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IQ - The Wake CD (album) cover

THE WAKE

IQ

 

Neo-Prog

3.79 | 671 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars 4.5 stars. A record about death but it's not as dark and moody as one would think. This is without a doubt one of IQ's best albums. It's also the first IQ record I ever listened to.

It's pretty cool that the theme in the first song "Outer Limits" can be heard in the final song "Headlong". Four of the seven songs have mellotron provided by Mr.Orford, who also supplies us with moog, synths, flute and keyboards. "Outer Limits" begins with an ominous bass line coupled with synths until we hear the amazing vocals of Peter Nicholls. A steady beat with lots of mellotron follows. I really like the synths 3 1/2 minutes in. Nice guitar after 6 1/2 minute too. "The Wake" has some terrific drums and keyboards, along with mellotron and some splendid guitar.The intro is so powerful. Check out the guitar after 2 minutes.This song blends into "The Magic Roundabout" which opens with a powerful atmosphere and lots of synths. It kicks in before 2 minutes. It settles 3 minutes in, it's such a beautiful section as Peter comes in vocally. I also like when we get a calm 6 1/2 minutes in and the gorgeous guitar that follows. "Corners" opens with percussion and drums as synths then reserved vocals come into this laid back tune.

"Widow's Peak" has lots of time changes, and I just love the sound of this song. It opens with some atmosphere before kicking in around 1 1/2 minutes with mellotron. When the vocals come in i'm smiling. God bless Peter Nicholls ! I really like when it settles 2 1/2 minutes in. Great section ! It kicks back in with guitar leading the way. Paul's beating the hell out of his drumkit here. Another calm 4 1/2 minutes in before kicking back in around 6 minutes with vocals. Beautiful guitar solo 8 minutes in. What a song ! "Thousand Days" might be my favourite. It's so moving for me, just an uplifting and emotional track really. It has a spacey ending. "Headlong" features fragile vocals and mellotron comes in before a minute. It starts to build after 2 minutes. Incredible ! It settles again 3 1/2 minutes in then a minute later we get that familiar and uplifting melody. I have to mention the bonus track called "Dans Le Parc Du Chateau Noir". This song is simply an amazing addition to this album. Mellow to start before kicking in after a minute. A powerful soundscape before 3 minutes. No melody just waves of synths. A guitar melody comes out of it and leads the way.

This is one of my favourite IQ records and I highly recommend it.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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