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chrijom View Drop Down
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Points: 683 		Direct Link To This Post 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 deserveThumbs Up
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rod65 View Drop Down
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Points: 248 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 683 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 30 2010 at 10:09
well said - couldn't agree more.Thumbs Up 
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richardh View Drop Down
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Points: 28064 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 01 2010 at 10:57
Originally posted by rod65 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 creditConfused .
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 View Drop Down
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Points: 8138 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 01 2010 at 11:34

^

Terry Brown
"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)
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richardh View Drop Down
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Points: 28064 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 02 2010 at 02:29
Originally posted by lucas lucas wrote:

^

Terry Brown
thanks!
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rod65 View Drop Down
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Points: 248 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 1305 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 28064 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 02:45
Originally posted by Harry Hood 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 houseLOL)
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Roj View Drop Down
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Points: 3126 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 04:19
Jon Pertwee for me too Wink.
 
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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Points: 13634 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 13:48
Originally posted by Roj M30 Roj M30 wrote:

Jon Pertwee for me too Wink.
 
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, tooLOL

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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yanch View Drop Down
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Points: 3247 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:06
Pertwee, Baker, Davidson, Ecclestone and Tennant are all wonderful. Smile

I do think they have gotten better with time, but The Wake, IMHO, is still a terrific album.
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Snow Dog View Drop Down
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Points: 32995 		Direct Link To This Post 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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Points: 32995 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 14:32
Hey...how about everyone post their favourite song from each IQ studio album?
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 3136 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 28064 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 16:31
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Hey...how about everyone post their favourite song from each IQ studio album?
I'll go first thenBig smile
 
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 View Drop Down
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Points: 248 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 03 2010 at 21:28
Originally posted by Snow Dog 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 4 		Direct Link To This Post 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 View Drop Down
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Points: 3126 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2010 at 09:04
Yeah, nice idea Tongue.
 
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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