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I'm amazed to see that only three fans roused themselves to review IQ's "Seventh House," and two reviews were lackluster. Given this outrageously poor showing I must leap to the defense of what in my opinion is one of the BEST all-round progressive rock bands (and albums) EVER.
IQ had been together and mostly intact personnel wise for maybe 20 years by the time they issued "Seventh House," so we are not dealing with flash-in-the pan amateurs here. To my ears this album is a pinnacle for them in a LONG career with some extraordinary highlights. It all comes together here--intelligent, meaningful lyrics with substantial depth and the STELLAR musicianship & songwriting these guys have long distinguished themselves by.
Every track has something rewarding to offer, but I'll confine my praise to the twin "tent-pole" tracks of this set, the titular track 3, "The Seventh House" and the sledgehammer closer, "Guiding Light." Both are in the grand tradition of progressive rock, big, long 10 minute plus statement tracks that once again re-establish IQ's bonafides as a creative force EASILY in the same rank as their big-time predecessors, Genesis, ELP, Pink Floyd, etc. Had IQ been recording during prog's brief commercial heyday, I have no doubt they would have vaulted to the same prominence as these heavyweights. Given IQ's limited commercial success, I think it's safe to conclude that only their passion for what they're doing keeps them in the game up to now.
-And lucky for us that they feel that way, because "The Seventh House" and "Guiding Light" are no less than masterpieces to my ears, Major Statement tracks that many bands can NEVER equal, but are tossed off with almost casual ease by a group of pros at the absolute top of their game. Thematically "The Seventh House" strikes me as singer Peter Nichol's attempt to surpass lyrically the folly-of-war theme struck so resonantly by his short-term replacement in the band Paul Menel on "Nomzamo" in that CD's closing track, "Common Ground." "Common Ground" is another classic, and I do not at all belittle it by praising both Nichols' ambition in trying to top it and my own perception of his success in that endeavor. I can't definitively interpret the lyrics, but clearly Nichols is aiming higher than Paul did on "Common Ground;" "Seventh House" considers not only the horror of the conflict but also its spiritual implications, not in a dogmatic sectarian sense, but in the elemental, "BIG" questions we all abandon because they're apparently unanswerable. How many musicians will even attempt such a thing anymore? Sample lyric: "For all their tomorrows, we gave our last todays." Brilliant! Brilliant!
No internet quickie review could possibly do "Guiding Light" justice. Here we have perhaps the ultimate closing track of all time, a both poignant and rousing examination of humanity, our interactions and somehow HOPE that can transcend the cycling of our human lives. A theme from "Seventh House" is reprised with spine-tingling power, and the track closes with the same beautiful piano/voice verse that opened, "I have always believed that somewhere in your heart, there's a guiding light still shines..."
Praise for the lyrical flights of Peter Nichol should not eclipse the AWE in which I hold the entire band. As composers and musicians, all of IQ is VERY well put together. I commend drummer & bassist Paul Cook/John Jowitt as a rythym section that can play some outrageously complex stuff with OUTSTANDING authority and dexterity. But I especially want to call your attention to the criminally overlooked guitarist Mike Holmes who wrenches some INCREDIBLY expressive howling leads from his Stratocaster during the big build-up section of "The Seventh House." Keyboardist Martin Orford is no less adept--pay special attention to his laser beam solo weaving through your brain in the midsection of "Seventh House" (after Peter's vocal, "I alone remained, no other soul was saved!"). I say this is luminous GENIUS of the highest order!
Nothing I can write can fully do "The Seventh House" justice. You simply need to hear it for yourself. IQ is a band which has for the most part toiled in obscurity, and when recognized at all has all too often been slagged by pygmies as "neo-progs" or "Genesis rip-offs." Artistry of this caliber deserves better. In all meaningful ways, I think IQ is a band that still hasn't found its audience; I encourage you as strongly as this forum will allow to give this recording (and band) a chance.
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spigomars
While this is not exactly New it is very relative. The music rocks just like the year 2000 was yesterday
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2015