A WORD IN YOUR EYE

This album has been a long time coming, over twenty years in fact. The Lens was the band where Mike Holmes and Martin Orford (and sometimes Peter Nicholls) first played together. Mike formed the band in 1976, with Martin joining in 1977. The band never recorded and broke up in 1981, with Mike and Martin forming a new band, called IQ.

Many IQ fans, myself included, have wondered what The Lens sounded like, as I was down in Devon when they were playing in London so never had the opportunity to hear them. This album is an attempt to put things right, although this is a new version with Mike providing all of the bass as well as guitar, Martin keyboards flute and the few vocals, and they are joined by Paul Cook on drums, with Tony Wright also providing the odd sax. Given that three of them are full-time members of IQ, and the other is often a guest for IQ, it is no surprise that at times they sound fairly similar. What must be remembered though is that IQ grew out of The Lens, not the other way around.

"Choosing A Farmer" is my particular fave, with some great guitar and interplay between the main protagonists while Cooky shows what a superb drummer he is. The album is mostly instrumental, although Martin does sing on "Childhood's End". This is an album that will be a huge hit with all IQ fans, but will appeal to all those who enjoy progressive rock. The songs all have purpose and although instrumental do not just meander through without meaning. A short history is provided in the booklet, and this is a release worth getting.

Originally appeared in Feedback #66, Feb 02