SUBTERRANEA

My friend, Tom Malik, just lent me a DVD titled as "The Enigma of KASPAR HAUSER", a Germany movie production based on a true story. "Watch this movie as this is a real story that inspires IQ in SUBTERRANEA album", Tom said to me. I did watch the movie. That's why it's about time now to review this seminal work of IQ.

This album deserves for "detail" review as this concept album is a brilliant product that has ever been made by the band. I own this album since its day of release but I refrain myself to review it because it's so special album. Even, I think, this long review won't be enough to cover all.

Before I discuss in detail about this album, I need to clear some issues up front. I believe that if we talk about music creation nowadays, it's very hard to classify the "originality" of the music because I think all music are "derivatives". My point is simple, I don't want to reduce my rating to any album of this band due to their music is derivative or they are a GENESIS clone, or whatever. To me, IQ is one of the most inspirational bands that I have ever known to-date. Be it their music direction is similar with GENESIS or not, I don't really care. I think it's the band choice to be in the vein of GENESIS. Even, I admire this band in their ability to create TOUCHY melody in some musical segments of their songs. Almost in any song they have written, I find great melody (probably in only couple of minutes or even seconds) in particular segments of songs they write. The melody really touches your heart. In this melody creation they are not less creative compared to GENESIS.

However, I WILL NOT tolerate any band who intentionally or unintentionally creates a music segment that is "90%" similar with other band. I have noticed this happen in some prog bands that I will review in other part. For IQ, I never find them doing such thing.

"Subterranea" is an album that you MUST HAVE in your prog collection. It's definitely in the neo progressive arena where it has a strong melody with keyboard-based music composition in a relatively medium tempo. It's a concept album about a 17-year old boy that appeared in city N, 1828. He could not speak but one word. He was buried in the cellar since he was born. No one knows what was the reason and who set him free.

Don't (please don't!) ever try to compare this album with "The Lamb Lies Down .." because it's totally different. I tell you, honestly, all tracks of this album are excellent. While, "The lamb Lies .." has one track, at least, that I hate very much "The Waiting Room"!! Uuugh .. tell me who's gonna understand this musician's ego? Hey, don't worry .. I'm a great fan of GENESIS. Judging this album with "number of CDs" only is not wise at all. IMHO.

"Subterranea" album does not use a tag line melody that is repeatedly used throughout the album. Each song has its own melody but the transition between songs were created smoothly. There are some intentional break between songs as well. "Overture" is an instrumental piece that set the atmosphere for the whole album. If you wanna know what sort of TOUCHY melody I meant at above, you can find at minutes "1:36" of this track where Holmes' guitar fills make a melody. It's really touchy! It happens couple of seconds only but it helps put matters into perspective. Remember, this is a concept album.

"Provider" is something I call as an overview of the story. It has a great vocal by Nicholls with spacey keyboard sound in the background. "Are you inside, provider, or am I?". This short piece is then followed by a drumming part that opens "Subterranea" (third track). It's a medium tempo and melodic song. Nicholls sings nicely. The keyboard played by Orford is great, combined with simple guitar touch by Holmes. This track is much more enjoyable if you play it loud. "Powerhouse, sacred vows, trigger happy punk ..". The incorporation of saxophone has accentuated the track beautifully. (Actually, I don't like sax sound. But, for this track .. I love it!).

The transition to next track "Sleepless Incidental" happens smoothly with a thin acoustic guitar and keyboard sounds. Nicholls voice dominates the scene at the intro part until a dazzling drums, bass and organ sounds enter the music. Now the band creates another "touchy" great melody. This time happens right after Nicholls sings "I'm only taking time. And I'm not where I want to be now" (minute 3:37) where solo organ by Martin Orford takes lead with other instruments are quiet. This piece strengthens and accentuates the song wonderfully. Its nuance is church but its melody is something that I sometime relate to our country's ethnical song. Cool. I don't believe that mankind can create such a wonderful piece here. This time is longer because it endures altogether with lead guitar play until the song ends. Oh God .. this melody makes me cry, really!

"Failsafe" is another heavy melody track opened by a solo organ right after previous track was finished. The keyboard sound that Orford plays at background is nice throughout the song. "Speak My Name" is a nice ballad with only vocal and keyboard sound with acoustic guitar as interlude. This is another track with a great melody. Peter Nichols voice is powerful. He sings with his heart. "Every time you speak my name .. you speak my name.." . This mellow track is a relaxation before it enters to the uplifting and dynamic song "Tunnel Vision" (one of my favorite tracks). I usually play this track outloud to satisfy my listening pleasure. I like when Nichols sings at the intro "Don't want to lead a revolution. Let another go ahead ." Wow! I like the lyrics and the melody (of course). The musical piece is also excellent. I catch another touchy melody again played by guitar fill of Holmes. Really nice. I bet you will love this track! The lead guitar interlude is cool.

I don't plan to review each track of Disc 1. I just want to conclude the discussion of Disc 1 with my impression that disc 1 is concluded by the band brilliantly with two nice tracks that must be enjoyed as one: "The sense of In Sanity" (slow track dominated by vocal and vibraphone sound) and followed by "State of Mine" (higher tone track with all instruments play together dominated by keyboard sound). I feel so relaxed with the end track of Disc 1.

Disc 2 is opened with a nice piano and howling guitar in "Laid Low" (instrumental). It "reminds" me to GENESIS "After The Ordeal" but it is shorter. "Breathtaker"'s melody sounds similar with some part of Disc 1 music in its intro. But when the vocal part enters, it's totally different nice melody. I enjoy all tracks in Disc 2 with an exception on 5th track "Unsolid Ground" which sounds so poppy to me. But, never mind. This album is excellent overall. Disc 2 is concluded by an epic track "The Narrow Margin" with 20 minutes duration. This track should be enjoyed by listening to previous track "High waters" which has strong melody. Again, there is no "alike" with "The Lamb .." as in "The Lamb" there is no 20 minute track, my friend.

I have no argument for not giving FIVE STAR for this album as this album has a very strong songwriting, excellent sonic production of the CD, and great musicianship. All musicians do not attempt to demonstrate their skills dominantly, but as a whole album they are able to create an ultimate "emotional ecstasy" to their listeners (and especially to their loyal fans) through their touchy melodies.

What do you think? - Gatot Widayanto, Indonesia.