$6.99

Instrumental material from the time before the band met Alias Eye's Phil Griffiths. Re-recorded in 2005.

Review from EPRR:
Because Poor Genetic Material are taking longer than anticipated to record their fourth instalment of "seasonal albums", they have taken time out, in-between building their new recording studio and replacing Ludwig Benedek with new drummer Dominic Steinbacher, to work on what may be deemed a stop gap release. Don't let this deter you; even with the absence of vocalist Phil Griffiths this should still be looked upon as being another substantial release by this major band. This new direction of combining two careers, i.e. their instrumental experimental side such as this album and their usual vocal releases, could pay big dividends for them, especially in concert.
This material consists of old works, pre Phil Griffiths, and two new tracks. The older tracks have been remixed and most have been re-recorded. Like fellow stable mate Thomas Gloenkler's new release, this music lends itself to film soundtracks.
Reflective piano movements burst into life with overlapping guitars creating tranquil and uplifting moods: overall though this album is more thoughtful than uptemo. Again, as with Gloenkler, there is undoubtedly a new age feel running throughout, (read Thomas Gloekler's review), in fact track 6 is uncannily similar to Mark Isham's "In The Blue Distance", especially when a trumpet appears, it has that same haunting sound that Isham captures. This style continues on the classic, piano dominated, 10min track, "Four", which is a sweeping cinematic piece of work that is at once reflective, haunting and intense, more so when chorals surface. Obviously, PGM are more keyboard and piano orientated than Gloenkler so "Free To Random" is more geared towards Kitaro's style than the Ackerman and Marshall direction: track 7 is a good example while track 5 tends to lean towards George Winston meeting Gandalf. Finally, does track 2 sound like Tangerine Dream?
This album is a substantial and important release, it was an inspired piece of thinking to release it. I personally look forward to more releases in this vein from Poor Genetic Material. My admiration has increased 10 fold after hearing this extraordinary piece of work.
This album firmly places Poor Genetic Material at the forefront of instrumental music along side Kitaro, Mike Oldfield, Gandalf and Tangerine Dream.