(Review from progarchives.com)

One of the pioneers of the British neo progressive scene, IQ is one of the few bands from the post-70s scene that superbly delivers a full symphonic, rich in emotion music. The outstanding vocals of Peter Nicholls give the band its trademark, but the keyboard arrangements from Martin Orford really add to the atmosphere here. Not enough, the guitar work from Mike Holmes completes the last essential ingredient of the band’s musicianship. The band is strongly influenced by (Gabriel era) Genesis, with a hard-edged and powerful sound.

When considering the “strict” period of neo-progressive (80s), the band’s second album, “Wake” is definitely a classic. Together with Marillion’s first albums, it helped define what neo-progressive was and generated dozens of sound-alike albums by as many bands.

Maintaining the essence originally approached in their debut and giving it enough impulse to create an even more special look, “Wake” is the simple concept of perfectioning the style, polishing the diamond.

“Wake” is the type of album that settles on a wonderful interpretation, with moments of pure ecstatic reflection, growing on the soul’s content and making no concern on the weight of things, well-balanced, well-organized in features and in manners. The wonderous climax in a short pill. Acknowledgement comes here in expression, in exceptional quality. Mood is given by the constant ideals. The complexity lies in the way such music can create so many emotions. “Wake” resembles subtility, refinement, ethereal movement, dreams that don’t collide often with reality, a form of music that demands just the keen affinity and the power of savor, passion and open-mind dynamics.

The pieces seem to sustain the unitary of the masterful thought. At the base of music, they mean beauty, appealingness and complete artistic speech.

The first three pieces, Outer Limits, The Wake, The Magic Roundabout, are top-notch, the first setting dimensions beyond imagination, the second-though easy as music-is a deadly charm and the third seeking an orientation towards shivering complexity and absolute chords. What follows are pieces that keep up the pace and certainly offer their share of unforgettable moments.

“Headlong” ends everything in a special great tone. The end is something that touches personal sensible chords. Anyway, summarization is hardly good at anything. The experience is unique.

Line-up:
- Paul Cook / drums and percussion
- Tim Essau / music man, basses & bass pedals
- Mike Holmes / guitars
- Peter Nicholls / voice, tambourine
- Martin Orford / keyboards
with
- Harun / ablas on “Corners”
- Dave Stewart / loan of the Sitar guitar

Track List:
01. Outer Limits – 8:14
02. The Wake – 4:11
03. The Magic Roundabout – 8:19
04. Corners – 6:19
05. Widow’s Peak – 9:13
06. The Thousand Days – 5:12
07. Headlong – 7:26
08. Dans Le Parc Du Chateau Noir (Bonus) – 7:38
09. The Thousand Days (Bonus Demo) – 3:56
10. The Magic Roundabout (Bonus Demo) – 6:27

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