The Neo-Progressive movement
IQ were one of a small number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Pallas, and Quasar that continued with the progressive rock style forsaken by 1970s bands such as Genesis and Yes. The music press coined the phrase neo-progressive to describe these bands, often accusing them of simply copying the styles of other bands. This accusation has been strenuously denied by IQ, which are against of the use of the term "neo progressive"and claim to have a wide-ranging and eclectic selection of musical influences.
The line-up
From 1982, the line-up consisted of Peter Nicholls (vocals), Mike Holmes (guitar), Martin Orford (keyboards), Paul Cook (drums), and Tim Esau (bass). Nicholls left in 1984 to form a new band, Niadem's Ghost, and was replaced by Paul (P. L.) Menel, but subsequently returned in 1990. Nicholls also created the cover art for most of the albums on which he appears. In early 2005 member Paul Cook left the band, and was replaced on drums by Andy Edwards. On 20 July 2007 Martin Orford announced he was leaving IQ and was replaced by Mark Westworth from prog-rock band Darwin's Radio. Despite his departure, Martin continues to run the band's label GEP and is still closely involved with the band, although he announced in late 2008 that he will leave the music business entirely and hand over the reins of GEP to someone else (as yet unnamed) in early 2009.
Musical style
The band's musical style, especially earlier in their career, was reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett era Genesis because of singer Peter Nicholls' vocal and stage-presence similarities to Gabriel and keyboardist Martin Orford's grandiose keyboarding. However, guitarist Mike Holmes' role was far more assertive in the band, giving them a harder edge musically. After Nicholls' departure, the band's style became increasingly commercial and radio-friendly - albeit without much success - on Nomzamo (1987) and Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989), although each album still featured some progressive rock-style tracks. Beginning with Nicholls's return on 1993's Ever, the band returned to its prog rock roots, with longer tracks featuring intricate arrangements and complex musicianship.
Band members
Current members
Peter Nicholls – vocals, backing vocals (1981–1986, 1993–)
Mike Holmes – guitars (1981–)
Paul Cook – drums (1982–2005, 2009–)
John Jowitt – bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–)
Mark Westworth – keyboards (2008–)
[edit] Former members
Martin Orford – keyboards, backing vocals (1981–2007)
Paul (P.L.) Menel – vocals (1986–1990)
Tim Esau – bass guitar (1981–1990)
Les 'Ledge' Marshall – bass guitar (1990)
Mark Ridout – drums (1981–1982)
Andy Edwards – drums (2006–2008)
Discography
Albums
Seven Stories into Eight (cassette) (1982)
Tales from the Lush Attic (1983)
The Wake (1985)
Nomzamo (1987)
Are You Sitting Comfortably? (1989)
Ever (1993)
Subterranea (1997)
The Seventh House (2000)
Dark Matter (2004)
Frequency (2009)
Live Albums
Living Proof (live) (1986)
J'ai Pollette D'arnu (1991) (b-sides and live tracks)
Forever Live (1996)
Subterranea : The Concert (2000)
The Archive Collection: IQ20 (2003) ("official bootleg" of live concert)
Compilations
Nine in a Pond is Here (1985) ("official bootleg" of demos etc, CD version is abridged)
Seven Stories into Ninety Eight (1998) (original 1982 album plus new re-recorded version)
1. Capital Letters (In Surgical Spirit Land) 2. About Lake Five 3. Intelligence Quotient 4. For Christ's Sake 5. Barbell Is In 6. Fascination 7. For The Taking 8. It All Stops Here 9. Eloko Bella Neechi
The Lost Attic (1999) (rarities)
Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 1 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
Limited edition Frequency Tour CD 2 (2008) (rarities and live tracks)
[edit] Videos
Forever Live (VHS/CD set 1996, DVD set 2007)
Subterranea : The Concert (DVD, 2000)
IQ20 - The Twentieth Anniversary Show (VHS 2000, DVD 2004)
Live From London (DVD, recorded 13 May 1985 in London, 2005)
IQ Stage (DVD, 2006)
Capricorn
I.Q. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They come a-crawling to offer shelter, to haul me in
Without a needlepoint in the light
And the steel to still your tongue
The night hides a multitude of uncovered sins
The heart beating in Capricorn, I take on a guise
They wont define my anytime in the English rain
With no movement, undiscovered, I lie in wait
So what if you're sentimental
And I'm out of tears, out of sympathy?
I'll make it look accidental
And I'll leave no sign to say your life was mine
No-one I carried just the same
Thinner than most sinners and saints alive
Dare you speak my name?
So what if you're temperamental
And I'm out of tears, out of sympathy?
So what if I'm elemental
The lyrics to I.Q.'s song Capricorn describe a person who is hiding from their sins in the shadows of a square. They depict the idea of finding refuge in the night and trying to conceal oneself from the reality of the day's occurrences. Capricorn, the zodiac sign, is reiterated throughout the song as being indicative of a certain steadfastness, loyalty, and the ability to wait for the right moment. This seems to be juxtaposed with and contrasted against the idea of the nighttime and the sins that are hidden in the darkness that are inescapable.
The lines "So what if you're sentimental, And I'm out of tears, out of sympathy?" and "So what if I'm elemental", suggest that the singer of the song is trying to distance themselves from the emotions and experiences of others, and their own emotions. They are depicted as having a certain detachment and coldness, as they are not moved by sentimentality, sympathy, or even empathy. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in some form of pain, but they are not willing to show it or share it with others, reinforcing the theme of hiding and concealing oneself.
Overall, the song seems to describe a person who is hiding from their reality, concealing themselves from the world and its emotions as they wait for the right moment to act. The song seems to suggest that the singer is in pain but is unwilling to show it or share it with others, distancing themselves from emotions and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
The shadows fill the corners across the square
The dark corners of the square are filling up with shadows.
They come a-crawling to offer shelter, to haul me in
The shadows crawl towards me, offering to take me in and give me shelter.
Without a needlepoint in the light
In a place without any apparent hope or clarity.
And the steel to still your tongue
By using my strength and resistance, I will silence you.
The night hides a multitude of uncovered sins
In the darkness, we may easily conceal our wrongdoings.
The heart beating in Capricorn, I take on a guise
The underlying characteristics of Capricorn allow me to become someone else.
They wont define my anytime in the English rain
Others will not be able to order my actions during rainy English weather.
Will I feel an automatic release from all this pain?
Is there a chance to restore positive feelings and thoughts?
With no movement, undiscovered, I lie in wait
I'm still and waiting for the right moment without drawing attention.
So what if you're sentimental
Why bother if you're emotional?
And I'm out of tears, out of sympathy?
And I have no more tears or empathy?
I'll make it look accidental
I'll create an impression that it was just an accident.
And I'll leave no sign to say your life was mine
There will be no sign left implying that you belonged to me.
No-one I carried just the same
Nobody shares the same burden as mine.
Thinner than most sinners and saints alive
I am less significant than most people both in virtue and sin.
Dare you speak my name?
Do you have the courage to say my name?
So what if you're temperamental
What difference does it make if you are easily excitable?
And I'm out of tears, out of sympathy?
And I have no more tears or empathy?
So what if I'm elemental
What difference does it make if I am fundamental in nature?
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.