FREQUENCY (E)

Frequency by is the ninth studio album in 23 years of IQ. It isn't a prolific production, but fortunately the quality of the albums, especially of this new one, compensates for this more than enough. Although drummer Paul Cook as well as keyboardist Martin Orford left the band in the new millennium, their substitutes are doing a terrific job. During the live shows, Cook is replacing Andy Edwards adequately. The spirit of IQ’s first two albums is clearly there, but the keyboards sound more modern and Peter Nicholls' voice is mellower, however IQ couldn’t have a better vocalist for their music. Mike Holmes plays the most beautiful melodies on his guitar and the characteristic changes in tempos and keys and the awesome instrumental interludes are the highlights of this new offering. The opening track is the title track and it has everything that makes IQ-music so special and wonderful. A real treat and the glory days of The Wake (1985) are coming to mind instantly. The second track features Mark Westworth's piano and one of the best vocal performances of Peter Nicholls I’ve ever heard. It seems, that as time went by, he only got better! Subtle orchestrations and just a tiny bit of guitar conclude the first part. The slow second part is for Holmes’ guitar and Westworth’s synths. Delightful drumming by Edwards and bass playing by John Jowitt. The last part is a very ‘ambient’ sounding piece. The characteristic repeated changes in key are present in the third track, the second epic of the album. A mid-tempo song at the beginning, melancholic singing and the leading man here is Mark Westworth. The second part is more powerful and reminds me of Genesis period Foxtrot (1972) and Nicholl’s voice can be heard changing channels from left to right. The last bit is in the vein of the best IQ could offer, carried on the wings of heavenly played Mellotron sounds. The ballad on this album is called One Fatal Mistake. The first part is comparable to the second track Life Support. In the second part the music contains some elements of ambient music as well as in the first notes from Ryker Skies. Again this is a long track, giving each band member the opportunity to excel. Not for the first time, I’m stunned by Westworth’s performance and he proves to me - and possibly to many other people - that Martin Orford certainly is replaceable! The longest track The Provence starts with the guitar of Mike Holmes, but soon the ‘orchestra’ by Westworth is there too. Once more good vocals by Nicholls in this acoustic sounding first parts, alternated by more powerful pieces featuring the organ. The music sounds somewhere between Genesis and Dream Theater. Especially the solo by Westworth reminds me of the playing by Genesis' Tony Banks, and these are most pleasant memories indeed! Multiple effects on Nicholl’s vocals keeps the listeners on their toes in the ever changing moods and tones of this music. The final track Closer is a very sensitive piece of music with a touch of pop music blended with all IQ elements. All lyrics are worthwhile and certainly everyone for whom English is their native tongue, will appreciate these even more than I can.

The first pressing goes along with a second disc containing a live registration on DVD of a show recorded in 2007 at Cultuurpodium De Boerderij in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands in 2007. Although there are no credits stated, I believe John Vis was responsible for most (if not all) of the images of this concert, which is an extremely nice bonus. On every front I think this is an outstanding offering by IQ, proving that with Westworth and Edwards in the line up, the band is yet to reach its peak. Frequency is a must for all IQ fans and highly recommended to all fans of melodic prog in the vein of Genesis during the seventies.