The Dark Third

Untitled

The Dark Third is the first full-length album by Pure Reason Revolution. It was produced by Paul Northfield (Rush, Porcupine Tree, Gentle Giant, Hole) and recorded at Fairhazel Studio's and later RAK studios. Despite an earlier single "Apprentice of the Universe" peaking at #74 in a national chart Sony BMG believed the album sold badly, and as a result dropped the band. The title refers to the "dark third"; the third of our life we spend asleep and dreaming, with the song on disc 2 "In Aurelia" being based lyrically and thematically around the book Aurelia by Gérard de Nerval.

Track listing

Initial U.K. Release

All tracks written by Jon Courtney unless otherwise specified.

1. "Aeropause" – 5:44
2. "Goshen's Remains" – 5:23
3. "Apprentice of the Universe" – 3:59
4. "The Bright Ambassadors of Morning" – 11:56 (J. Courtney & G. Jong)
5. "The Exact Colour" – 4:03
6. "Voices in Winter / In the Realms of the Divine" – 6:33
7. "Bullitts Dominæ" – 5:20
8. "The Twyncyn / Trembling Willows" – 7:16
9. "He Tried to Show Them Magic! / Ambassadors Return" – 5:17

U.S. Release

A special edition of the album was subsequently released in America, with the following track list:

1. "Aeropause" – 5:04
2. "Goshen's Remains" – 5:45
3. "Apprentice of the Universe" – 4:16
4. "The Bright Ambassadors of Morning" – 11:56
5. "Nimos and Tambos" – 3:44
6. "Voices in Winter / In the Realms of the Divine" – 6:35
7. "Bullitts Dominæ" – 5:22
8. "Arrival / The Intention Craft" – 8:53
9. "He Tried to Show Them Magic! / Ambassadors Return" – 5:17
10. "Asleep Under Eiderdown" – 3:00

The last song appears as a hidden track after about 5 minutes of silence.

Europe Release

In Europe, the German Progressive Rock label InsideOut released the album almost a year after its initial release, on February 16, 2007. The album contained the same tracklisting as the U.S. version, but was packaged with a bonus CD with the following track listing:

1. "In Aurélia" - 3:59
2. "Borgens Vor" - 4:17
3. "The Exact Colour" - 4:05
4. "The Twyncyn / Trembling Willows" - 7:16
5. "Golden Clothes" - 7:31

Credits

• Jon Courtney - Vocals, Guitar, Programming Bass and keyboards
• Chloe Alper - Vocals & Bass
• Andrew Courtney - Drums & Percussion
• James Dobson - Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, Programming & Violin
• Gregory Jong - Vocals, Guitar & Keyboards
• Jamie Willcox - Vocals, Guitar
• Paul Northfield – Production (with Pure Reason Revolution) & Engineering
• Dario Dendi - Assistant Engineer