PARADISE OUT OF TIME

The season cycle was not the only spell broken by this POOR GENETIC MATERIAL album. During at least the previous three albums (I have not heard Summerland as of this writing), this group distilled their dynamic philosophy around composition and the design of an unabridged work. In contrast, "Paradise out of Time" is more structured and far less demanding than its antecedents.

The 9 tracks herein are more like conventional guitar oriented AOR with a few dashes of neo prog. Unfortunately, rather than triumph by understatement, the album generally lacks enthusiasm in its tight lipped insistence on adhering to conventional rhythms and structures. Even with PHIL GRIFFITHS accomplished singing, I'm not sure this would do much for me in isolation. However, this is not a JADIS album as much as it sometimes sounds like one, and prior accomplishments justify more attention to "Paradise out of Time" in spite of itself.

While I can't say the other shoe dropped completely, something did "click" over time, in the opener, the catchy "New Phase", reminiscent of early 1980s RAMSES, the atypically long "Out of Time", the initially spacey and later majestic "Starlightbound" and especially the closer "My Other LIfe", wherein Oliver Berger's violin freshens and enlivens the sound, and the guitar licks work wonders. In contrast, I was moved neither by routine rockers like "the Key" or "Citizen Cyclops", nor by ballads like "Paradise" or Holy Ground", which uncomfortably recall nondescript Christiant rock in feel even if they thankfully avoid lyrical cliches. I might add that this has always been a strength of the group. It marks my first experience with PGM tracks that I would rather skip than hear.

Since PGM has done so much better, I would not recommend this album as an entry point to their world, but would reserve this ironically earthbound work to committed fans or those who enjoy undemanding generally melodic rock with a low progressive quotient. 2.75 stars.