A Quest for Prog 25: IQ – Ever

"A Quest for Prog" is a series of 50 Progressive Rock reviews to be written over a year.  The band selection is taken from the book in the first post on this blog.  And the albums I am reviewing is based on the highest user ratings for each band on Progarchives.com.


IQ – Ever (1993)
Produced by Mike Holmes


John Jowitt - Bass, Pedalboard [Moog Taurus Bass Pedals] & Backing Vocals 
Paul Cook - Drums 
Martin Orford - Keyboards, Mellotron, Synthesizer, Flute & Backing Vocals 
Mike Holmes - Guitar 
Peter Nicholls - Vocals 


Track listing:
01. The Darkest Hour (10:52)
02. Fading Senses (6:36)
      i. After All
      ii.Fading Senses
03. Out Of Nowhere (5:10)
04. Further Away (14:31)
05. Leap Of Faith (7:22)
06. Came Down (5:56)


Released in 1993 “Ever” is the sixth album by English band IQ.  The band was formed by Mike Holmes and Martin Oxford in 1981.  The band along with Marillion, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Pallas, Quasar and Solstice the were part of the Neo-Progressive movement which was accused of simply copying other bands styles.  The band is still active and recently celebrated their 30th anniversary.

The album begins with the 11 minute long “The Darkest Hour”.  The song is and upbeat and technical song that sounds like a mix of Dream Theater and Joe Satriani.  Production wise this song is very similar to allot of Progressive Rock records in the early 90’s with a few 80’s tracks thrown in.  The vocals are decent but are fairly bland.  Van Hagar fans might get something out of this song.  The song drags and lost any interest closer to the end. 

The two part “Fading Senses” begins with the Power Ballad “After All” section.  The track starts with some nice keyboards and guitar before moving in to a very dull Radio song.  That being said the vocals are stronger on this track.  Part two “Fading Senses” is slightly heavier with a mix of Sci-fi and funk.  This part is a bit more interesting with a darker feel to it but is still fairly dull.

The tone of the record continues with the Stadium Rock track “Out Of Nowhere”.  This is a plodding MOR song that fit’s in line with 80’s Yes.  The song has a few interesting movements with the tracking jumping around.  The vocals and the lyrics are pretty terrible on this one.

The longest song on the album “Further Away” follows.  This intro to this song has the most interesting instrumentation of any song on this album.  Beginning with a rolling keyboard line and flutes stylistically this section similar to Simon and Garfunkel.  Unfortunately after 3 minutes the song moves into familiar territory.  The track is heavier than previous tunes and has allot more energy and quite a nice groove.  The keyboards have a Sci-Fi feel and for some reason this song reminded me of Peter Gabriel musically.  They keyboard solo is pretty terrible and beyond this point the song slows and get very dull.  A few interesting moments that could have been whittled down into a few short songs but not a 14 minute track. 

In what could only be an 80’s Ballad “Leap Of Faith” follows.  There is so much contrived emotion on this track.  Not much more to say about this one than dull.

The album finishes on “Came Down”.  This track is a very straight forward MOR Radio song.  The technicality of earlier songs is completely missing here.  This is as bland as it comes. 

This album was such a dull experience to get through and write about that maybe this review should be on a white background with white writing.  This album delivered so little to me and seems like some talented musicians attempting to travel the road paved with gold and I gather failing.

1/10

The Weezer Cruise Day 4 & 5 - Carnival Destiny 22-23 January 2012

Day 4 22nd January 2012 (Sea Day)

Today was the last full day on the Cruise and the last day of activites.  We gave Scott’s vow renewal a miss so our first show of the day was Yuck on the Lido Deck.  Yuck are quite different to every other band on this bill with a Shoegazer/Pavement feel.  Seeing pasty English folk standing on an open stage on a Cruise ship was amusing but they put on a good show.  There songs are understated and have a breezy feel to them but they also quite likes some noise.  It’s an interesting mix that got people dancing.

Yuck Setlist:
TBA

Nervous Wreckords followed a little later on the Lido Deck.  Bands like Nervous Wreckords come and go on a regular basis.  The band is essentially a 70’s rock throwback with stomping riffs and soloing.  There is allot of charisma and allot of confidence in the band but I wouldn’t run out and buy an album or see them on their own.  One thing I would say is that they have a phenomenal drummer that any band looking for a drummer should seriously look at stealing this guy.  

Nervous Wreckords Setlist:
TBA

The Cruise photo and Weezer Q&A followed.  The Q&A for the most part was very light and didn’t really get allot of a response from the band.  The band did try and give as much as they could but the questions didn’t give them much to go on.  In comparison to River’s Pinkerton Diaries Q&A which had no screening and more interesting questions it seemed like a missed opportunity.

Wavves on the Casino Stage followed.  Wavves are getting alot of buzz in Australia so even though I hadn’t heard much from them I wanted to check them out.  Wavves are quite fun but very one note in the same way that Jay Reatard was but not nearly as interesting.  Vocalist and guitarist Nathan Williams is writing some nice enough tunes but still has some growing up to do.  There is a problem that some bands suffer where they need to know their limits and for Wavves 30 minutes is plenty after which things start to drag. 

Wavves Setlist:
TBA

After dinner I went and checked out Keepaway at the Criterion Lounge.  This band is quite an odd arrangement with a drummer using his floor tom in place of a bass drum and playing over programmed drum beats.  The other two members cover the guitars and keyboards.  The best way to describe the band are an indie Police.  A strange mix of Reggae, Drum & Bass and Indie Guitar music.  Their sound didn’t do alot for me but it was certainly interesting and I wouldn’t write this band off right now.   

Keepaway Setlist:
TBA

The hardest working man on the ship Lou Barlow's 7th and final set of the Cruise was with Sebadoh at the Palladium Lounge.  Playing a very similar set to the Lido Deck show but in a much nicer venue.  Lou had some trouble at the start of the set with a particularly noisy guitar amp.  He struggled through his songs with the quieter moments being drowned out by buzz.  Ironically the problem was fixed by the time Jason moved to guitar for his first set of noisy punk tunes.  The band seemed allot looser and seemed to happy to go with the flow not letting Jason’s Guitar and Bass breakages phase them.  Another great set.

Sebadoh Setlist:
Too Pure
On Fire
Skull
Rebound
Ocean
Magnet's Coil
S. Soup
Mind Reader
Got It
Love To Fight
Drag Down
The Freed Pig
Licence to Confuse
Sister
Drama Mine
Crystal Gypsy
Careful
Bird in the Hand
Soul And Fire
Not A Friend
Beauty of the Ride
Sixteen
Give Up
New Worship
Brand New Love

Ozma were the final band on the cruise and a band I still hadn’t seen so it was off to the Criterion Lounge.  Prior to this cruise I had no idea who Ozma were and what they sounded like.  I quickly realized after conversations on the ship that they held a certain place in a generation’s heart in this country.  The faithful were out for this last show and emoted, swayed and jumped along to the set.  I’m not sure if I missed something but for me the band where pretty light indie pop.  The material went from strong angular power pop tunes to some dull first generation emo tunes (I’m talking Emo Diaries not My Chemical Romance here).  The band finished off their set with a solid cover of The Rentals Friend's of P which for me was a really interesting way to finish off a Weezer Cruise. 

Ozma Setlist:
TBA

Then it was back to the room to back and get some sleep before our departure in Miami the following morning.

Day 5 23rd January 2012 (Last Morning - Miami, Florida)

It’s always a risk when you wait a long time to see a band.  Chances are they wont live up to expectations but thankfully Weezer delivered the goods.  Along with the other bands on the bill this was a fantastic experience and there was a tinge of sadness as we left the ship.  This Cruise had been a real treat and well worth the distance travelled to get to Miami. 
I have to say that Sixthman did a fantastic job to put together an event that really made sure everyone had a great time and wasn’t just about making a buck.

The Weezer Cruise Day 3 - Carnival Destiny 21 January 2012

Day 3 21^st January 2012 (Cozumel, Mexico)

Today was our stop in Cozumel, Mexico.  From 7am until 6pm we were free to explore the area on organized excursions or on our own.  We took a trip to Passion Island for some time on the beach. 

Tequila was drunk, corn chips and guacamole were eaten before we reboarded the ship for our trip back to Miami. 

Dinosaur Jr played the sail away show on this leg of the trip.  I took ear plugs along even though this was outside on the Lido Deck and I’m glad I did.  The amount of makeshift ear plugs by staff and punters was astounding and quite amusing.  Even more amusing was the guy who kept asking for J to turn his guitar up.  The band seemed much more relaxed compared to their previous show.  Even cracking jokes at each other and the crowd.  The set was similar to the Palladium Lounge show but featured an amazing version of Mountain Man.  Probably the greatest moment of the set was during this song when the captain blew the boats horn as we left port.  Possibly the only thing louder than Dinosaur Jr but it somehow it fit.  

Dinosaur Jr Setlist:

TBA

After heading to the dining room for some dinner we decided to visit the Box Office to see if there was any way we could get tickets to the second Palladium show.  We hadn’t been lucky enough to get tickets to the second Weezer Palladium show but thought that we would try our luck.  At the box office we had a chat with the Sixthman representative who said “you’re a long way from home” and looked through a stack of tickets.  He said “unfortunately there are no extra tickets to the show” as he slyly handed us tickets to the second Palladium show!  Thank you Sixthman!  We headed back to our room on a high and to get ready for our 3^rd Weezer show in as many days.

For this Weezer show at the Palladium Lounge we were upstairs second row from the balcony with a fantastic view of the band.  Rivers pre game/show ritual was followed with a kick around on stage (this time in a sleeveless Kiss Animalize shirt!).  Again the set was a mix of Singes, album tracks and b-sides.  The three b-sides, Devotion, Susanne and You Gave Your Love To Me Softly, sorely missed from the first Pinkerton shows were given a airing at this show.  All were fantastic especially Susanne.  Memories and Trippin’ Down The Freeway were allot of fun live and much better in a live setting.  Pat sang a version of Frank Blacks Los Angeles which was cool and was a real surprise.  Don’t Let Go was good but like every live version I have heard didn’t really did the mark live.  Tragic Girl was given another outing and was much better at this show.  The Greatest Man That Ever Lived ended the this part of the set and was epic.  I’ve always had a soft spot for this song so it was great to see it live. Karl’s Intermission slideshow was slightly different from the previous night and we waited to experience Pinkerton again.   

Pinkerton was fantastic again but seemed a bit looser at this show.  Maybe the day in the sun made the band slightly forgettable with Rivers for getting the first line of Getchoo and stopping to ask the audience what it was.  Then Brian forgetting that Across The Sea required his keyboard skills on the intro.  Tired of Sex and Falling for You were stronger tonight.  Again we had a blast!  Thank you Sixthman you made our Cruise.  

Setlist:

Memories

Devotion

Susanne

Trippin' Down The Freeway

Los Angeles

Longtime Sunshine

You Gave Your Love to Me Softly

Don't Let Go

Tragic Girl

The Greatest Man That Ever Lived

“Pinkerton”

Tired of Sex

Getchoo

No Other One

Why Bother?

Across the Sea

The Good Life

El Scorcho

Pink Triangle

Falling for You

Butterfly

We gave Wavves a quick look but they started late and were stuffing around a bit so we headed to bed as we would catch them tomorrow.