ELSEWHERE

POOR GENETIC MATERIAL is a long lived German band that likes to clump albums by themes, from random electronics to the seasons to epic authors to....? Perhaps the current cycle is about travelling in time as we are wont to do in our minds as we age, resulting in our absences, in our being present in the here and now, in our being elsewhere, all within a 5 minute conversation. As a result, they mark a return to roots if you will, to dreamy, airy extended pieces that float like a languid thought bubble over a cartoon senior.

With this latest installment, the rhythm section is missing so all percussions are presumably electronic, and somehow the music seems both bluesier and more ambient than ever. This in itself is a feat but for me, personally, it doesn't make for an engrossing listen especially relative to most of the group's impressive discography. The lack of flute is also problematic as it has imparted welcome delicacy to the last half dozen or so albums. The lyrical messages seem to be telegraphed through suppression of the accompaniment and crystalline enunciations, especially in the epic title cut. Often I find myself not aware of a piece until it is almost over, and give it another whirl with similar results. The lovely melodies and punchy numbers that characterize the group history are curtailed. Luckily "The Colour of Happiness" is a joy as are the two previously released songs, "The Star" and "Stargazing", thought provoking and engaging. While some passages in others are undeniably appealing, the overall effect of "Elsewhere" is to make me feel guilty about being right back where I started 50 minutes later.