CD Review

IQ
"Ever"

Rating 98%

reviewed by Rimsk S.

Buy It Now from

 At long proggin last, IQ have finally recorded a NEW album! A new basser, a new logo and a great new album from Progs finest band.

The first track entitled In the Darkest Hour clocks in at a Proggin' 11 minutes, and begins with a very complicated intro, leading nicely into an uptempo bit which reminds me of the bit in Human Nature where they really go for it! The next part of the song follows a heavy riff with Ioadsa mellotron, fading nicely into an atmospheric ending of acoustic guitar piano and vocals.

Then Fading Senses, a 7 minute track, beginning with 12 string guitar, keyboards and vocals melding into a doomie guitar riff. Listen to the weird sounds at the end, there are many special effects including bird songs. Following that is Out Of Nowhere. This songs reminds me of The Thousand Days in the fact that it is uptempo with a nice intro riff. Pete poses the conundrum 'Is there some thing more that this?' I Proggin' doubt it! Superb Mellotron freakout towards the end!

Further Away is my favourite track on the album. A quiet start building into a chugging guitar riff reminiscent of that bit in The Wake. Marvin Orfords' keys in this song are totally outstanding, managing to solo over one of the most amazing time signatures that I've heard! After the solos come a quiet bit with bombs and gunfire in the background, more acoustic guitar and keyboards followed by the biggest ending I've ever heard!

Track five Leap of Faith has a good intro, that quickly morphs itself into another total prog-out. The time signature alternates from a 13/8 to 19/8 whist 'Mad' Mikes' guitar solos compete with Marvins' solos. Another great Mellotron ending merging into the final track Came Down, a slow ballardish song that compares with The Magic Roundabout, clocking in at an amazing 13 proggin' minutes for the both of them.

In my humble opinion, this is the best IQ album that I've Ever heard, and probably one of the best albums Ever! They've definitely pulled it off this time. All five of the boys gel together like bees in a beehive on a warm September evening. The album is due to be released in June and will be available from GEP Records, P.O Box 23, AIresford, Hants, S024 9WE for £12. Don't forget to tell 'em Silhobbit sent ya!