Band : IQ
Album Title : Frequency
Label : Inside Out Music
Distributor : SPV - CNR
Release Date  : 17/05/2009
Review : CD

IQ were not a band I thought I'd enjoy. See, I'm not so much into all of these symphonic prog bands. I find Saga, Asia and Pallas to be rather mediocre, and the lastest of Marillion just bored me to tears. But I was totally wrong about the tenth album of this UK outfit..
The opening “Frequency” features jaw-dropping melodies and great guitarsoli, everything just sort of flows here. Together with the Porcupine Tree-like title track, “The province” might be my favorite song on here, with its charging tempo and headstrong, soulful vocal performance, not to mention some of the more complex guitar work on display. This album is powerful, moving, very melodic. It contains influences and elements of early days of prog and also new and modern elements. There are flourishes of progressive music throughout, odd meters, complex arrangements, etc. but they shade the album’s songs.  Yes there are a few passages here and there where the band pretty blatantly emulates Yes, Kansas and Genesis, but it is not to a point where it is what I would call a rip off. The vocals are easy on the ear and aren't the aquired taste that some prog vocalists are. So they don’t overplay and you get the clear sense that they are both confident and competent in their musical abilities.
IQ have created a very dreamy, beautiful and elegant symphonic sound, exquisitely crafted, with a full musical pallette.

92/100

Peter Brems.