IQ
Frequency

THE REVIEW

Five years after the splendid "Dark Matter", IQ return in 2009 with a new work titled "Frequency".

Although the sound does not present particular variations compared to the stylistic canons of their more recent works, the band manages to produce a well-crafted album, where the mannerism found in other current productions of the genre, including their record label "Inside Out," is not excessively felt. Two historical members of the band are not present in this work, namely drummer Paul Cook and keyboardist Martin Orford, replaced respectively by Andy Edwards and Mark Westworth. As is customary with their works, the Genesis-like influence is present in the seven tracks that make up "Frequency", especially in the keyboard passages; moreover, the vocal timbre of Peter Nicholss, as is well known, is very similar to that of Gabriel (however, not as similar as Fish's voice). The melodic parts created by the keyboard and guitar are the trademark of this work, especially in tracks like "Life Support" and "The Province". There is also the ballad "One Fatal Mistake" and some instrumental parts that recall Camel, as in "Stronger than Friction".

The album perhaps closes with the best part, "Closer". The theme of the album represents a sort of critique of so-called "Hackers" who illegally exploit satellites; the album cover itself, created by Tony Lythgoe, hints at this subject. Lythgoe has been the author of the band's artworks from 1997 to the present. It is therefore an album that will not disappoint the group's supporters, but it is also recommended for those who love these sounds, something already heard but at the same time pleasant and well-produced by a band that, along with Marillion and Pendragon (and several others), represents what is commonly referred to as "NeoProg" from the eighties to today.