltering Skies: Live in Frejus, August 27th 1982
Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up to Consciousness 
Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly 

September 13:
Big Big Train: A Flare on the Lens 
Frank Zappa: Apostrophe (50th anniversary super deluxe edition)

September 20:
Curved Air, The Rarities Series (6CD box)
Dilemma: The Purpose Paradox
Nightwish: Yesterwynde 
Rainbow: Live In Munich 1977 (2CD/DVD)

September 27:
Genesis: A Trick of the Tail; And Then There Were Three; Invisible Touch (remastered vinyl reissues)
Steve Howe: Guitarscape

CLASSIC CLIP

Remember that strange period in the '80s when prog veterans of the '70s had disguised themselves as pop-rock bands, and conquered the charts and MTV airwaves? The most obvious examples would be Peter Gabriel (“Sledgehammer”), Yes (“Owner Of A Lonely Heart”), and Asia (“Heat Of The Moment”). But what about the seemingly forgotten “Touch And Go” by the short-lived Emerson, Lake & Powell? Enjoy/rediscover below!