Reviews

Poor Genetic Material was founded by Stefan Glomb (guitar) and Philipp Jaehne (keyboards) as an experimental project mainly working on soundtrack material. Singer Philip Griffiths (son of the legendary Beggars Opera singer Martin Griffiths) joined the original duo to work and record together and line-up changes brought in bass player Dennis Sturm and drummer Dominik Steinbacher along with flautist Pia Darmstaedter. The different personnel also saw a movement in musical direction and they became more prog and songs oriented. ‘Island Noises’ is their seventh release, and is a double concept album that is based on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. I can just imagine the gnashing of teeth in certain quarters who felt that musical elitism was blown away by the ‘fresh air’ of punk music. It is not a retelling of the play itself, but rather a story based on elements and themes that can be found within it (so Caliban gets a whole song to himself). Of course, a decent epic prog concept album like this needs a narrator so Philip convinced his dad to step up to the mike once more (somewhat like Rick Wakeman narrating ‘Jabberwocky’ for Oliver). Not surprisingly that gained a lot of attention by some, but to be honest it is exactly what it is – a linking performance to assist in bringing the whole thing together. Although this does have songs, in reality it is much more about being a single piece of music with movements. In places it is dreamy and at others quite Hackett-ish, all the time with a certain ethereal other worldly quality which is definitely in keeping with the subject matter. It is music that those into early Seventies prog will get a lot from, as opposed to those who prefer their prog to be more neo and rocky. Philip has a great voice, much like a young Michael Sadler at times, but although there are many layers of keyboards this is much more trad prog than Saga. Overall a very enjoyable album, but be warned that at 1 hour 37 minutes it is a lot to listen to in one sitting, but rewards those who have the time to do so. It is not something that is easy to dip in and out of.
www.therecordlabel.net

So the answer to the ‘does real prog rock still exist’ kind of question is definitely YES! Although this review should have been written months ago I still feel an obligation to these fine musicians to let all prog fans know this is vocally, lyrically and musically great stuff indeed. Poor Genetic Material proves it is possible to come up with original songs in the genre of progressive rock with more than enough points of interest for people who usually would listen to other genres. One of the finest releases in prog-rock in 2011 in my opinion.
www.dprp.net/reviews/201150.php#pgm

On the instrumental opening track Banquet Of Disillusion of the second disc I clearly noticed influences of Camel and The Moody Blues. It ends with an energetic and howling guitar solo. Assassins And Sleepers is a ballad dominated by the piano and the acoustic guitar in which Genesis are never far away. In my opinion the best songs of the second disc are Drowning The Book and Dreamstuff. The first one is a nine-minute pop-rock epic with fine lyrics. It will certainly become a classic audience favourite during live performances. In the middle-section the atmosphere changes to a darker and sadder sound with a superbly played guitar solo in the vein of Camel's Andy Latimer. It kept my attention the full nine minutes. The final piece Dreamstuff is a kind of up-tempo ballad intended as an epilogue with again strong lyrics. Bass player Dennis Sturm certainly deserves a compliment here for he does an excellent job. The last minute has been reserved for another lively guitar solo by Stefan Glomb. If you're in for good progressive rock music without sharp edges or heavy breaks, try to get a copy of Island Noises. Listen while you're sitting in a comfortable chair and you won't be disappointed by the elegant music of Poor Genetic Material.
www.backgroundmagazine.nl/CDReviews/PoorGeneticMaterialNoises.html

I would give them a high score for such a great band name. Island Noises is the seventh release from German progressive/art rock band Poor Genetic Material. Island Noises is two CD concept album, after a fashion, as it's based upon William Shakespeare's The Tempest. However, this is not a retelling of the story. Rather it 'explores certain ideas, atmospheres and characters plot of the original play.' Scored over two discs, listening to Island Noises can be a daunting task. But those who persevere will be richly rewarded. The first disc consists of six tracks, five around six minutes or less and the last at nearly 20 minutes. The prog within is more traditional, with little modern nuances. A Dance So Strange is more like dynamic melodic rock. Let Them Beware offers a heavier twist. The final cut, the title track, is epic, and not just because of its length. The composition weaves through movements with both effortless grace and surprise. My instincts tells me it's a musician's piece, and the listener is merely voyeuristic observer.
www.dangerdog.com/2011-music-reviews/poor-genetic-material-island-noises-review.php

Poor Genetic Material's new album on ProgRock Records is a double CD, concept album, "based on William Shakespeare's The Tempest". Island Noises includes the band line-up of "Philip Griffiths (vocals), Stefan Glomb (guitars), Philipp Jaehne (keyboards), Dennis Sturm (bass), and Dominik Steinbacher (drums)". The band also uses guest artists, including: "Martin Griffiths (the legendary Beggar's Opera singer), classical flutist Pia Darmstaedter and jazz singer Jutta Brandl". Martin Lengsfeld plays piano on "Brave New World", "Fountain of Innocence" and "Dreamstuff". This is an epic double CD package, in the mold of Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. That being said, the thing that separates the two visions is that "The Lamb" was completely original and included great hooks and tracks that will be remembered forever. Now, only the "Genesis faithful" remember each track on "The Lamb", but there were so many memorable highlights. Island Noises on the other hand feels more like one long interpretation of a story from Shakespeare. The music and Griffiths', Michael Sadler – like voice are fantastic, and will give many listeners a full epic prog experience. However, it doesn't have the catchy tracks that will lift it to the level of "The Lamb", or maybe IQ's Subterranea. This is not a negative criticism, because I really enjoyed the entire album. It's just difficult to imagine many people sitting back and taking the time to enjoy it's fullness without some identifying tracks. I wish more people did have the time to take the album and really give it the time it deserves. Because it is a modern marvel. Hopefully I'm wrong and more people will enjoy both sides of this awesome banquet. The first CD's almost symphonic opening with, "Roarers", full of drums, flashing guitars and keys will knock you back in your chair for a long good listen. The story opens with Griffiths on vocals, who sounds like a younger Michael Sadler, "This music crept by me upon the waters". Then the second part of the overture begins complete with what sounds like choirs, drums, guitar and majestic keys. That "Use your authority!" and the "Hush don't you cry", really brings back that "Hurry, don't be late" sound from Sadler. The story from the Tempest begins to unfold, in earnest. This epic is underway and set to rock opera proportions.
seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=10556

The German band POOR GENETIC MATERIAL has a strong past review-connection with us, as we reviewed 5 albums of them in the past. They made a big impact with several of their recordings, which was thanks to a crystal clear sound on their albums, which combined classic Neo-Prog with strong melodies and especially the vocals of lead vocalist PHILIP GRIFFITHS (also known for his work with ALIAS EYE and being the song of the legendary BEGGARS OPERA singer MARTIN GRIFFITHS) contributed to the band’s quite sensational sound. Philips has got a perfect vibrato that actually reminds me a bit of DENNIS DEYOUNG of STYX as well as the CAIRO singer. Musically speaking the melodic Neo-Prog also comes close to CAIRO, the Canadian MYSTERY, ENCHANT and such more song based American Neo-Prog, which will also appeal to the regular AOR/Pompfans probably! Actually POOR GENETIC MATERIAL is one of the better Progbands from Germany, destined to become the follow-up to the legendary band ELOY. ‘Island noises’ is their latest effort, which is released on PROGROCK RECORDS and it is not a single CD, because this new record of POOR GENETIC MATERIAL is a double-CD set containing nearly 2 hours of beautiful picture-perfect Melodic Neo-Prog. This band has created an own style and this new CD, which is actually a concept record based on The Tempest by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, the band might have reached the finest work in their existence. If you’re familiar with the earlier albums of the band, you know what to expect, but in case you never heard anything of them, then this is your starting point, because the whole CD is a pleasure to listen to!
www.strutter.8m.com

There's playful moments here too as if PGM wants us to know they're having fun with their music. And it's imperative to mention the fabulous flute work of Pia Darmstaedter, who adds such a pastoral dimension to the album throughout and especially on the extended instrumental portion of "Sycorax." Martin Griffiths, father of Philip also makes an appearance on the album, doing all the spoken word. Griffiths senior, I'm told, is heavily involved in PGM's next project. The double CD comes with sleeve notes that include some beautiful minimalist impressionist paintings and lyrics. Production and sound is top notch. If you are a progressive metal fan looking for extended instrumental virtuosity and guitar wankery, look elsewhere. You'll not find it here. Poor Genetic Material seems to be that rare breed of progressive minded band that embraces melody and strong song-writing as part of the musical expanse that it celebrates. With Island Noises, the expanse has widened and the band has created its ultimate masterwork.
www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=5213

The music here seems to stand, in its entirety, within the parameters of the so-called Neo-Prog. The way the instruments interact, the vocals are imposed and the melodies are constructed do not allow any other categorization right from the start. But, contrary to many of the albums with those principles and aesthetics, this is one (double) album that needs sharp and concentrate listens, as there is a lot more than meets the ear. When you least expect, the band takes sudden changes in direction, the instruments shift gear and harmony and the music introduces nuances and intermissions. The more powerful and full instrumentation's give place to more atmospheric passages, sometimes punctuated by the spoken reading of “The Tempest” passages. The keyboards which serve as a mere component of the neo-pro melodic parts initiate vintage symphonic prog piano soloings and the guitars turn smoother and more inventive, counterbalancing the neo-prog standards which are used here. And as the album advances to the end of the first cd, and even more present in the second album, the overall musicality seems to fluently and successfully get rid of the neo-prog ropes and walk in other directions, more towards a rich, modern and sophisticated symphonic prog. The album, therefore, balances and finds its equilibrium in that no-men land between the neo and the sympho. This ends up being a great deed by this band, as this sort of balance is not that many times achieved with such know-how.
www.proggnosis.com/PGRelease.asp?RID=33255

Island Noises is a (gulp) double CD concept album based on The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Now I have to admit to not being a great fan of Shakespeare, but I have to admit that PGM's interpretation of this tragedy is something a bit special. I'm also not a great fan of concept albums as their history is littered with the pretentious twaddle of swords, sorcery, goblins and the like. But this is different. Everywhere there are great vocals, soaring guitar, expressive keyboards and even a little flute thrown in to ice the cake. The mood swings from roaring rock to melancholia in the blink of an eye and the inclusion of spoken quotations as the work progresses, rather like Jeff Wayne's 'War Of The Worlds', maintains the Shakespeare lineage, whilst affording a breather to the listener during what is a very intense work.
www.getreadytorock.com/reviews2011/poor_genetic_material.htm

Tracking your influences can be a tricky thing. We can be influenced by so many things. So when Poor Genetic Material, as a duo back in 2000 were exposed to the song oriented prog style of Alias Eye, who knew it would take them into uncharted waters. Up to that time the band were heavily experimental mostly working on movie soundtracks. Today the band is five members consisting of Phil Griffiths (vocals), Stefan Glomb (guitars), Philipp Jaehne (keyboards), Dennis Sturm (bass), Dominik Steinbacher (drums) with the assistance of Martin Griffiths (recitations) and Pia Darmstaedter (flute). Island Noises is the band’s ninth studio release, a double-disc where they tackle Shakespeare’s The Tempest...If you’re a fan of symphonic prog my recommendation is you rush out and get your hands on Island Noises fast. Poor Genetic Material have come up with a real gem; full of tasty prog and some hints of their former more experimental nature. The more I listened to this disc the more I heard and the more I fell in love with the band’s sound. Highly recommended.
www.jerrylucky.com/reviews%20p-t_029.htm

While not exactly adhering to that approach, Poor Genetic Material's latest production "Island Noises" is one that will have the strongest appeal amongst fans of neo progressive rock. The emphasis on harmonic melodies and the symphonic use of keyboard textures are features that will delight many who are fond of this stylistic expression. And while a few parts might be too smooth for some and the odd flirt with AOR style melodic rock may not suit everybody, the overall conclusion for me is that this crowd will be the key audience of this production. With melodic rock fans able to appreciate sophisticated features a second audience I believe this band should seek out.
www.progressor.net/review/pgm_2011.html