THE TIME CAPSULE

If you like THE TANGENT, I think you will like this band. "The Time Capsule" is more Psychedelic and experimental but it's Andy's vocals and the array of keyboards that connect these two great bands. Guy Manning plays guitar on three of the tracks, and in the liner notes he thanks "everyone who buys HIS album on the strength of his contribution to this one". WISHBONE ASH is also thanked by the band in the liner notes. As usual Andy's lyrics are very thoughtful , meaningful and always relevent. He looks at society and humanity in relation to our planet and survival.

The first song "Fast>>Fwd" opens with samplings of people talking and snippets of PINK FLOYD's music, with synths providing the background music. "Encapsulated" opens with acoustic guitar and gentle vocals that eventually get aggressive with lots of keyboard melodies. Things become quite uptempo after 6 minutes. "Promises Of Life" is an excellent song that is slow paced with spacey synths and pleasant vocals. A reflective song really. "Unforgiving Skies" is another highlight for me and this song gets better as it goes. Opening with gentle vocals and acoustic guitar that only lasts for a minute as things get heavy with some good guitar as well. 3 minutes in were back to mellow with light drums, piano and synths, but this all (including vocals) begins to build and build, until we have organ riffs and a full sound.

"The Sea, (Parallel or 90 degrees?)" opens with waves of synths and the sound of sea gulls (that come and go).This song was apparently loosely based on a riff by Bo Hanssen.The main melody is kind of jazzy with outstanding organ play, quite catchy. "Blues For Lear" is about the "Dog Eat Dog" world of big-business,and features thoughtful lyrics and more sea gulls. The song ends with a tasteful guitar solo. "The Single" is a catchy, uptempo tune with keys and drums leading the way instrumentally. Great sound. "The Time Capsule" is a 22 minute plus song that really kicks into gear about 3 minutes in. Soon there is this spacey, hypnotic melody that sucks you into another place, and check out the beautiful piano melodies 13 minutes in.There is more wondrous piano on the final song "Aftertime Capsule" an instrumental.

A great record that is filled with samples and exciting ideas.

I remember vividly how I did get this CD for the first time. Yeah, this CD represents my come back to the prog music after having believed that prog music died after Fish Marillion in 1988. Well, practically since then I did not pay attention to the development of prog music. AT the same time I was not into internet frequently at that time until I met a friend of mine in 1997 who confirmed me that prog was still alive. He played IQ "Ever" for me and handed me a catalogue of prog music from Cyclops (Malcolm). So I did try with some bands which had some influences from other legendary bands. Po90 was said as a band that was heavily influenced by Van Der Graaf, so I did order the CD of this album and the debut album "The Corner of My Room".

I do agree completely that any fan of Van Der Graaf would most likely love the music of Parallel or 90 Degrees provided that the music was recorded with modern technology which much more on electronic style as compared to Hammond-bashing of early Van der Graaf music. The vocal quality of Andy Tillison is in a way similar with Peter Hammill even though the two gentlemen have different timbre. Organ sounds seem very obvious throughout songs in this album and they provide graet listening pleasure especially for those who favor VdGG music.

Some excellent tracks include "Unforgiving Skies" which gives the dynamics of early Van Der Graaf music taken into the next level. The vocal quality of Andy gives unique characteristics of Po90 music. "The Sea" is also another excellent track especially on the changes of textures throughout repetitive rhythm section. But this song does not sound a boring music at all. "Blues for Lear" brings the music in mellow style with piano as main rhythm section. It moves flawlessly to the next segment with vocal but it still in bluesy music. The epic "The Time Capsule" encapsulates the band's vision for their music. With 22 minute plus duration, this might be of interest to those who love classic prog songs that endure more than 20 minutes like in Van der Graaf's "Pawn Hearts" album.

Even though not every song contained in this album are excellent but, I'm inclined to give it a full four star album. Well, my statement would seem "justified" especially if you enjoy the epic "Time Capsule" - it's a prog rock at its best! Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW