Review
PO90° is more a phenomenon than a band having had a history that could have been thought up by Douglas Adams (got all to do with garden sheds and sudden emigration, don't ask!). That might be one explanation for the versatility in their styles. The other is more complicated.
Firmly rooted in British culture - they even don't stop at M&S - and in British conventional progressive rock, PO90° makes generous use of other band's contemporary, and not so contemporary, musical language to the point where one could be inclined to think: 'Hey, that sounds li...' ,but that is as far as it goes. By juxtaposing the most unlikely styles and genres (think blues, punk, metal, Brit pop, electronic etc.) interwoven into flowing musical arrangements the effect is rather enticing to the degree of delightfulness.
Adding to all this eclectic-ness is the fact that this double album is a compilation comprising songs recorded between 1996 and 2001 and three previously unreleased pieces from 2002. The trouble with compilations is that songs are presented out with their context, be it time-wise or album-wise. That can lead to a 'Ewwh, don't do that again' effect. Though songs triggering this effect were rather rare and repeated listening actually could counteract this. What's more, the 'That's so hot, hot, hot' effect outdoes anything irritating by far.
The liner notes are illuminating, once you've got over that Douglas Adams part:
We were a band who believed passionately that progressive rock music belonged into the modern world, that it could be ripe, challenging, alert and relevant to today's times.
Andy Tillison nailed it there. More than any other album A Can of Worms manages the balancing act between the niche dwelling progressive rock and more popular genres, not redefining prog-rock, like the not wanting to be new prog bands ( Porcupine Tree, Muse or Radiohead ) but rather filling the large gap between the genres linking what appeared otherwise mutually exclusive.
With that many facets, this album is a beautifully shaped, CD collection enhancing gem. --Progressiveears
Product Description
Po90 was officially named in 1996 by "The Corner of My Room" was recorded also in 1996, but took a back seat in the release stakes when the band extended into the five piece unit it now has become. The album "Afterlifecycle" (1997) was the band's first CD release on the Cyclops label and featured the new expanded lineup. It was exceedingly well received by press and public alike and featured the long title sequence which still forms an integral part of the band's live set.
The band did some sporadic gigs with people such as Credo and Grey Lady Down, then proceeded to buckle down to the next album "The Time Capsule". Although well received and featuring some more song based material, the band never really felt as good about this one as its predecessor, (despite it being many people's favorite) Another bout of gigs saw Po90 play with the Flower Kings, Jadis, Wishbone Ash, as well as numerous headline gigs. The band also made it across to Holland for the Progworld festival in Utrecht.
The band underwent some lineup changes after this and set about devising the next album which eventually emerged as "Unbranded- Music from the EEC Surplus", an album which all the members of the band were exceedingly pleased with. The album contains some of the most biting and radical progressive rock music made for many years... prompting this from Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree "a riff worthy of King Crimson or VDGG over a drum and bass rhythm is certainly different. I'm intrigued. "
Now in late 2008 Andy is bringing a new 'Best of +' that has a selection of all the previous albums (virtually impossible to find now) and the tracks that were going to become "Kick in the Teeth" but never saw the light of day due to the overwhelming success of Andy's other project "The Tangent".
Although Andy Tillison Diskdrive's THE TANGENT project is well known in Progressive Rock circles, the music of his earlier band Po90 is less known, yet highly respected among many. With all their albums long deleted availability has been difficult, this compilation of the band's work from 1996 to 2001 with as a bonus over 30 minutes of brand new tracks. Is a perfect introduction.
This comprehensive selection across all 5 albums also includes several new and unreleased tracks from 2002 album sessions, put on hold by the emerging success of the Tangent. This includes the Po90 original of "Four Egos, One War" (later re-imagined by The Tangent) and a version of "Blues For Lear" featuring the guitar and vocal of Roine Stolt. The bands acclaimed "Afterlifecycle" suite is also presented as a continuously running track for the first time.
