THE SEVENTH HOUSE

"The Seventh House" by IQ is their best (of the ones that I own at least).

I'll start this out with the disclaimer, this was my introductory IQ disc, as I've learned since, you can probably start with any one of their five last CD's and get the same impression 'this is the greatest IQ CD ever'. The problem is that they all, unfortunately begin to sound the same. As I progress, the second and third IQ CD's that I picked up will get four stars, then the fourth and fifth get three or two stars. Many of the songs sound the same.

But, I'm reviewing "The Seventh House", and I chose this one to start with as, well, I've had it the longest.

Martin Orford's keyboards start the CD out with a shrill patch that makes you sit up and grin, well, it made me sit up and grin. Shortly there after, Peter Nichols angelic voice cuts through Mike Holmes' clean guitar producing the tell tale wall of sound that I've come to love and starting the album out rocking.

"Erosion" is an atmospheric piece beautiful and haunting at first, followed by a cacophony of music before revisiting the initial bit again. Peter Nichols shines throughout this song.

"The Seventh House" is my all time favorite IQ song, it's the song that you'd like to hear Genesis do if they were still recording prog. The intro is complete with a beautiful twelve string bit. Again, Peter Nichols voice shines over the guitar and Orford's backing synths. After the intro Jowett and Cook crash in along with a heavier Holmes for a brief instrumental segue before a haunting run again featuring the twelve string and Nichols. I could go on and describe every bit of the song, but really, I'm doing it a disservice, go out and buy the CD and listen to the song. Martin Orford has a beautiful solo in here and the final minutes of the song is one of the most epic IQ endings ever.

"Zero Hour" is absolutely beautiful, especially the keyboard themes in the middle of the song. Everything drops out but the gentle chords of Martin Orford's wizardry giving you a preview of "Guiding Light".

"Shooting Angels" brings up my only criticism of the album, after a heavenly keyboard intro, the drums trip into the song sounding like something your drunken cousin programmed on his Casio. I guess this makes a certain amount of sense, if they're emulating Genesis, there's bound to be a reference to the "Home by the Sea" drums.

"Guiding Light" is a hauntingly beautiful piece about missed opportunities for love; something that most of us have experienced at some point in our life. The entire band shines for this song. It starts with a typical enough run and Peter Nichols, shining as usual. The instrumental section features a beautiful series of solos by Misters Holmes and Orford. Not to be missed. Once the solos fade away, Nichols rejoins the band for a quick bridge and an epic bit of noodling. Out of nowhere the band drops out leaving only Nichols and Orford revisiting the opening melody of the song. Nichols shines through here, crystal clear and hauntingly beautiful. Then, suddenly, almost unexpectedly, it's over, the musical bit, the song, the whole album. The ending is perfect, it leaves you wanting more, yet satisfied with what you have.

"The Seventh House" by IQ gets a solid five star rating from me.

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