Poor Genetic Material

Poor Genetic Material is a German symphonic progressive band with an exceptional lead singer from the UK in Philip Griffiths, whose father Martin was the singer for Beggars Opera. The music on their 2001 CD Summerland was melodic and atmospheric, in the direction of bands such as Saga or Jadis, highlighted by the 12-minute title track. Their 2002 CD Leap Into Fall was certainly a step forward from their debut, an outstanding symphonic rock album for fans of Pendragon or Jadis, though PGM don’t strongly resemble either. Their 2003 CD Winter’s Edge was yet another step forward for a band that by this time can no longer meaningfully be called neo-progressive. The compositions here are quite sophisticated and richly-textured. Spring Tidings (2006) completes the seasons series and continues the trend of steady improvement with each album, making this the best of the series.

Having run out of seasons to use as album themes, PGM focused on songwriting on 2007’s Paradise Out of Time. While there may be no 20-minute tracks on this CD, the sound of the band is much the same, symphonic rock with strong vocals in service of more concise songs. A lot of other prog bands could stand to hone their songwriting skills as PGM have done.

Island Noises (2011) is a double-CD concept album based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Martin Griffiths provides recitations, while other guests include Pia Darmstaedter on flute and former member Martin Lengsfeld on piano. This is the least immediate of the PGM albums, which in progressive rock is often a point in the music’s favor. Island Noises is expansive and has great depth, the yin to Paradise Out of Time’s yang, and requires multiple listens. One of the highlights is the 20-minute title track, containing many Genesis-isms.