(Neo-Progressive) [LP] [24/96] IQ - Are You Sitting Comfortably? - 1989, FLAC (tracks+.cue)

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Analyzed folder: /IQ - Are You Sitting Comfortably? (LP)
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DR Peak RMS Filename
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DR15 -0.12 dB -17.89 dB 01 IQ - LADO 1- War Heroes.wav
DR15 -0.13 dB -17.40 dB 02 IQ - Drive On.wav
DR15 -1.06 dB -18.09 dB 03 IQ - Nostalgia.wav
DR13 -0.48 dB -16.50 dB 04 IQ - Falling Apart At The Seams.wav
DR14 -0.92 dB -17.67 dB 05 IQ - LADO 2- Sold On You.wav
DR16 -1.84 dB -19.01 dB 06 IQ - Through My Fingers.wav
DR15 -2.50 dB -19.63 dB 07 IQ - Wurensh.wav
DR13 -3.22 dB -18.63 dB 08 IQ - Nothing At All.wav
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Number of files: 8
Official DR value: DR14

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- Paul Cook / drums, percussion
- Tim Essau / bass guitar, bass pedals, back vocal
- Mike Holmes / guitar, guitar synthetizers
- Paul Menel / vocals, backing vocals, strimpapa, tambourine
- Martin Orford / keyboards, backing vocals, sax, flute and flying tart
Artwork By [Sleeve Design] – Satori
Producer – Terry Brown
Written-By – M. Orford*, M. Holmes*, P. Cook*, P. Menel*, T. Esau*

This is probably the most pop and accessible of the IQ albums; with Paul Menel on lead vocals, it definitely sounds like the previous "Nomzamo". So, the IQ fan who expects complex and elaborated progressive songs could be a bit disappointed. So, you have to be prepared to hear something more pop here, although the progressive dimension is still quite present.
The songs are actually accessible and very catchy: the compositions are fresh, cute and never dark. Menel's voice is OUTSTANDING!!! The record is well balanced: some songs are really pop, well made and very catchy ("Drive On", "Sold On You", "Through My Fingers"), while other ones are more progressive ("Nostalgia", "Wurensh"). The mix of modern varied keyboards and sought-after clean & slight distortion guitars a la MARILLION, combined to a wonderful elaborated fretless bass is very pleasant. Even if the drums are less elaborated here, they still do a great job. All the songs are very well made! No fillers!

Review by greenback, progarchives.com