FREQUENCY

IQ is a band that I usually like. I've seen them live three times of which the last show took place at the Spirit of 66 in my country (April 26). I was then able to get a preview of this album (with Paul Cook on the drum kit!).

During this concert, two new tracks were definitely outstanding from this offering: the opener and title track as well as the long ''The Province''. And while I listened to the album for the first time, I got the confirmation.

And this is a bit my problem with ''Frequency''. I would say that this is a typical ''IQ'' album. Same fine but melancholic Nicholls, same keyboards-oriented music (I know Martin is gone and difficult to be replaced but Mark is a very good key player as well and a charming person: I had a short talk about Grey Lady Down after the show). Some nice and emotional guitar breaks to fulfil the job (the one from ''The Province'' is really excellent) .

''Frequency'' is a pleasant neo-prog album but it lacks in diversity (like several IQ albums). I was more charmed by ''Dark Matter'' and their first two albums to be honest (all of them rated with four stars).

This one belongs more to the good works they have released during their long career. Not a single weak track that's for sure although the repetitive ''Closer'' (the well-named closing number) is not the best of their repertoire to be honest and could have been shorter. But on the other hand, only two great songs.

Three stars.