AFTERLIFECYCLE

Parallel or 90 Degrees started as an avant-garde rock project lead by organist/keyboardist/vocalist Andy Tillison and "second-in-command" keyboardist/guitarist Sam Baine. 'Afterlifecycle' is PO90's second offering, and their first as a proper band, since other three full-time members have joined the act on lead guitar, bass and drums, respectively. Their major prog influences are second era-VdGG, 73-77 Pink Floyd, 78-82 era-Hammill; you can also note clear leanings to old-fashioned electric blues-rock and psych rock, and a determined approach toward the current electronic pop scene, not unlike Porcupine Tree (or Radiohead, to put a very famous example). Their penchant for long compositions and elaborated arrangements makes them fit the 'prog' label, one way or another - they certainly don't hide their admiration for the prog genre, since every now and then they play VdGG, Hammill and The Nice covers ('Afterlifecycle' includes one of the latter as a bonus track). The long opening namesake suite is the highlight of the album, and also the piece around which the remaining repertoire revolves: here you can find many of the things you love about prog, such as diverse linked sections, fiery musicianship, well crafted melody lines and textures. and you've got your plus of synth effects, electronic percussion touches, that remind you that this is a very modern thing. 'Ithinkthereforenothing', the shorter following suite, adopts a more laid-back air, but essentially follows on the previous number's pace. 'Run in Rings' is a furious, angry-young-manish bluesy piece that shows Tillison's singing at its most passionate, while 'Coming Up Roses' carries a contrasting, easy going jazz-pop feel (ironically, since the lyrics convey political protest) - right when 'Coming Up Roses' ends, a powerful reprise of 'Afterlifecycle' resurfaces to give the recording a full circle end. In conclusion: I enjoy this record very much, not only for its contents, but for the band's ability to modernize the old sound without bastardizing it off its artsy roots.