Here Now (see review), released in 2020, was a more than excellent album from the German symphonic prog band Poor Genetic Material, but their latest release Elsewhere is a slightly different sort of album. First of all, this new album was recorded by a somewhat “reduced” line up, being Philip Griffiths (vocals), Stefan Glomb (guitars, bass guitar) and Philipp Jaehne (keyboards and programming) and secondly there are only electronic drums on this album and that is really a shame as due to this the sound of this album is rather “artificial” and metallic-like... Another mishap on this album is the fact that most of the songs are so unoriginal, so middle of the road, that it is hard to believe that this is the same band as on their previous excellent album Here Now. For instance, the title track, clocking in over fifteen minutes is way too long and the other long song called Stargazing also does not really come to life and sounds too much alike other stuff on this album. Elsewhere sounds more ambient than ever indeed and that is certainly not to my liking; sad but true... For me, Elsewhere is the weakest Poor Genetic Material album by far and I hope that the next one will be again something that they released earlier, and please no more electronic drums!! **+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
