Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Something Borrowed Something Blue, July 25, 2004
Fans of old Genesis (I mean OLD Genesis) rejoice. Long followed in the UK, and via imports in the US, IQ makes their first American release in over a decade with the aptly named "Dark Matter". With a set of keyboards purchased from a Tony Banks yard sale, IQ presents a rebirth, or for their fans, a continuation of the "keyboards mixed forward" feel that made household names of guys like Rick Wakeman. Lush sounds straight off your old records leap out at you, including string and flute melotrons, 70's era sound effects, Leslie organ speakers, and did I hear an ARP? The keyboards are complimented by cleanly played drums, and bass, with lyrical, multi-tracked, harmonized, high-sustain guitars soaring overhead. The rapid meter changes and transitions in feel demanded by this project are handled with aplomb. Very nicely done. A couple of songs kind of beat you over the head with repetitive odd meter, but that's a small thing. By and large, the project is very well written, played and produced with excellent musicianship on display throughout. The vocalist reminds me of a young Peter Gabriel, only less smoky and more on key. This guy has a nice set of pipes. Very enjoyable to listen to.
This is a themed project, all about the end of the world, and/or death and loss in general, and/or war and its associated tragedy. So try not to play it first thing in the morning, or just after the end of a relationship. The Lyrics take the form of broken poetry in the grand tradition of progressive rock. The brooding, ethereal, circular words only transition abruptly into straight prose at one juncture, when, during the 24 minute title song, "Harvest of Souls", they take a big sarcastic poke at the United States in plain English. After several listens, you realize that pretty much the whole 25 or so minutes is devoted to a big poke at the United States. It seems an odd move from a purely business perspective. But IQ is obviously entitled to their opinion, and I certainly support their right to dissent and to sing about it. It's what makes our two countries great. So, I'll not toss this CD in the landfill with the Dixie Chicks.
Overall, I give Harvest of Souls a solid B+. It is well played, but lacks originality. You will hear the war music from Yes's classic, The Gates of Delirium, and passages sounding just like Genesis' "Blood on the Rooftops", and tiny, much less obvious "borrowed" licks, sounds, and passages abound. IQ does not seem concerned with moving the art form forward. They could be called, "The Prog Rock Preservation Society." But if you are a fan of progressive rock, particularly, the sound pioneered by Genesis, you will get a big kick out of this one. Welcome back to America, IQ. All the best to you.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Prog Powerhouse, June 22, 2005
Twenty-five years, huh? Why haven't I heard them before? That's a common problem for many of us with willing ears but limited sources of introduction.
This is obviously my introduction to IQ, which was recommended to me on the strength of my interest in Spock's Beard, the Flower Kings, and Porcupine Tree. Since I haven't heard the band's other albums I can only concentrate fully on what's here rather than compare and contrast with previous works.
Here's what I liked after closely listening to Dark Matter a half-dozen times:
1) Sacred Sound; a hard-driving opener. Sets the tone of this prog powerhouse.
2) Red Dust Shadow; mellow yet powerful
3) You Never Will; a brutally honest self-appraisal
4) Born Brilliant; a pounding, driving anthem
and
5) Harvest of Souls; an epic journey that takes the listener all over the prog map.
Looks like I like the entire CD! Now that I have heard Dark Matter, I will take a musical journey through IQs back catalogue.
If you like progressive rock, then Dark Matter is highly recommended. Its one of the best CDs I've heard in the past year!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
IQ Matters...Darkly, March 21, 2005
This is my first CD by IQ. I am familiar with Jadis, Marillion, Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, The Flower Kings, Pain Of Salvation and many others. I have been following the recent renaissance in prog. I run a small radio show centred on prog on a community station. Those are my credentials...
I voted this CD as one of my Top Nine Best Progressive CD's of 2004. It made #2. Proto-Kaw, Before Came After, ranked #1.
My views on this work:
This CD is packed with surprises. While achieving melodic sophistication, most songs refuse to drift into the familiar paths many prog bands trudge. Bravely crafting listenable and yet challenging pieces, the quartet IQ have propelled the realm of 21st century prog into the age of angst. The CD's conceptual message is not so contrived as to give way to a roll of the eyes, but is so significantly relevant that uninitiated listeners to monolithic masterpieces of prog such as the 28-plus minute finale, Harvest Of Souls, will be engaged and at the same time stretched to their listening limits.
Tightly written, intelligently presented and maturely performed, Dark Matter is a CD of layered art. Sublime, this offering by this remarkable band deserves 100 times the attention it is currently receiving.
The sound quality is crystal clear. Inside Out has provided packaging that enhances the experience afforded on this CD.
My recommendation:
Try this CD. If you don't enjoy it, you are not interested in good, solid, inciteful, exhilirating prog.
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