SUBTERRANEA

I recently did my review of Dark Matter and tried to explain why I didn't like that album compared to Ever. I don't think I explained very well but now that I'm reviewing this superb double album by this British neo band I think it all falls on its place.

Because it's actually all about getting it and grasping it. And of course a certain album must get to you in a way. There has to be a connection between you and the artists composing and performing it. And then still it's a mysterious thing how exactly that works. I guess we will never know. It just happens (or in case of no connection, it doesn't). But then still it's strange that one and the same band can leave you totally cold with one release (Dark Matter) and that same band totally gets you in a spell with another release.

Right now I'm listening to this doubler one last time, I haven't heard it for over a year by now and maybe that's a little part of the secret, I knew I loved it in the past and then it's always interesting if after some time the miracle still is on. Well, I can tell you, it is !

What a fantastic concept album this is. Especially with disc one the 4th and 5th track (Sleepless Incidental and Failsafe) I cannot tell how good it is. It's simply fantastic, I have no doubt this is IQ's best and always will be. The two mentioned tracks are two of the best on the doubler (along with TunnelVision as well), I have to admit that but on the other disc we also have the great epic The Narrow Margin. But all the other tracks fall behind in quality with these.

And that's also the reason I can't call this a masterpiece but it's a lot better than two other good albums by IQ, Ever and Seventh House. It's their best and it gets 4 stars but actually it's even worth a bit more (4,2).