A DAY IN JUNE

A group that up till now has only been known to me via prog outlets touting their vocalist's pedigree, POOR GENETIC MATERIAL has released a consummate vocal oriented album based on the classic JAMES JOYCE novel ULYSSES. One of the main themes of this literary work is father-son relations and, appropriately enough, this PGM disk culls one of the most gifted such tandems on the prog scene, MARTIN (BEGGARS' OPERA) and PHIL GRIFFITHS (PGM and ALIAS EYE). They even sing together on several tracks. It is a testament to this sparkling effort that they do not steal the show, and that their voices blend into one even when going it alone.

My understanding of PGM is that they are a German band more influenced by the British giants than by the amply represented masters from their own country, but if you are a fan of continental prog you will not be disappointed. "Nausicaa" is reminiscent of both ELOY and the Swiss CLEPSYDRA, notably and arguably best album "Alone". If you love that "big" sound but don't want it quite as cluttered as the Brits prefer, then this is a treasure trove. The opener "Martello Morning" is pure classic symph though, and "Wisdom and Menace" is simultaneously catchy and profound. The penultimate cut "Ithaca" is another melodic jewel. The band is composed of gifted musicians with Stefan Glomb's guitars and Pia Darmstaedter's flutes worth highlighting, although in "Ithaca" Philipp Jaehne's are spellbinding .

I normally like to let new releases percolate for a longer period of time before reviewing them, as I find it hard to reward 5 star status to anything before its time, but since that day in June when this seemingly streamed through sunlit windows I have been smitten. 4.5 stars, rounded down until further notice.