IO EARTH: Sanctuary (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With 15 years under their belts and 7 albums to their credit, England's IO Earth have made a lasting mark on the progressive landscape, still led by guitarist Dave Cureton and keyboardist Adam Gough. The band has remained stable overall, delivering a symphonic progressive sound that is not averse to enriching itself with consonances borrowed from world music.

IO Earth follows in the footsteps of previous albums, albeit with a more electro sound, particularly on the percussion. This doesn't overturn the result, but it adds a plus to an already well-studied instrumentation, which manages to take the listener on interesting journeys. The work on ambiences and sonorities is particularly meticulous ('Sanctuaire'), enriched by oriental or Hispanic tones ('Outside'), with some very successful tracks representing a fine calling card for the band ('The Child' or the good Closer 'Won't Be Afraid').

The vocals are well highlighted, with the combination of male and female tones inevitably reminiscent of Mostly Autumn ('Running'), and the band delivers a minimalist, chiselled piano-female vocal of great sensitivity ('Close By'). They also excel in contrasts, moving from pure melody to more marked sections that bring welcome variety.

It's when IO Earth overdoes it that it shows its limitations: 'Changes' appears a little instrumentally charged and a bit saturated on the recording, 'Sunshine' is more jerky and appears less pleasant, and 'Running' pushes the synthetic cursor beyond reason. And then the journey stops, even if these tracks are of a good standard.

The melodic and varied side wins out, however, and the accessibility and care taken in the production of “Sanctuary” confirm IO Earth's status as a sure bet in English progressive. - Official website

IO EARTH

SANCTUARY

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE ROCK