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Review:
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The first time I listened to the songs of this brandnew,
ninth (IQ) studio-album was yesterday (on April 25th, 2009)
when I attended an outstanding, very inspired IQ gig (including
the celebration of Mike Holmes’s birthday and the return
of first line-up drummer Paul Cook) in the progrock venue
De Boerderij, part of their promotional tour of the CD "Frequecy".
I was delighted about these new compositions, reminding
me of The Wake (1985), my favorite (IQ) studio-album. -
Well, at home I got even more excited after a few "Frequency"
listening sessions’ and at some moments goose bumps appeared
on my arms, that’s the usual sign that I am in a perfect
progrock mood! The album opens with the title track "Frequency",
first great sound effects and then we can enjoy (IQ) in
its full splendor during the slow rhythms with a bombastic
atmosphere featuring fiery and howling electric guitar runs
and moving violin- and choir Mellotron eruptions (by Mark
Westworth who has replaced founding member Martin Orford
in 2007), for me this is IQ their trademark, very compelling
and exciting. In between the climates range from dreamy
with warm piano and a bit melancholical vocals to mid-tempo
with tight drums and sensitive electric guitar, what a tension
and dynamics and what a very promising first composition.
In the other six tracks IQ also finds a perfect balance
between dreamy atmospheres, propulsive mid-tempo rhythms
and bombastic outbursts, embellished with great work on
guitar and keyboards (with frequent mid-Genesis undertones):
wonderful guitarplay with the volume pedal, majestic choir-Mellotron
and sensational synthesizer flights in "Life Support",
a strong vocal performance and a spectacular break in the
varied "Stronger Than Friction", acoustic rhythm
guitar, soaring strings and warm vocals, concluded with
Tony Banks sounding choir-Mellotron drops in the short,
dreamy "One Fatal Mistake", a mouth-watering vintage
keyboard sound (Hammond, Mellotron, Minimoog) and propulsive
bass play in "Ryker Skies" and strong vocals with
tasteful guitar – and keyboard colouring in the beautiful
ballad "Closer". But my absolute highlight is
the magnum opus "The Province", a constant ‘eargasm’
of almost 14 minutes: wonderful twanging 12-string acoustic
guitar, great vintage keyboards (lush Hammond, impressive
choir-Mellotron and flashy Minimoog runs), exciting propulsive
guitar riffs and drums (by newcomer Andy Edwards) with powerful
Hammond waves, a moving electric guitar solo with violin-Mellotron
support and a warm conclusion with intense vocals and tender
piano, this is (IQ) at their best and a ‘future classic’!
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It’s incredible how IQ have matured since Martin Orford
and Mike Holmes founded the band in 1981: it has become
an experienced unit, John Jowitt’s powerful and creative
bass work is omnipresent, Peter Nicholls sings as never
before and during the years IQ has turned into one of the
leading progrock bands. With this new album IQ has delivered
an excellent new CD on which new keyboardist Mark Westworth
shines. To me Frequency sounds even better than "Dark
Matter" (2004) and in my opinion the climates are close
to the magic of "The Wake" so highly recommended
and a big hand for these sympathic progrock veterans! -
P.S.: the Special Edition contains the "Frequency"
CD and a Bonus DVD entitled IQ Live In Holland 2007 (12
compositions recorded at De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, including
2 Frequency tracks). Both versions are available end May
2009, I bought my Special Edition version at the Saturday
concert, it was sold out before IQ had finished that gig!
www.progwalhalla.com
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