IQ - Often Overlooked Album Contains Some Of The Band s Strongest Work - When people discuss the great IQ albums, this one is not necessarily one that always comes to mind. After the 2 disc concept album Subterranea the single disc, more focused, Seventh House sometimes seems to be overlooked. This is a more subtle IQ album, but it really grew on me with repeated listens, and I think it is an excellent piece of work. The album contains two bona fide IQ classics. The album closer Guiding Light is a great way to finish out the disc. The rhythm section of dummer Paul Cook and bass player John Jowitt really shine on this one, and Peter Nichols has composed some of his best lyrics here. The other really strong track is the title cut The Seventh House. The song almost seems to serve as a sequel to the song Common Ground from the Nomzamo album. Common Ground was written by Paul Menel, but Seventh House covers similar subject matter of old soldiers and enemies meeting up years after the conflict. It is truly a moving piece of music and as good as any single composition that IQ has done. The rest of the album is also strong, The Wrong Side Of Weird, Erosion, and Zero Hour are all patented IQ. The weakest track on the disc Shooting Angels is still a good one. Overall I think that this album appears to be somewhat looked over in the IQ catalogue, but it is well worth picking up if you like the band at all.
Pleasantly Surprised - I took a chance with this after hearing this band on XM satelite Radio channel 51 (XM Music Lab), They are quite talented, Somewhat like a mixture of mid seventies Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd. If you like Genesis or Yes, or any of the other countless progressive bands of the late sixties to the mid to late 80 s you should think of this Band when Selecting your next music Purchase.
Two words...Buy It! - I am a long-term IQ fan and finally own almost everything they have made to-date. I recommend this CD for anyone who wants to experience what IQ is like. This CD shows IQ at their finest and, at only six songs, is less daunting than the two-disk Subterranea. One word of caution, you have to want to hear a progressive rock band if you buy this CD, there are no catchy, three minute pop songs...the shortest track is 5:44. The Wrong Side of Weird, The Seventh House, and Guiding Light are classic 10 minute plus tracks with lots of rythm and tempo changes. Even the track I consider the weakest, Shooting Angels, is not a bad listen. The musicianship in IQ is always good, and this CD really shows them with their own identity now that they have moved beyond trying to emulate the Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. If you like progressive rock and want to experience IQ, buy this CD.
Only one song keeps this from being a 5 star album - I m not the biggest fan of what is commonly referred to as neo-prog, but IQ is the best band in this genre, and The Seventh House is their best album. Somehow this Genesis-caliber band has stayed together through the years, and they consistently put out very good music, played well, with interesting lyrics (and album covers!). There s a Lamb Lies Down feel to the opening of Wrong Side of Weird before it morphs into a Song Remains the Same riff. Some great moments on this opener, but it seems to lose its way halfway along. Not so with the title track, IQ s BEST composition ever with great lyrics, a soaring chorus, and great song development all the way through. I also love the fast section of Guiding Light with some showcase drumming. But what were they thinking with the sappy Shooting Angels? - the only thing that keeps me from giving this album 5 stars overall.I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd s rating was based on:Music quality = 8.3/10, Performance = 9/10, Production = 10/10, CD length = 10/10.Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 8.9 (4-1/2 stars)
Great album to discover - I have enjoyed this album very much, very good musicians and signer.No filler, only good neo-prog with great sound and production.Two thumbs up for IQ for this one.