TRACK LIST:

1.	Roarers 5:39
2.	A Dance So Strange 4:44
3.	Brave New World 1 3:56
4.	Brave New World 2 5:52
5.	Caliban's Dream 6:09
6.	Island Noises 19:55

LINEUP:

Philip Griffiths – vocals 
Stefan Glomb – guitars 
Philipp Jaehne – keyboards 
Dominik Steinbacher – drums 
Dennis Sturm – bass 
With:
Jutta Brandl – voice 
Pia Darmstaedter – flute 
Martin Lengsfeld – piano 
Martin Griffiths – recitation 

Analysis. In the vast universe covered by the genre umbrella progressive rock there's a fair few bands exploring the gentler and more melodic side of it. Acts like Camel is among the better known purveyors of that approach from the golden age of the 70's, and their cues would later be a source of inspiration for many of the so-called neo-prog bands that appeared in the 1980's. Other artists have opted for material of a slightly different nature, taking their cues to a greater extent from radio friendly rock, but with a greater emphasis on compositional sophistication and touches of instrumental virtuosity. Poor Genetic Material is a band that comes closest to the tradition followed by the neo-progressive artists it would seem, but not afraid to include the odd passage sporting a sound and arrangement with more of a mainstream-oriented attitude. Personally I was less than enthralled with the opening tracks on the first of these two CDs. Highly melodic excursions, stellar musicianship all around and in particular the lead vocals are excellent. The songs themselves are the cause of this, slick compositions that don't quite manage to establish a firm identity and, to my ears, unable to form moods of an enthralling or captivating nature – well made, but too anonymous, and slightly lacking in continuity at times. But from Brave New World and onwards this disc picks up quite nicely. The first part of this song is a nice ballad with a neat inclusion of jazz inspired details that really add depth to the song, while the second part is an intriguing construction featuring gentle yet curiously ominous-sounding themes contrasted by parts featuring richer arrangements of a more distinctly symphonic nature. The following ballad-oriented excursion Caliban's Dream is more of a pleasant affair, with a very nice mid-sequence sporting rich dream-laden arrangements and flute solos as the highlight, and then the title track Island Noises appears ending this first disc on a high note. Arguably the most interesting creation at this point, this close to 20 minutes epic is a very well made affair consisting of multiple themes seamlessly assembled, with plucked guitar motifs in different guises and gentle keyboard arrangements as key features, of a kind and nature that should captivate many accustomed to neo-prog in my opinion, in particular those fond of the slightly gentler melodic variety of it that grew popular in Holland in the 90's. Strong vocals on top of strong melodies placed in a composition are more intricate than what it would appear to be on initial inspection. At the roughest and most dramatic “Planets”-era Eloy comes to mind, while the gentler have more of a radio friendly ballad sound to them. Very well put together in this case, as long as you don't expect to encounter material of a highly challenging nature.

CD 2 (51:27)

TRACK LIST:

1.	Banquet of Illusion 5:49
2.	Assassins and Sleepers 5:47
3.	In a State of Grace 6:22
4.	Fountain of Innocence 8:38
5.	Sycorax 4:32
6.	Ariel 2:42
7.	Drowning the Book 9:04
8.	Dreamstuff 8:33

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Related Links:

Progrock Records
Poor Genetic Material

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