Reviews

...The songs range from average outings to moments of sheer brilliance; and I believe it's a matter of personal taste for what tracks to place in each category. This band has a strong appeal towards several different crowds, and although few will find this collection perfect I believe many will find it to be a high quality release worth purchasing. And with an official running time of close to 2 and a half hours; this is excellent value for money too.
www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=208425

...I listened to both discs all the way through, and my "Listening Deficit Disorder" (okay, I made up that auditory ailment but we've all become restless at times with entire CDs) never kicked in. One of the many talents of Po90 is knowing when to shift gears if a musical passage begins to wear thin. I found myself listening to several of the songs a second time and enjoying them even more. Ever feel ripped off when a CD that can hold 74 minutes only gives you 40 minutes or so of playing time? Well grumble no more, this "Best Of" is a good value with each disc containing over 70 minutes of excellent musicianship. In this economy that equals more musical bang for your buck. The sound quality is very good as well. All instruments and vocals are well balanced. Sadly Po9D are no longer together, but in the booklet it mentions they never really broke up, so there is a chance that we may yet get to hear more from these talented musicians at a later date [Note: Band is reforming]. This 2-disc set is highly recommended for fans of the prog-rock genre!
www.musictap.net/Reviews/2009/March/ParallelOrNinetyDegreesACanOfWorms.html

Whenever I come upon a band that I haven't heard of or read about previously I feel as if I've been living in a cocoon. When I first heard Parallel Or Ninety Degrees David Bowie circa Ziggy Stardust popped up as a reference point. The more I listened to this compilation the more I came to think of the Swedish band Oxiplegatz (formed by Alf of Grotesque fame). Both bands have the same spacey feeling to their music and while not quite operating in the same sphere (prog rock vs. metal) there are more common points than there are differences for you to check out both bands if you like your music progressive. As Parallel' was a new acquaintance I had no expectations whatsoever. Having been a blank slate I can now proudly say that I?m a fan of the band. From what I understand Parallel' made it quite big when they were the most active. This compilation (with tracks from all the albums they've released) might mean some sort or revival for the band and I for one wish them all the best.
www.battlehelm.com/reviews/parallelorninetydegrees.htm

Very much a production consisting of two parts, the first CD in this set is a good introduction to PO90D as a band, covering most of the width and scope of their output, with a slight focus on songs with mainstream appeal. The second CD in the set contains material more of interest to existing fans of the act, assembling songs more experimental in general sound with previously unreleased material. Overall this compilation offers excellent value for money. Both CDs are filled to the brim with music and even if some of the compositions may not appeal as much as others, most buyers should find plenty of songs here to their liking - as long as they appreciate the general style explored on this 2 CD set. Overall, this is probably a perfect way to get acquainted with the band, and with enough goodies to be of interest also to their existing fan base.
www.progressor.net/review/po90d_2008.html

...The best part about A Can Of Worms is perhaps that you get the entire “Afterlifecycle” sequence presented as one track. It’s a half hour of your life that you’re willing to give away on any given day. Most of the song is very keyboard based and certain parts are filled with effects and weird sounds. It seems that Parallel Or Ninety Degrees’ focus is on using the keyboard as an atmospheric tool instead of trying to impress their fans with keyboard shredding solos. A Can Of Worms is a fantastic re-introduction to one of Progressive Rock’s most underrated bands. The individual skills of the members are great, but Parallel Or Ninety Degrees doesn’t put the focus on the individuals, but rather the band and the music as a whole. All the songs on this album put the music in the front seat, and the individuals second. Over two hours and thirty minutes of high quality music should be enough to tempt most people, so if you’re even remotely interested in Progressive Rock then there are no questions about it; you need to buy A Can Of Worms.
www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=reviews&id=2931

...In the words of those annoying television adverts, this set is exactly what it says on the cover. This is a 'best of' with enough added goodies and excellently entertaining notes to satisfy all fans of Po90. It would be wrong to stop there of course and it has to be emphasized that this should also extend to fans of progressive music who missed out first time around. The fact that this has been chosen, and re-mastered by Andy Tillson himself adds even more weight. Look out too for a wonderful previously unreleased version of "Blues For Lear". Truly exceptional stuff. As a result of this set landing on my doormat, I looked up the band's website and found some great news. Firstly, the reunion rumours are true and the band is making some appearances during this summer. Secondly, you can listen to this underrated band without crashing your modem. Now that's progress!
blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-parallel-or-ninety-degrees/page-2

...I you ask me, few does progressive rock like the Brits [just think about Anathema, ELP, Genesis, Porcupine Tree|Steven Wilson [and I should be very suprised I he isn't aquainted with this band], Wetton+Downes’ Icon project and of course Yes, to mention a few] and Po90 certainly is proving my point; A Can of Worms has pretty close to total of one hundred and sixty staggering minutes of mindboggling stuff and very few dull moments. Most of this is ear-candy. On display is a variaty of musical influences spanning from blues over funk and rock to more heavy stuff - everything beautifully exhibited on the two stunners "Afterlifecycle Sequence" [epic] and "Four Egos One War" [heavier, even massive at times] all with a distinctive British note, all enhanced with a very exciting string of well-thought, well-executed experiments - and in the end I can do very little but surrender to their song writing. It’s balanced, challenging, engaging, and inspired to a very rare extend with a firm ear for the melodic...
www.antenna.nu/?p=1020

...Navigating through the two discs (which each max out at around 80 minutes in length), we find the tracks to be mostly longer pieces that never stumble into the regular pitfalls of bad prog — noodling, unnecessary repetition and fantastic lyrical themes. The good bits are plentiful and come at a pace fast enough to hold attention throughout. Some that come to mind for this review are found on the title track to their 1999 release, Unbranded. Guitarist Gareth Harwood deploys in a variety of styles, power-chording atop Diskdrive’s choruses of societal decay, and dropping back in the mix during the verses’ electro-percussion and urgent keyboards. On 1996’s “The Media Pirates,” from the band’s debut The Corner Of My Room, Diskdrive plays guitar (and likely programs part of the drum track) as he discusses the ongoing battle for control of our information outlets and thought waves. The recurring vocal theme, “They are watching” fades in and out across the cut’s 10 ½ minutes. Current guitarist Dan Watts brings the metal down on the set-up to “Petroleum Addicts” from 2001’s More Exotic Ways To Die. Behind the choruses of discussion regarding the West’s involvement in oil wars, the music is more of a hazy backdrop for Diskdrive. Watts then transforms unexpectedly into a demonic K.K. Downing/Glenn Tipton hybrid with Pope Iommi II leading us in prayer. In a puff of smoke, he’s vanished beneath Baine’s electric piano and drummer Alex King’s complications...
classicrockmusicblog.com/cds-lps/parallel-or-ninety-degrees-a-can-of-worms

...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.
www.progressiveears.com/asp/reviews.asp?albumID=4929

German review
www.babyblaue-seiten.de/album_9544.html

German review
www.heavy-metal.de/?id=13308

...A very important aspect of this release is the possibility it provides us to listen to some of the never previously released tracks that should have been part of a new album (back in 2002). The booklet accompanying the album is very informative on the reasons for this best-of, as it is about the complete history of the band (in stand-by status for quite a while). The music of the band has always been challenging and very contemporary. A demonstration that the late 90’s and early 00’s progressive rock produced some real gems and innovative and inventive bands. PO90 has always been influenced by Peter Hammil and VDGG, but it did construct a very personal signature on top of those reminiscences, adding them a sort of “alternative” vibe, a heavier approach and a unique atmosphere that amazingly pin-point incorporated the emotional and sometimes aggressive vocal styling mused by Peter Hammil. In fact one of the most awkward yet brighten characteristic in this band has always been the capacity of Andy Tillison to sing in a emotionally descriptive way, like he is really feeling deep every word of the lyrics (yet again, just like PH). This is a terrific add-on to the instrumental architectures, already very complex and challenging...
www.proggnosis.com/PGRelease.asp?RID=27500

Parallel or Ninety Degrees, has released a double album. Entitled: "A Can Of Worms" with the undertitle:The Best of 1996-2001. The keyboard based duo Andy Tillison & Sam Baine created Parallel or Ninety Degrees, way back in 1996. After the first (Instrumental) album & "The Corner of My Room" the band extended to a five piece thus creating "Afterlifecycle" 1997. Andy Tillison´s side project: The Tangent, meanwhile stole the attention. The Tangent, being very popular in prog circuits! Anyhow, this superb comprehensive double release features: a compilation/selection of all five albums from mentioned band! Plus some new and unrelased tracks from the 2002 album!..
www.progplanet.com/index.php?categoryid=27&p2_articleid=734

Although I don’t adore compilations, I admit that they could serve as an excellent introduction to a band. Take this Parallel Or 90 Degrees as an example. No less than five Po90 albums were released between 1996 and 2001, but I have not a single one in my otherwise extensive collection. But … this brand-new double compilation album will make up for that. One of the main men behind Po90 was vocalist/keyboard player Andy Tillison, whom you might know from The Tangent. With all of Po90’s albums long deleted, he thought it would be fine to release a compilation with as bonus over 30 minutes of brand-new material. What we get here is a comprehensive selection of songs taken from the albums “The Corner Of My Room” (1996), “Afterlifecycle” (1997), “The Time Capsule” (1998), “Unbranded” (1999) and “More Exotic Ways To Die” (2001). But what makes this double sampler even more interesting are four specific tracks: a previously unreleased version of “Blues For Lear”, featuring Roine Stolt (dating from 2002) and three tracks from the band’s unreleased sixth album “A Kick In The Teeth For Civic Pride” (all dating from 2002). Excellently remastered, this compilation revealed some impressive, versatile progrock songs to me. Forget about the poor cover artwork, it’s the music behind it that counts and that is surely worthy of checking out!
www.rockreport.be/review.asp?id=2301

...Andy Tillison´s side project: The Tangent, meanwhile stole the attention. The Tangent, being very popular in prog circuits! Anyhow, this superb comprehensive double release features: a compilation/selection of all five albums from mentioned band! Plus some new and unrelased tracks from the 2002 album! Now the music: I am really impressed by the high quality of the music herein, old and new! Ive heard this double some 9-10 times and it grows with every spin!..
progboys.com/node/348

A Can Of Worms is a 'best of' compilation from progressive rock act Parallel or Ninety Degrees, Keyboard duo Andy Tillson and Sam Baine launched the band in 1996, from then till 2001 the group, also referred to as Po90, were very productive, releasing five albums. Parallel or Ninety Degrees have remained dormant since, due to commitments elsewhere with another band, The Tangent, with which they have enjoyed more success, that is until this release. A Can of Worms has fifteen tracks in total, in addition to some new and unreleased songs, including the track "Blues For Lear" on disc one, a slow number which has Roine Stolt on guitar and vocals. The production on this ProgRock Records release is spot on, delivering a great crisp sound. If you like lots of Keyboards in your progressive rock, they are put to good use here, this release will be right up your ally. I couldn't think of a better way to get acquainted with this progressive rock band, there is a lot of material on the two discs to sink your teeth into, including lengthy tracks like "Afterlifecycle Sequence" and "Four Egos One War". This is one 'can of worms' you can open safely from Parallel or Ninety Degrees.
www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=7381

Interview with Andy
lordsofmetal.nl/showinterview.php?id=2503&lang=nl

...Best-of albums are often criticised. Sometimes with good reason. A Can of Worms is obviously not an attempt at making a quick buck, however, and it is actually a rather welcome release. Po90 had good ideas, and they executed them efficiently, drawing on inspirations from several decades and even pushing the envelope at times. For the most part, their post-2000 material comes across as more adventurous and daring, but if this career retrospective is any indication, they played solid prog rock during their entire lifespan. The songs on the main disc are no longer available to buy anywhere, and you also get thirty minutes of previously unreleased material, making for an album that runs over two hours. To top it off, you can read the band's history from Tillison's point of view in the liner notes. You can't ask for more than that--and you certainly shouldn't, because A Can of Worms is, well, the good stuff.
www.metal-revolution.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.1953

Parallel or 90 degrees is a UK outfit that produced 5 records between 1996 and 2001, most of which are out of print. This double CD compilation takes some of the best tracks from these records as well as a few special extras including a track with Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings. The liner notes are a fantastic read and all the trials and tribulations of the band are laid bare. In the end, though it is all about the music, really, and there is a lot of great music here. Hand selected tracks from the bands records: The Corner of my Room, Time Capsule, Afterlifecycle, Unbranded, More exotic Ways to Die (this is the only one I had heard before and really liked it) and finally tracks from an unreleased one called A kick in the Teeth for Civic Pride. These are long epic tracks. The first CD has 9 tracks in 79 minutes so plenty to enjoy. The 2nd CD is only 6 tracks and over an hour and contains the Complete Afterlifecycle in one go and 3 of the tracks from the Unreleased CD. Enjoy. Great band, let’s hope they make more music again one day. For those who don’t know a lot of these folks are involved in the Tangent, a band you might know. I personally like this band better though.
www.lowcut.dk/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=606:parallel-or-90-degrees-a-can-of-worms&catid=29:album-reviews&Itemid=54

...A Can of Worms is a sort of “best of” added with 5 previous unreleased songs. The album is quite varied, sometimes psychedelic (Man Of Thick Air), other times a mix of blues and jazz (Blues for Lear), then again AOR and even songs with dance influences (Afterlifecycle Sequence); but all songs can be labelled best as progressive rock songs. Man Of Thick Air has a large guitar solo and great keyboard playing. Modern has heavy and somewhat dark riffs with a jamming guitar solo. The Media Pirates is more keyboards oriented with a subtle keyboard jamming session. Space Junk is quite hallucinating, it best can he heard with the headphones on. Petroleum Addicts has all elements of a great prog rock song with a great solo, unfortunately after 11 minutes another song with another atmosphere is pasted against it; just skip this part. Almost all songs on the second cd weren’t recorded before except the long Afterlifecycle Sequence. The other songs are worth listening absolutely. Four Egos One War is keyboard oriented prog rock song while Fadge part one is a progressive rock song that takes only 3: 32 minutes; most progressive metal riffs with a psychedelic atmosphere. Hopefully A Can of Worms is the start of the second period of Parallel of 90 degrees, the music is worth it and quite interested for progressive rock fans.
www.digital-steel.com/DS/index.php?headpage=albumrevs&id=1158

Parallel Or Ninety Degrees, the great Yorkshire band that released six CDs to often great critical acclaim but seemingly not much in the way of popular recognition. Having been dormant since 2002, largely due to the success of The Tangent, it has just been announced that the band are working on a new album for release later in the year. As all the original CDs are scandalously out of print, this remastered double compilation CD, featuring the cream of their output in addition to several unreleased gems, will have to suffice until the new album is completed and the back catalogue can be reissued...With the group back writing and recording and this fine compilation providing a summary of what has gone before, there is still hope that Parallel Or Ninety Degrees will get some of the recognition they deserve. With the success of The Tangent it is hopeful that more people will be encouraged to check out A Can Of Worms, I assure you, if you like The Tangent, you'll love PO90D!
www.dprp.net/reviews/200908.php#po90D

To be honest... I had not heard a single note from Parallel Or Ninety Degrees (PO90 from now on) before and yes, that's merely ONE band and not, eh, two, as their rather dodgy monicker may at first suggest. Lo and behold, they have recorded no less than five albums between the years of 1996 to 2001... and we've managed to ignore them all. Wicked... and they say ignorence is bliss after all. We're opening up "A Can Of Worms" here as this is a double-disc release with the best of PO90, plus previously unreleased material. Like any proud progressive rock band would gladly point out, the four bonus tracks, that's yet another 38 minutes of music (ehhh... wankers). And that's including the original version of "Four Egos One War", which The Tangent recorded for their 2007 release, 'Not As Good As The Book'. Indeed, PO90 was fronted by Andy Tillison of The Tangent and it's good, old, U.K. prog, heavily inspired by the old masters of Pink Floyd. Then again, you try and come up with a single prog-rock band (rock, not metal) that hasn't been inspired by 'The Dark Side Of The Moon'. They have/had a rock solid rhythm section, not to mention Floyd-ish like guitar solos, and ground shaking vocals. Tillison and Sam Baine worked together like a pair of well-oiled keyboard machines (huh?) through all of the songs. The time changes and key movements are darn good at times, and the band members worked vigorously with each other, keeping the tempo and prog going. Do not expect PO90 to be as "commercial" (in lack of a more suited word) as The Tangent. RPWL and Pink Floyd fans should feel right at home.
www.rockunited.com/reviews2009_01_03.htm

...PARALLEL OR 90 DEGREES (from now on to be shortened to PO90) sound like a band that should be legendary in the Prog Rock scene. Everything here is done to perfection, the production is amazing throughout, all of the instruments are played to a brilliant technical level and the vocals are consistently impressive. Despite all this though, I can hardly find any information about them online, and this band doesn’t seem to have that big of a fan base, which amazes me. Not because I love the music, even though I sort of do, but because there is nothing here which popular bands like PORCUPINE TREE do better really, PO90 are on the same level as any of the best Prog Rock bands, a lot of the time surpassing them...
www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=15743

...There is a tendency on “best of” discs to try and put as many tracks as possible on, which sometimes means leaving out the longer ones. I’m happy to report that wasn’t the case here. There are many tracks between eight and ten-minutes but there are even some longer such as “Afterlifecycle Sequence” [28:00] and the previously un-released “Four Egos One War” [20:14]. Stylistically the music on A Can of Worms is as I said somewhat similar to The Tangent although there are some differences. It’s perhaps not quite as complex in a Canterbury way, nor does it seem to have as wide a range of keyboards. The sounds are there but not always arranged in the same manner. This isn’t in any way disappointing; it simply shows how the band’s sound would eventually evolve. Each of the tracks also seems to have been selected with an ear to bridging them all together. I didn’t get a sense that this track was old or this one was newer, in fact Parallel or 90o managed to maintain a pretty constant and well developed sound over their years of being together. The tracks, being longer each changed time and tempo, got louder or quieter and featured many musical solo spots and change-ups. It’s everything a progressive rock record should be...
www.jerrylucky.com/reviews%20p-t_018.htm

A band’s success can beget a second look at its members’ previous work. Hence, here is A Can of Worms — an aptly titled, remarkably diverse two-CD set featuring tracks from six long out-of-print albums by Parallel or Ninety Degrees. The eclectic British collective boasted Andy Tillison, Roine Stolt and Guy Manning and eventually morphed into The Tangent, which become one of the most popular groups on the InsideOut Music label. In the entertaining liner notes, Tillison writes that the idea behind Po90 was to be a “modern mainstream rock band that sneaked progressive music in via the front door.” This anthology proves they succeeded (“A Man Of Thin Air,” “Embalmed In Acid”) more often than not (“Modern”). Also included are three previously unreleased tracks, including one re-imagined for The Tangent, a band whose 2003 debut CD outsold Po90’s entire catalog in less than a month. That doesn’t mean this music should go unheard, though.
www.goldminemag.com/article/Review_Parallel_or_Ninety_Degrees_A_Can_of_Worms_The_Best_of_Po90_1996_2001