Search - IQ :: Seventh House

5 Stars are NOT ENOUGH!

Ryle Shermatz | Cedar Rapids, IA | 09/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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/Martin 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 Les Paul during the big build-up section of "The Seventh House." Keyboardist Martin Orford is no less adept, though it's perhaps one measure of this band's excellence that they forgo virtuoso instrumental soloing mostly in favor of showcasing their songwriting.



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."

TOTALLY UNDERRATED!

David Momberg | Chattanooga,TN | 04/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I can't believe that this CD has not been reviewed on this site yet, but it apparantely goes along with the fact that 1997's "Subterranea", and 2004's "Dark Matter" seem to get all the attention and praise from both critics and fans. Both of those are equally great efforts-but why this one seems to be lost in the middle, and labeled "not true to form" or up to their usual "high standards" is an amazement to me! This was the first IQ CD I bought, after hearing so much about them, and even though it might have taken a few more listens than the(other two forementioned)to win me over-it is possibly the most consistently satisfying to me now. For those of you that know nothing of this group-they are a five piece prog-rock band from England that have been around over 20 years with virtually the same line-up:Paul Cook-drums(who just left the group after 23 years),Michael Holmes-guitars,production;John Jovitt-bass,bgv's;Peter Nichols-Lead Vocals;and Martin Orford-keyboards,bgv's,production. The most has been writen about Orford-maybe because of the overall keyboard-driven sound, and the obvious Early Genesis influences, and Peter Nicholls does sound a little like a young Peter Gabriel at times-but this band is much more than a Genesis wannabee!!!!!They are 5 super-talented musicians, and most of all-great writers!!!Peter Nicolls' lyrics are most often vague, but never silly-and always spiritural in nature, and mostly positive. This is a classic Neo-Prog band-well versed in the PROG super-groups of the 70's, but with a unique and modern sound that will appeal to all serious rock fans. This is the band I had hoped Marillion would be-but that never materialized for me.For those that always wanted Steve Hackett to come out to the forefront more in Genesis-this band is for you!!! Back to this album-The first song starts out with a "Lamb lies down on Broadway" sounding synth-segueing into the tight rhythm section of Cook/Jowitt. This song meanders a little in the mid-section, and maybe is a little over-long at 12:24, but overall is solid, and showcase all 5's talents well. Next is "Erosion"-one of many recurrent lyrics on broken relationships-that works very well for me-an emotional and tense, shorter(not a ballad though)song.The title song is next and it is the perfect example while one in one IQ review I read-the reviewer stated that "They write infectious melodies that true fans will be humming and feeling like they've none these songs all their lives-after 2 or 3 listens! It is beautifully constructed-never a dull moment-and you'll never believe it's 14min. long. A true neo-prog mini-epic up there with anything from The Flower Kings,Spock's Beard,Marillion,etc. Next is "Zero Hour"-another shorter, but very clever song-a little harder-edged,great lyric. "Shooting Angels" hits and misses, but still not enough to bring this review down from a 5! And the closer"Guiding Light" is just plain beautiful-and the best closing song of the 4 IQ CD's I've heard!This has to be the most UNDERRATED CD from the most UNDERRATED PROG band ever!!!A must for all serious music lovers!Check it out!!!"

The Best IQ CD Yet!

Professor Prog | Seattle, WA | 12/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Remember Wind and Wuthering and Trick of the Tail? All you Genesis fans that miss the old days of Peter Gabriel singing, and Steve Hackett playing guitars welcome! You have found your home.



This CD, Seventh House, rivals the two mentioned Genesis albums and has been followed up by a very strong new album Dark Matter. This group is right where Genesis was at the end of the 70's. I don't think they will go over the edge like their heroes. They are alive and well and hitting on all cylinders. Don't miss this moment in time! It may not come again.



If you miss hearing Peter Gabriel's vocals and Steve Hackett's guitars, you will be right at home with IQ. In fact their lead singer's name is Peter, and he looks and sings allot like a young Peter Gabriel.



The Seventh House begins with an engaging synthesizer charged opening number which is reminiscent of "Cinema Show". But from there the comparison ends. This band launches into a drum and guitar romp soon followed by the vocals of Peter Nichols. You immediately recognize the past but also begin to know that you have found something quite new. This band is tighter and performing in a way that even the masters would be hard pressed to duplicate.



"The Seventh House" is going to be on your new list of favorite songs. If you are not a band fan member by the album title song, then "Guiding Light" will make certain you are a fan. But "Zero Hour" and "Shooting Angels" are no fillers. They stand up on their own.



This is not some new group trying to find their way through old Genesis rifts. It is a band that has its own identity and power. Guitars are matched with drums in a way that must make Hackett and Collins wish they had found it first. But the "guide vocal" is there, powerful and reminiscent of what used to be. But it is even stronger than Gabriel because of modern technology's ability to separate sounds.



The "Wrong Side of Weird" opens the CD and it is one of the best songs on the CD. So you start near the top. Erosion is the second song, and you will compare it to a thousand Genesis songs. But you will never find one exactly like it. And that is the point.



This is the band that Genesis could have become if Gabriel and Hackett had stayed. If there ever is a Genesis reunion album, it will have to be compared to whatever IQ produces. I doubt it will match this or any new album IQ produces.



This band has evolved and is continuing to evolve their sound. Yes, it sounds reminiscent of Genesis. But it has gone beyond what the masters were able to accomplish. IQ is what we were all waiting for from Genesis.



The band's name is a perfect summation of what we were looking for in Genesis, intelligence. Rejoice Genesis fans, for now we have Intelligence Quotient!



Mark

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