SUBTERRANEA

IQ's 'Subterranea' must really have been a revelation back in '97. Such a relief, a full sci-fi rock neo prog concept album without a weak moment, with many highlights, a strong 'epic' and a relatively good production. Furthermore it really makes sense as a concept album; I really get the feeling I'm going on a journey when I listen to it. Listening to it now, in 2020 (after the release of Resistance), the album has almost become a nostalgic piece of prog of before that big progressive wave that would hit in the new century.

On 'Subterranea' the song-writing (both the sung parts and the instrumental parts) is among the most cohesive and expressive of the genre. The songs are often dark, fearful and the sense of being lost in this sci-fi universe fits well with the modern synths of Martin Orford and glassy and melodic (though slightly thin recorded) electric guitars of Mike Holmes. The album also has its share of emotional ballad-type song, of which 'Capricorn' is particularly grasping. Peter Nicholls started his career with IQ imitating Peter Gabriel, but eventually found is own unique voice. Nicholls is perfectly suited to sing a bit like an actor; creating the story with his tone of voice and bringing the lyrics in a lively immersed way. The new listeners will have to pierce through a think layer of neo-prog abstractness (first the music sounds ' way out there') before they'll reach the type of depth this musical experience has to offer. Of course this album is highly indebted to Genesis' 'The Lamb Dies Down on Broadway', but I would argue that IQ did more than any other band to further that type of progrock that Genesis left behind in the late seventies.

This is an album I hold dear and I would be hard pressed to name a '90 prog release (in any sub-genre) that is significantly better.