The SkipFish Playlist (Song 8)

There’s dispute over when the birth of rock and roll actually took place. It’s hard to pin down since it’s more of something that has evolved than an actual “birth”. Coming from elements in American blues to strains of folk music that became electrified. Add in the bebop freeform of Miles Davis and the swiveling hips of performers like Elvis Presley, and you have yourself something new. Rock has always evolved, changed, grown, and split into countless sub genres. It goes without saying though that the one genre that has always been disrespected is progressive rock. I love prog. Whoever said I was cool?

Bands like Genesis, Yes, ELP, and King Crimson all have players that are brilliant. They are all British…but I think that is a side note. These artists took from the standard “rock” field and added in all of those subtle bits to create what I feel is a melting pot of style and creativity. Expansive ideas and sometimes silly concepts all packaged in a form that has to be huge. It’s the only way you can fit it all in.

I have also always had a great affection for British music. It’s brutally clear even since I relaunched this site what an uber Beatles geek I am. My appreciation for Brit music runs much deeper than just the Fab Four though. I also have a huge appreciation for the progressive rock field. I think what draws me in is the way that not only can most prog bands write interesting melodies with colorful time signatures and soundscapes, but also most can play the snot out of their given instruments. It’s sort of a respect thing for being so great at playing an instrument. Almost like…I surrender…I will never be that good.

At other times prog bands can do some of the most subtle and simple things that have an equally intriguing aspect to them. Simple chords fluttering can somehow be as hypnotic as some massive note fest that is played. One only needs to listen to the simple and powerful grace of Richard Wright’s keyboard on Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” to know what I mean. It’s simple, yet not. Almost like there is much more going on below the surface than you hear on the first go round.

During a recent venture out onto the interwebs, I happened to do a bit of research. I was looking and poking around hoping to find a “new” band. “New” to me does not always mean 2011. Matter of fact it would be even better if I discover a band that already has solid catalog to music. That way I can discover them without having to wait around for years before I hear something new. I would already have a built in backlog of goodies to uncover. Needless to say…this sort of thing doesn’t happen too often these days. Nonetheless…I seek out stuff in hopes of finding the next big thing. Plus it makes it more fun if I discover it and pass it along to my musical kin. This track represents one such wonderful find. Proggy goodness.

Frequency

Since I am a North American boy, I hadn’t really heard much from the English band IQ. I think I probably passed over the name a time or two in some random article about prog music, but it never seemed to amount to too much. For some reason this time…it did, and I’m glad. I’m slowly discovering a band that not only has a backlog of albums for me to unearth, but a band that so far hasn’t made me cringe and run for the hills. That happens sometimes when I have tried this research. Those moments when I realize that there was a very valid reason why I overlooked this stuff the first time around. (I am looking at you Saga.)

So if you look at ALL the music that has come before under the “rock” heading combine that with the fact that music has splintered out into so many different nooks and crannies, it seems inevitable that when you find something you end up comparing it to something else. Prog is a lot like that for me. Since I have a working knowledge of bands under this particular umbrella, I find myself comparing them to various other bands. You know…”they sound like so and so meets so and so”. Comparisons to bands like Yes and Genesis are bound to happen. If they feature keyboards…it could be ELP or even Pink Floyd. If it is acoustic based…Jethro Tull. And so forth and so on…

IQ has elements that most closely resemble early to mid period Genesis for me. Vocalist Peter Nicholls is very similar to Peter Gabriel. He has that slight rasp in his voice that creeps up on the notes. He has a style that sort of lurks about. It never feels like he is singing full on, but it comes across with much emotion and dynamic. The keyboards color the songs in a very Floyd like way, yet they also resemble Genesis or their cousin band Marillion. The drums stutter and pop, but they don’t dominate like a Dream Theater or Rush style band. The chord changes border on pop, but they also conatin twists ala King Crimson. I guess that’s why I like prog so much. It’s hard to descibe, but you know you like it when you hear it.

I was torn as to what song from the band to include on this playlist. I have since latched onto several IQ albums. I am a novice when it comes to descibing deep elements within the band and its overall sound. Since they are somewhat new to me, I don’t feel I have properly earned my “fan” badge yet. I can safely say though…what I have come across is quite good. This track from their 2010 album FREQUENCY is the lead off. The entire album is equal parts mellow and power. At times it feels like it is simple, yet you hear all sorts of things bubbling beneath the surface. It all loops back to that.

I hope in time I shall learn more about this band. It’s too bad that many people probaly have no clue who they are. It is far from metal. It is far from wallpaper music either. It is music that makes you think a bit. It is something that requires the listener to pay attention. Most people don’t invest that kind of effort into music. So I fear this sort of stuff will continue to be bypassed. Sigh…

Yet I hope that by swerving a bit off the beaten path with this song selection…I might interest the few of you that follow this to dig a little deeper. I was captured by this band. They can play, but they don’t beat me over the head with their virtuiosity. They stop to bother to write good songs. It feels coherent and full. I see myself becoming more of a fan of this band. Too bad I am late to the party. I feel I missed a lot of great stuff, but I have time to catch up now I guess. I think it fits well sitting side by side with the other tracks I have selected thus far on the playlist.

It requires me to listen. It requires me to think. That’s what they mean by IQ. To me anyway…

Frequency - IQ