THE WAKE

IQ takes a special place in proghistory because they were one of the few in the 80's (Marillion, Pallas + some less known) at least for where it concerns the neo prog and they had to keep prog alive. In the middle of these 80's they produced this album and though that was important I kept listening simply to the musical effort on itselve and judged the album critically. I wasn't very impressed. I compared it to Marillion which was better then to my opinion. I thought this was all a bit slow and not exactly compelling. Prog has to be compelling for me that's why I love it. If I would judge it now it would be even more critical, there is simply more material for comparison and the standard is getting higher and higher. I'm sorry I can't let sentimental reasons (the siginificance for progmusic in a difficult period) have the upper hand in me to come to the judgement for this album. I am going to be sober about it and have to give it 2 stars only.