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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have now lived with a pre-ordered copy of Dark Matter for several weeks. It's an album that sounds even better with each repeated listening. For IQ fans the sound and ambience closely matches, what was until now my favourite IQ album, EVER. However,
the band's collective and individual performances and writing seem to have reached a new peak. Nicholls singing, not always to everyones taste, is at its best and most accessable. Offords wall of keyboard sounds (mellotron, hammond, church organ) is simply awesome. Cook's drumming has a lighter more jazzy feel to it and Holmes' guitar work, particularly the acoustic work, is his best yet. Jowitts' base work combines wonderfully with Cook.
the band's collective and individual performances and writing seem to have reached a new peak. Nicholls singing, not always to everyones taste, is at its best and most accessable. Offords wall of keyboard sounds (mellotron, hammond, church organ) is simply awesome. Cook's drumming has a lighter more jazzy feel to it and Holmes' guitar work, particularly the acoustic work, is his best yet. Jowitts' base work combines wonderfully with Cook.
At times they do sound like early Genesis (and one track like Floyd), but simply because they use the same sound scapes, the songs are original and have that distinct IQ sound.
The albums absolute highlight is the epic Harvest of Souls, clocking in at 25 minutes there is not a dull moment. This epic contains four or five of IQ's best EVER melodies and has to be their best track to date. The album opener Sacred Sound has a very typical IQ feel to it and is another corker. Squeezed in between are three very interesting shorter tracks.
Highly recommended to all lovers of progressive rock and the outstanding album of 2004 so far.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I haven't heard a band of this calibre and with this degree of musical courage in a long time, what a delight it is to hear a band that both understands and embraces the true spirit of old school 70s progressive rock! The 'Genesis copyist' label I had heard associated with these chaps is a gross over simplification of their clear grasp of what makes great prog i.e. PASSION and GRANDEUR! Echoes (sic) of Floyd, Yes, Crimson, ELP, Camel, Greenslade and many others, drift in and out of the sounscape, and for me the effect is that of a deep appreciation of the tradition rather than plagiarism and mimicry, with all members blending their formidable skills to create a melodic, symphonic whole that celebrates the genre in all its glory, yet with a voice that is somehow all their own
From the sublime rising chords of opener Sacred Sound, through the darker moments of Red Dust Shadow and You Never Will, the casual arrogance of Born Brilliant (featuring some splendidly sinister slide guitar) and on to the grand finale of the epic Harvest Of Souls, the quality of this outfit is immediately apparent. The material has its sombre side, as the title indeed suggests, but the music remains uplifting throughout, and my only criticsm might be that Harvest Of Souls drags a little in places, but only a little.
Keyboard player Martin Orford in particular is worthy of high praise for opting for classic mellotron and Hammond-esque organ in keeping with the prog tradition. Conjuring the warm, rich tones and physical presence of Hugh Banton, the dynamic chord progressions and climactic intensity of Tony Banks, and the nimbled fingered dexterity and massive romantic expansiveness of Rick Wakeman, he provides the essential depth and dimensions necessary for any self-respecting prog album.
Peter Nichols has a clear and distinctive voice (with a touch of Geddy Lee sans the helium falsetto), and he handles the singing duties admirably. The rhythmn section of John Jowitt and Paul Cook propel the music along with both power and intricacy, moving with synchronised ease between the tricksy time changes, and guitarist Mike Holmes sets off the whole with bursts of soaring melody, swirling atmospherics and gritty, earthy slide work worthy of messrs Hackett, Gilmour or Howe.
All in all, a breathe of fresh air and stunning and accomplished piece of work in the field of modern prog. I truly hope that there is more to come!
From the sublime rising chords of opener Sacred Sound, through the darker moments of Red Dust Shadow and You Never Will, the casual arrogance of Born Brilliant (featuring some splendidly sinister slide guitar) and on to the grand finale of the epic Harvest Of Souls, the quality of this outfit is immediately apparent. The material has its sombre side, as the title indeed suggests, but the music remains uplifting throughout, and my only criticsm might be that Harvest Of Souls drags a little in places, but only a little.
Keyboard player Martin Orford in particular is worthy of high praise for opting for classic mellotron and Hammond-esque organ in keeping with the prog tradition. Conjuring the warm, rich tones and physical presence of Hugh Banton, the dynamic chord progressions and climactic intensity of Tony Banks, and the nimbled fingered dexterity and massive romantic expansiveness of Rick Wakeman, he provides the essential depth and dimensions necessary for any self-respecting prog album.
Peter Nichols has a clear and distinctive voice (with a touch of Geddy Lee sans the helium falsetto), and he handles the singing duties admirably. The rhythmn section of John Jowitt and Paul Cook propel the music along with both power and intricacy, moving with synchronised ease between the tricksy time changes, and guitarist Mike Holmes sets off the whole with bursts of soaring melody, swirling atmospherics and gritty, earthy slide work worthy of messrs Hackett, Gilmour or Howe.
All in all, a breathe of fresh air and stunning and accomplished piece of work in the field of modern prog. I truly hope that there is more to come!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As a child of the Yes/Genesis era, I have been somewhat dissapointed over the years, (living in the past?), with the offerings from the new wave of bands in this genre. However, when IQ came on the scene they produced music which was different to the norm, they had a distinct feel, their own sound. Dark Matter has grown on me, the more I play the more I like, so much so I would rate it as their best overall not quite 5* but not far off. Put it on, turn it up and enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Prog rock heaven!
Decided to give this one a punt on the strength of several favourable reviews here & elsewhere - suffice it to say that I'm glad I did! Read more
Published 9 months ago by G. McAdam
worth it for Harvest Of Souls on one side ....
The music on this album has already been discussed - what you're after here is the pleasure of getting the record out and there being one song on one side. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Cholmondeley
A recent discovery.....better late than never
Somehow, IQ has slipped beneath my radar..............
As a prog fan of at least 40 years standing, harking back to early Floyd, Yes, Genesis, etc, I had honestly never heard... Read more
As a prog fan of at least 40 years standing, harking back to early Floyd, Yes, Genesis, etc, I had honestly never heard... Read more
Published 17 months ago by BobM
Cosistently Exellent
As a recent convert to IQ, what impresses me most is the sheer consistency of their output. They manage to write songs with great integrity, the lyrics and vocals are top draw -... Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2009 by Peter Duff
Like a fine wine.
Rather like a vintage wine, IQ really have improved with age. At a time in their lives when they have achieved mellow maturity, this is reflected in their music; relaxed and... Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2008 by Baggiesfaninessex
A real prog treasure
Hard to top Zombie Woof's earlier review as he really says it all. I s'ppose my only footnote follows from his praise of keyboard maestro Martin Orford who shocked the bands... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2007 by M. J. Sexton
Intelligence Quotient High
In the words of the track "Born Brilliant" on this album IQ are to a certain extent "Pretentious and derivative, You've seen it all before" however what's wrong with a bit of that? Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2007 by A. J. Rabet
dark matter
this is the best prog album of the decade so far.iq's albums just get better and better since the return of vocalist peter nichols in the early 90's. Read more
Published on 30 July 2006 by A. Ledwith
What a find................Truly memorable 11/10
I am a fan of mainly the Floyd, but also of other music of that sort of era, Wishbone Ash, Alan Parsons,Yes,Genesis,Camel,Colosseum,Rare Bird, Van Der Graaf Generator etc to name... Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2005 by Mr. Simon Crawford
A classic of its genre
Not being a fan of IQ's previous material, I was surprised to find myself liking the track 'You Never Will' on a compilation CD. Read more
Published on 6 May 2005 by Growing old gracefully
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