LEAP INTO FALL

POOR GENETIC MATERIAL is the second band next to ALIAS EYE with Philipp Griffith, the son of Martin Griffith (BEGGARS OPERA) on lead vocals. But the type of music they're presenting hasn't anything to do with both mentioned bands. It's rather a highly symphonic modern Art Rock with spheric guitar lines and composition/song writing on a very high level.

The album opens with Rush of Ages, a long track with over 16 minutes of timing. As with ALIAS EYE of course Griffith's excellent voice (which reminds in fact very much to his father's one) is the most striking feature but as well the playing of his four band fellows can hold this standard. The music might be more suitable for fans of NeoProg from the more mellow end of the spectre, but I've to say that PGM sound better and not as cheesy as most bands from this sub-genre and they fit quite well into the symphonic Prog category. Moreover there is no obvious direct ressemblance to any of the classic bands. The opener is a very beautiful track, especially the last part I like very much, although it could have some more variation for its length. Thin Red Line has a bit too long intro but develops towards a nice ballad-esque symphonic rock song. What is very pleasant is that keyboards never sound synthetic at any moment. Star of Eden is a more rocking one, but this one is revealing the only weak point of the band, that is the rhythm section which could be more powerful. Especially drums by second ALIAS EYE-member Ludwig Benedek sound a bit too much "artificial". The title track is a quite catchy, almost radio-friendly song, for sure not the best one of the album, but as well not really bad. In Antares they're introducing an accordeon and this song might remind a bit to BEGGARS OPERA not only due to the similar vocals. The album finishes with the short ballad Fall played on piano.

CONCLUSION

LEAP INTO FALL is a VERY GOOD album, lovers of more mellow symphonic prog might find it even excellent. Best tracks are Rush of Ages, Thin Red Line and Antares. Fans of ALIAS EYE should not expect some similarity apart of the vocals, the music here is less powerful, but still rocking in a beautiful symphonic vein. For my rating I'm toddling a bit between 3 and 4 stars. Since it's as well not my favorite symphonic prog style I decided to give it 3 stars.

POOR GENETIC MATERIAL are a German band who are listed under Prog-Related, so yes there's not a lot meat to chew on here.This is mostly vocal-led, pleasant music. Philip Griffiths the vocalist also sings for ALIAS EYE.

"Rush Of Ages" has a spacey intro as the ages unfold before our eyes. Or was I just halucinating there ? The music kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes then the vocals arrive a minute after that. I like the laid back instrumental section after 4 1/2 minutes.Vocals return then the tempo picks up before 6 minutes. It will shift often but slightly the rest of the way.The focus is on the vocals here. It's spacey again after 13 1/2 minutes then vocals come in late to end it. "Thin Red Line" opens with nature sounds then the atmosphere rolls in around a minute. Music and vocals take over suddenly after 1 1/2 minutes.The guitar replaces the vocals briefly before 5 minutes.

"Star Of Eden" is mellow as reserved vocals join in. It does get fuller and picks up.The mood and tempo continue to shift. The vocals are the focus again on "Leap Into Fall". Bass takes the spotlight after 3 minutes then the guitar joins in. Good section.Vocals are back late. "Antares" opens with spacey organ then it kicks in around a minute with vocals. We get mellow instrumental music after 5 minutes.Vocals return before 7 1/2 minutes as it picks back up. "Fall" is a short pastoral closing track with reserved vocals and piano standing out.

Not much appeal here for Prog fans in my opinion, even just rating the music apart from that leaves this wanting.

If you trust somebody enough and they tell you that a hare is actually a boar, will you bother doing the research to disprove their theory? Will you even notice that this hare is more beautiful than any you have seen before or since? How could you when you are told it's not worth a second look? That hare is POOR GENETIC MATERIAL, an Anglo German lyrical and vocal oriented prog band which has incorporated neo and symphonic styles with rock and even new age in a musical homeostasis that can only be adequately described in wordless aural images.

This second installment of their season's series is one that lulls you into quiet acceptance of what may come, much as the fall does, if you will only yield to it. Like most superior albums, the tracks are lovingly sequenced, and interlock cryptically. The best is the longest, the opener "Rush of Ages", which introduces the key elements - shape shifting melodies, sensitive time changes, provocative lyrics, PHIL GRIFFITHS finely honed voice and the seductive blend of instrumental prowess of all other members. Your own favourite might be the less penetrable "Star of Eden" with its distorted guitars and variety of riffs, or the more complex but rewarding "Antares"with its heavy guitars alternating with dreamy keys . Even the title cut, sounding as it does like a 1970s AOR ballad, is uplifted by keening lead guitars and a memorable tune. No comparisons really do justice, but I do hear some world prog influences as ephemeral as the hare, like SCHICKE FUHRS AND FROEHLING and JADE WARRIOR in a few of the more languid instrumental buildups, and SAGA in the vocal department.

Since the hare flits across your landscape so fleetingly, you may be inclined to dismiss it with a confused and cockeyed glance. But know that if you have any inkling of how much you will fall for it, you have but to stay put with your arms outstretched.