Mellotronists

zappaboggs wrote:

 > I was wondering if anyone on the list had the opportunity to hear this 
album yet..  The reviews have certainly grabbed my attention, and I 
was/am? an IQ fan from "The Wake" daze...  Here is an example:
 >
 > "Innovation is a word that is not in the IQ dictionary. Dark Matter is 
simply a culmination of all the previous releases, the main difference 
lies in the extensive use of Mellotrons, Moogs and a Hammond organ which 
gives the album its distinctive classical sound. The band states that the 
attitude and aggression of the new cd is reminiscent of IQ\ufffds early days. 
This might be so, but the feel of the album is in my opinion more in the 
line of the title track of their previous album The Seventh House. Dark 
Matter is a little bit more melodic and is therefore a perfect album to 
get acquaintanced with the band. A small point of criticism is that the 24 
minute epic \ufffdHarvest Of Souls\ufffd, a great track in itself, is a bit 
dominating, especially considering the fact that the album features just 
over 52 minutes of music."


IQ played two tracks live at Baja Prog 2004, which suggested that the
record would be quite strong.  It is.  IMO "Dark Matter" is one of the
best albums IQ has ever done.  If you like unabashed top-drawer geneclone
get it immediately.  The last time Genesis made an album this good,
Hackett was still in the band.  The review is quite accurate IMO, the
album being more of the things that made Genesis a really good outfit --
back before the rot set in.  But don't for one minute think that there's
anything progressive here -- it's all stylistic Symphonic "P"rog with
a capital "P" (flonkus).  Which is fine...for what it is.  I don't have
any issue with the length of "Harvest Of Souls" in relationship to the
entire album, though IQ could certainly have added another 5 min piece
had they wanted to, and the record would still not have overstayed its
welcome at an hour in length.
-- 
Cheers,
SDM -- a 21st century schizoid man
internet music project: <www.soundclick.com/bands/9/systemstheory.htm>
NP: The Cult "Sonic Temple"