FREQUENCY

It can sometimes be difficult to write reviews of albums by your favourite bands. However with Frequency I find this not to be a problem, and after 6 listenings I know this album like the back of my hand.

It's typical IQ as the band stick to what they do best, that is playing the symphonic progressive music that their fans love. However, in content the album is not one of their best, there are too many weak points for that. That is relative as IQ are responsible for some of the best prog albums of the last 25 years. Overall though, it is a fine album and in my opinion far superior to Dark Matter, which only had the incredible Sacred Sound as a high point.

The production on Frequency is great and vocally Nicholls has never been better. I do miss Martin Orford's keyboard playing to be honest. We'll have to wait until the next album to see how Westworth shapes up with material he has had more of a hand in writing. His contribution is a lot less emphasised than Orford's was. However the main point of note is the incredible drumming of Andy Edwards, I find his contribution stunning and without doubt the best percussive performance on any IQ album. He is now on hiatus and will be sorely missed by both IQ and Frost*.

Frequency - I love this. A brilliant opener, I can only describe this as a really typical IQ track, a comment which I consider a big compliment. IQ at their best and one of the best on the album.

Life Support - This has really grown on me. A shorter song which is very atmospheric. I love the proggy chorus. Another fine track.

Stronger Than Friction - This track was originally Crashed And Burned (featured on the bonus Frequency DVD) and I have to say I prefer the original. STF is a bit wimpy to start, but it's a really good song and the last five minutes as the band launch into the instrumental is truly outstanding.

One Fatal Mistake - The mistake was to include this on the album. A very quiet song, and whilst I appreciate a break is needed after the first 3 tracks, I'm not keen on this one.

Ryker Skies - Wow! How good is this? What a fantastic track. It's dark and doomy, very proggy and with a brilliant chorus. Destined to be an IQ classic and for me the best on the album.

The Province - The longest track on the album starts very promisingly and is building up really well. Then the band enter a Suppers Ready Apocalypse in 9/8ish sound-a-like section to echo the one they've already visited on Harvest Of Souls. The keyboard solo is pretty near the bone to be honest. This for me spoils an otherwise excellent track.

Closer - This is a really nice quieter song, but should have been a few minutes shorter.

So there are a few weaker points but on the whole it's a really good album. If the 9/8 keyboard solo on The Province was not there, this would be over 4 stars for me. I rate it at 3.75 stars, but I'll round up to 4, as I know many others will like the tracks that I'm not that keen on.

It's better than Dark Matter, but certainly not as good as The Seventh House or Subterranea in my opinion. An essential for IQ fans without a doubt.