Search - Parallel Or 90 Degrees :: After Life Cycle

Worth Investigating

El Kabong | 08/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Consider PO90 as Cyclops Records' penance for all the whining neoprog schoolboys they've set loose on the world (Grey Lady Down, Jump, Primitive Instinct, etc). Don't get me wrong - this is a neo band of sorts (albeit a VERY VERY GOOD neo band). Two keyboardists in front, who complement each other rather than compete; Andy Tillotson's Hammond flourishes over Sam Baine's synthwork create some atmospheric and exciting sound canvases. Guitarist Graham Young isn't called on to do too much, but he makes the most of what moments he does get to blow: he's a fluid, graceful player. Lyrics are likewise a cut above the usual neo fare. Of course, it isn't as if we haven't heard these plaintive existential sighs and visions of dystopia on a hundred other albums, but they're well-written & economically evocative (most prog lyricists try to kill you with displays of big words and epic concepts - the Topographic Oceans Syndrome). AFTERLIFECYCLE is P090's debut, made up of two massive, multi-part epics, "Afterlifecycle" & "Ithinkthereforenothing", and a handful of standalone, if equally long, tracks - including an enjoyable Nice cover ("Flower King of Flies"). The title epic is the best thing on here; the opening section, both keyboardists slowly building and churning up to the main riff, being especially satisfying. And most of the rest of the cd is equally worth hearing, a few lulls and dead patches notwithstanding. While an occasional burst of electric andrenalin would probably have added something here, there's more than enough meat on the carving board to adequately feed your head. Final note: many people (including the band) mention Peter Hamill & VDGG when dissecting the Parallel sound. I can't see more than passing similarities myself, but give em credit for namedropping a good band!"

A prog discovery!

isabelle bré | Salbris,Loir-et-cher,France | 07/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'd just like to tell you that this album is worth to be heard if you like prog and long tracks. I've just discovered this group through this album (thanks to internet!).According to me, the first track("dead on a car park floor") sounds like Tears for Fears. The other tracks have lots of things with Pink-Floyd in common.If you want more informations about Parallel or 90 degrees, see the web site where you'll can listen to samples on MP3:deltamonsoon.demon.co.uk."