Professor and the Madman has a very experienced lineup that features singer and guitarist Alfie Agnew (Adolescents, D.I.), singer and guitarist Sean Elliott (D.I., Mind Over Four) and a rhythm section that boasts alumni from the Damned, bass man Paul Grey (also of U.F.O. and Eddie & the Hot Rods) and drummer Rat Scabies. Their talents combine on S�ance for a set that mashes-up power pop melodies with prog rock side trips; a perfect example is opening cut "All the Lonely Souls," an Alan Parsons Project-meets Cheap Trick rocker that sets the mood for this otherworld-themed set. "So Long" portrays a man trying to figure out if life is still worth living, but it's set to a bright melody and singalong lyrics that belie the fact that the guy is thinking of chucking it all, and "Time Machine" is an irresistible and bouncy pop song with an appropriate dose of childlike optimism woven into a happy groove. After a spacey mid-song instrumental interlude that represents the traversing of time comes a list of things to be done in the past; correct mistakes, make lots of money, and in a clever nod to Scabies and Grey, "1980 and go see the Damned."