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chrijom
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 23 2010
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Points: 683
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Posted: October 30 2010 at 08:56 |
I think Nomzamo and Are you sitting comfortably? are great albums, yes I agree with richardh the production of that era sounds very different from the later albums but the music is still great. The other thing for me is that these two albums were like two beacons in the fog of mediocrity. Progressive music at that time was at an all time low, and as someone who didn't like Marillion (the great pretenders) who for my part were all fur coat and no knickers (but nowhere near as sexy), IQ of this period filled a much needed gap in this Prog listeners itinery - I grew up with these albums and they will always be cherished for my part - very underrated and often unfairly dismissed - great to hear fans giving them the respect they deserve
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rod65
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 28 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 248
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Posted: October 30 2010 at 09:11 |
I was about to make a similar comment, chrijom, but you beat me to it. While I actually do like Marillion quite a lot, I find IQ more interesting musically, and the Menel albums are no exception, especially when compared, as you point out, to the other music of the era. I've got no problem with 80s production sounds: I grew up in the early 80s and remember much of the music from that decade very fondly. Listening to Are You Sitting Comfortably? at the moment, actually, and thoroughly enjoying it.
One comparison that jumped to my mind while reading recent posts to this thread is with Rush albums from the mid - late 80s. These albums are also much and unfairly maligned, and for the same reasons as the Menel albums. But as you say, these were dark days for prog generally. I should point out with these albums that, even given the prog/pop orientation, the musicianship remains excellent and the overall sound very full.
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chrijom
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 23 2010
Location: UK
Status: Offline
Points: 683
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Posted: October 30 2010 at 10:09 |
well said - couldn't agree more.
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28064
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 10:57 |
rod65 wrote:
I was about to make a similar comment, chrijom, but you beat me to it. While I actually do like Marillion quite a lot, I find IQ more interesting musically, and the Menel albums are no exception, especially when compared, as you point out, to the other music of the era. I've got no problem with 80s production sounds: I grew up in the early 80s and remember much of the music from that decade very fondly. Listening to Are You Sitting Comfortably? at the moment, actually, and thoroughly enjoying it.
One comparison that jumped to my mind while reading recent posts to this thread is with Rush albums from the mid - late 80s. These albums are also much and unfairly maligned, and for the same reasons as the Menel albums. But as you say, these were dark days for prog generally. I should point out with these albums that, even given the prog/pop orientation, the musicianship remains excellent and the overall sound very full. |
Wasn't 'Are You Sitting Comfortably?' produced by Terry Brown (or was it Peter Collins??)? On my remastered edition there is no production credit .
Anyway I know whoever it was also produced Rush around that period as well. I think I agree to some extent although I did miss that raw quality that was on the first two IQ albums.Just seemed more 'honest' and in keeping with their music which was quite emotional and aggressive at the time although I like where IQ ended up on Ever which seemed to have the best of both worlds (clean but packing a punch)
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lucas
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 06 2004
Location: France
Status: Offline
Points: 8138
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Posted: November 01 2010 at 11:34 |
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"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28064
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Posted: November 02 2010 at 02:29 |
lucas wrote:
^
Terry Brown |
thanks!
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rod65
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 28 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 248
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Posted: November 02 2010 at 22:25 |
I hadn't made the production link. Thanks. That explains a lot.
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Harry Hood
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 15 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 1305
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 00:49 |
My first IQ album was Dark Matter, and as a result i tend to feel that the new stuff is brilliant and the old stuff isn't really anything special. I happen to draw the arbitrary line at "Ever", for me the band really took off when Mike Holmes became the full time producer.
Then again, my first Doctor was Christopher Eccelson, so this thread is kind like being in a room full of Tom Baker fans.
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28064
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 02:45 |
Harry Hood wrote:
My first IQ album was Dark Matter, and as a result i tend to feel that the new stuff is brilliant and the old stuff isn't really anything special. I happen to draw the arbitrary line at "Ever", for me the band really took off when Mike Holmes became the full time producer.
Then again, my first Doctor was Christopher Eccelson, so this thread is kind like being in a room full of Tom Baker fans. |
Jon Pertwee for me (although there must be some Patrick Troughton and Wiliam Hartnell fans in the house )
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Roj
Special Collaborator
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Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Manchester, UK
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 04:19 |
Jon Pertwee for me too .
I've known IQ since the very beginning and my list of favourites come from all their eras. However, my favourite three at the moment are The Seventh House, Subterranea and The Wake.
Just missed them recently at Bury when they played The Wake in it's entirety - that was a real shame.
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008
Location: Wales
Status: Offline
Points: 13634
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 13:48 |
Roj M30 wrote:
Jon Pertwee for me too .
I've known IQ since the very beginning and my list of favourites come from all their eras. However, my favourite three at the moment are The Seventh House, Subterranea and The Wake.
Just missed them recently at Bury when they played The Wake in it's entirety - that was a real shame. |
Pertwee for me, too I've known them since the start, but, as much as i love the LPs you state, I actually think they have got better with time. The last two albums, IMHO, are their best.
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time!
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yanch
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 03 2010
Location: Lowell, MA
Status: Offline
Points: 3247
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:06 |
Pertwee, Baker, Davidson, Ecclestone and Tennant are all wonderful.
I do think they have gotten better with time, but The Wake, IMHO, is still a terrific album.
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Snow Dog
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:07 |
Davison for me.
I seem to have missed out on all the Neo prog thing in the 80s except for Marillion of course. But I don't really like Marillion and then I really didn't like them. When I first heard !Q's Lush Attic about 10 years ago I liked it straight away. Just a bshame I was not aware of them or mthe rest of the similar acts back then,
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Snow Dog
Special Collaborator
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Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:32 |
Hey...how about everyone post their favourite song from each IQ studio album?
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M27Barney
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 09 2006
Location: Swinton M27
Status: Offline
Points: 3136
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:50 |
Pertwee for me too, but Tom Baker is a close second and he has the added points that his first wife Lalla Ward is now married to Richard Dawkins!
I too like Are you sitting comfortably and Nom zamo - these two have real gems on them.
I also LOVE Dark Matter, I know Roj dislikes Genesis more than Floyd n Yes - thus his disdain for Harvest of Souls - A superb suppers ready appreciation track if ever there was one!
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M27Barney
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 09 2006
Location: Swinton M27
Status: Offline
Points: 3136
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:57 |
Anyway chaps, must say that the new Spock's Beard is absolutely bloody Marvellous - superb composition , with some startling keyboards by Okumoto - just good from start to finish - highly recommended!
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28064
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 16:31 |
Snow Dog wrote:
Hey...how about everyone post their favourite song from each IQ studio album? |
I'll go first then
Tales From The Lush Attic - The Last Human Gateway
The Wake - Widow's Peak
Nomzamo - Common Ground
Are You Sitting Comfortably? - Nothing At All
Ever - Further Away
Subterranea - Capricorn
The Seventh House - The Seventh House
Dark Matter - Sacred Sound
Frequency - Frequency
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rod65
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 28 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 248
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Posted: November 03 2010 at 21:28 |
Snow Dog wrote:
Hey...how about everyone post their favourite song from each IQ studio album? |
Good idea. Here are mine:
Tales from the Lush Attic: Last Human Gateway The Wake: Headlong
Nomzamo: Human Nature
Are You Sitting Comfortably: Falling Apart at the Seams
Ever: Leap of Faith
Subterranea: The Narrow Margin
Seventh House: Guiding Light
Dark Matter: Harvest of Souls
Frequency: has been Frequency but currently shifting toward
The Province
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everyday
Forum Newbie
Joined: July 13 2010
Location: Kent
Status: Offline
Points: 4
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Posted: November 04 2010 at 08:11 |
'Tales .. ' is probably one of my top 10 albums of all time. Unlike most, I didn't like The Wake. Also, unlike most, I really like the Menel albums. Of the more recent ones, Freqeuncy is the best.
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Roj
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Manchester, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 3126
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Posted: November 04 2010 at 09:04 |
Yeah, nice idea .
7 Stories Into 8 - It All Stops Here
Tales From The Lush Attic - The Last Human Gateway
The Wake - The Magic Roundabout
Nomzamo - Common Ground
Are You Sitting Comfortably? - War Heroes
Ever - Leap Of Faith
Subterranea - Sleepless Incidental
The Seventh House - The Seventh House
Dark Matter - Sacred Sound
Frequency - Riker Skies
Rob, I love Genesis and absolutely adore Supper's Ready. I really don't mind "appreciation" of a classic as you call it, but for me on Harvest Of Souls, IQ just went a little too far. Don't get me wrong, it's still very good, but as such I tend to not listen to it that much. For me Sacred Sound is the best on Dark Matter by some distance.
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