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Tales from the Lush Attic IQ |
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IQ are: Tracklist: The English band IQ were formed in 1981. By the end of 1982 they had already released their debut cassette album "Seven Stories Into Eight". They released their first vinyl album "Tales from A Lush Attic" independently in 1983; this is a re-mastered re-release of that album with one bonus track added. Notable are that this album is released the same year as Marillion's debut album "Script For A Jester's Tear", so we're not talking any Marillion wannabes here, although the two albums are very similar in style. They also reminds a lot of Genesis. IQ are outstanding musicians, they have an excellent vocalist that sometimes reminds of Peter Gabriel and their music is very powerful with strong melodies. The highlights are the opening 20-minute epic masterpiece "The Last Human Gateway" and the closing "The Enemy Smacks". This is a highly recommended album, especially if you're into Genesis and neo-progressive rock. Released by GEP (GEPCD1010) -Reviewed by Greger Rönnqvist-
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IQ are: Tracklist: This album is said to be one of the classic neo-progressive albums of the '80's. It was originally released on Sahara Records, but this is a re-mastered reissue on the Giant Electric Pea label with three additional bonus tracks. "The Wake" is IQ's second album and it was released around the same time as Marillion's "Misplaced Childhood". At this time IQ and Marillion were sound alikes with reminiscences to Gabriel-era Genesis. The highlights are the opening track "Outer Limits", "The Wake", "Widow's Peak", the album closer "Headlong" and the bonus track "Dans Le Parc Du Chateau Noir". I can't understand why this track wasn't included on the original album instead of "Corners". I really like that IQ are using the Mellotron as it wasn't used very often in 80's progressive rock. This is a good album although Marillion's "Misplaced Childhood" were slightly better. Highly recommended! Released by GEP (GEPCD1011) -Reviewed by Greger Rönnqvist-
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IQ are: Tracklist: IQ's third album presented two major changes: a new vocalist, Paul Menel, and a change of musical direction towards more commercial but still progressive rock. I don't like Paul Menel as much as Peter Nicholl's and I prefer IQ's more progressive moments. Suddenly the reminiscences to Genesis had disappeared and they were now reminiscent to Yes ca. "90125" (1983) and "Big Generator" (1987). These two changes would, in my book, affect the rating in a negative way but it hasn't. Although the commercial approach of this album it's still high quality music. With tracks such as "Nomzamo",
"Human Nature" and the closing "Common Ground" I must admit
that it's hard to resist this album. Released by GEP (GEPCD1012) -Reviewed by Greger Rönnqvist- |
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IQ are: Tracklist: "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" was IQ's fourth studio album, released in 1989. It follows the same musical direction they took with their previous album "Nomzamo" (1987). This album became the second and last album with Paul Menel on vocals. The music on this album could be described as a mix between how Genesis, Marillion, Saga and Yes are sounding today. The highlights are "War Heroes", "Drive On", "Sold on You" and the epic progressive masterpiece "Wurensh". This album is really good although IQ have released better ones. Released by GEP (GEPCD1013 ) -Reviewed by Greger Rönnqvist- |
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IQ are: Special Guests: Tracks: Subterranea: The Concert was filmed and recorded before a capacity crowd at 013, Tilburg in Holland on the 4th April 1999. A bit about IQ... (skip) IQ were formed in Southampton, England, in 1981. Relocating to London in early 1982, the band gigged relentlessly throughout the UK and released their debut cassette album Seven Stories Into Eight in October of that year. Their powerful and melodic music, coupled with outstanding musicianship and a theatrical live presentation, quickly earned them a dedicated following and a series of headline appearances at London's legendary Marquee club. IQ's first vinyl album Tales From The Lush Attic, released independently in 1983, was described by Sounds as "an album which dazzles with its dexterity". To promote it, the band played countless concerts throughout the UK and recorded a radio session for the BBC's Friday Rock Show, which was swiftly repeated due to popular demand. In 1985 IQ released The Wake, widely regarded as one of the classic progressive albums of the '80s. The band recorded a one-hour concert for television (subsequently released as the live album and video Living Proof) and undertook a nationwide tour of Britain with Wishbone Ash which culminated in a memorable performance at Hammersmith Odeon. However, the pressures involved in writing and recording The Wake, along with playing more than 200 concerts in one year, led to tensions within the group and after the tour Peter Nicholls announced his decision to leave IQ. He went on to form his own group, Niadem's Ghost. Recruiting new vocalist Paul Menel, IQ played at London's Piccadilly Theatre in 1986, a performance which would lead to the signing of a lucrative deal with Phonogram. A UK tour with Magnum followed and in 1987, the band's third studio album, Nomzamo, was released. It marked a change of direction and saw IQ incorporating more commercial influences into their progressive style. This period also saw the band's first live appearances in Europe, where they were enthusiastically received. Further exposure in mainland Europe ensured a loyal following. Are You Sitting Comfortably?, released in 1989, was produced by Terry Brown, notable for his previous work with Rush. The album was promoted by a full European tour with Mike And The Mechanics. In 1990, dissatisfaction with the lack of support from Phonogram, combined with differing ideas about the band's musical direction, resulted in the departure of Menel and original bassist Tim Esau. The remaining members recruited Les 'Ledge' Marshall on bass, and a chance meeting with Peter Nicholls led to his rejoining the band. The new lineup performed only two concerts, at The Marquee club and La Cigale in Paris, before tragedy struck when Les, an old and trusted friend of the band, died suddenly and unexpectedly in the summer of that year. This sad event served to bring the members of the band closer together and made everyone more determined than ever that IQ should continue. The release in 1991 of the live and rarities CD J'ai Pollette d'Arnu was a significant event in that it was the first release on Giant Electric Pea, a new label founded by members and associates of IQ. This year also saw the arrival of John Jowitt, formerly with Ark, as the new bassist. The band's triumphant concert at the Paradiso in Amsterdam that November was voted best of the year by readers of the influential Dutch SI Magazine, ahead of shows by Yes and Marillion, among others. With a stable lineup once more, IQ resumed live work in Europe and the UK while also writing new songs. In May 1993, the band made their American debut by headlining the prestigious Progfest event in Los Angeles. They previewed material from their forthcoming album, Ever, which was released the following month. The album was launched with a sellout show at the Stadthalle in Kleve, Germany, and was filmed and recorded for future release. Ever received worldwide critical acclaim, scooping Best Album accolades from SI Magazine and the UK's Classic Rock Society. It was supported by an extensive three-week tour of Germany and Holland, which served to reestablish IQ firmly on the live circuit. In 1994 the band made a successful return to America, strengthening their growing popularity there. A European tour in November found IQ returning to Milan after an absence of seven years and playing to packed houses. Having regained the rights to all their albums, IQ set about re-releasing their entire back catalogue on GEP, each CD remastered and featuring extra tracks. April 1996 saw the release of the sumptuous live double CD and video boxed set Forever Live. This impressive package attracted excellent reviews and regular airplay from the legendary Alan 'Fluff' Freeman on Virgin Radio. At the start of 1997, work began in earnest on what would become IQ's double concept CD, Subterranea. Released in September of that year, the album was supported by a full theatrical show, which incorporated video projections and moving lights. Hailed as the band's masterpiece, the album and show received unanimously enthusiastic responses from the music press and a rapturous response from fans around the world. Once again, IQ cleared the board at the annual Classic Rock Society awards, winning Best Album, Best Band and most of the individual musician categories. IQ kicked off 1998 in style with a one-off showcase at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London. It was another triumphant night, which saw fans travelling from as far afield as Holland, Italy, Malta and even the USA. February found the band in the studio again, taking the unprecedented move of completely re-recording their 1982 cassette album. Seven Stories Into '98 was released in April 1998 to coincide with the band's successful two-week Subterranea tour of Europe where they performed the album in its entirety at each show. The final performance in Holland was recorded for posterity and is now available as the “Subterranea: The Concert” VHS video and double CD, with a DVD to follow. The band spent most of the year 2000 writing and recording the new studio album “The Seventh House”, which was released to wide acclaim in February 2001. This new CD has proved to be a worthy follow-up to Subterranea, combining a harder edge with IQ’s renowned melodic sensibilities. 2001 also saw the 20th anniversary of IQ and this was marked by a special concert to a packed audience at London’s prestigious Mean Fiddler venue, with more dates in Europe to follow in 2002. Unfortunately, for me that is, I have never ever got round to seeing IQ live, which to be honest seems very strange considering having bought their first album, and thinking, hey, this is brilliant, and playing it to some friends of mine, who also thought the same and from then on being an IQ fan. By the way, when I say album, I mean album, when 'Tales Of The Lush Attic' was first released CD's were not around. Anyway, from that point, you could say that I have been a keen fan of IQ's music, and I can tell you, that is if you haven't heard of IQ, or let alone their music, they have released some excellent albums similar in a way to early Genesis, both musically and especially Peter Nicholls, whose voice is fairly similar to that of Peter Gabriel, and this brings me back to my first point. Why haven't I ever seen IQ live, I mean, I have had many years to do so, I suppose there must be various different reasons, but let me tell you, having now watched this DVD, I wish I had, and at the very first opportunity I get, I will go to see them live. The concert is visually superb, combined with IQ's wonderful music, what more could you ask for. Besides the band playing live on stage. IQ use projected images, screens, and lots more visual effects throughout the show. Peter also goes through several different guises as the show runs on. The whole concert runs through every track on the double album 'Subterranea' from start to finish. Excellent tracks such as 'Subterranea', 'Sleepless Incidental', 'Speak My Name' just to name a few. As 'Subterranea' is a concept album, you really need to watch it form start to finish in one go, so you will need to leave around an hour and a half to see it through. There are also a few other features on this DVD which are: Orchestral Overture. Well, I am sure there are going to lots of IQ fans wanting to buy this, and if you haven't already, then I would suggest that you do, it really is excellent. And I can thoroughly recommend it to any progrock fans out there who like early Genesis, Yes, and Marillion. Go out and buy!! Highly Recommended!!! Released by GEP (SPV
-558-41278 DVD) |