Is Resistance By IQ really that good?

Edited by richardh - February 10 2020 at 23:40

I listened to cd 1 today. It's a grower.

^ lyrically IQ tend to be abstract . If you want a bit of clarity then I suggest the Dark Matter album where they take a bit of a 'pop' at the good ole United States Of America . That seems almost more relevant just at the moment! Most IQ lyrics and albums are generally about death . I have the album cover for Resistance as the background on my pc and it shows a lone survivor on a dying planet (or moon) digging something ( a grave maybe) and in the distance the sun is exploding. IQ don't really do 'positive'. Nicholls is one of the most angst ridden vocalists there has ever been (not just prog) although I know many just find him 'whiney'. Each to his own I guess.

Edited by richardh - February 12 2020 at 00:10

richardh wrote: The Road of Bones first disc didn't really do it for me although I like the second disc a lot. IQ essentially revisited the track Further Away (from Ever) for inspiration but I would still rather listen to Ever. I like the last album a lot. Durrant has spread his wings and added so much more imo. As a long time IQ fan I would personally rate their albums Tales From The Lush Attic 8/10 The Wake 9/10 Nomzamo 5/10 Are You Sitting Comfortably? 6/10 Ever 10/10 Subterranea 7/10 Seven Stories Into Ninety Eight 8/10 The Seventh House 8/10 Dark Matter 7/10 Frequency 9/10 The Road of Bones 7/10 Resistance 8/10

I'd go along with most of these ratings with just the old tweak i.e. Dark Matter and Road of Bones to an 8 and Ever to a 9, but it shows you how good they have been and even the middle period without Nicholls has something to offer.

It took me several listens to digest Resistance - it is just so dense. However, gradually opened itself up and no longer just flows over me like warm treacle. Still finding more nuances to it with every listen - definitely a grower and worthy of an 8/10 rating. Long may they continue.....

Squonk19 wrote: richardh wrote: The Road of Bones first disc didn't really do it for me although I like the second disc a lot. IQ essentially revisited the track Further Away (from Ever) for inspiration but I would still rather listen to Ever. I like the last album a lot. Durrant has spread his wings and added so much more imo. As a long time IQ fan I would personally rate their albums Tales From The Lush Attic 8/10 The Wake 9/10 Nomzamo 5/10 Are You Sitting Comfortably? 6/10 Ever 10/10 Subterranea 7/10 Seven Stories Into Ninety Eight 8/10 The Seventh House 8/10 Dark Matter 7/10 Frequency 9/10 The Road of Bones 7/10 Resistance 8/10 I'd go along with most of these ratings with just the old tweak i.e. Dark Matter and Road of Bones to an 8 and Ever to a 9, but it shows you how good they have been and even the middle period without Nicholls has something to offer. It took me several listens to digest Resistance - it is just so dense. However, gradually opened itself up and no longer just flows over me like warm treacle. Still finding more nuances to it with every listen - definitely a grower and worthy of an 8/10 rating. Long may they continue.....

 

^ at the risk of repeating myself , the lyrics are abstract by nature. Nicholls has admitted before that he likes using certain words just because they sound good. I would advise skipping this album and check out Dark Matter. If you don't get on with that one then it would be sensible to give up on IQ and listen to other bands instead. There are plenty!  

foregonillusions wrote: richardh wrote: Nicholls has admitted before that he likes using certain words just because they sound good Isn't that what Jon Anderson admitted too?

 

lazland wrote: richardh wrote: ^ hadn't noticed that the only time I can think of where that word had any emphasis in a sog was a Genesis track - Cinema Show or Aisle of Plenty I think. Nursery Cryme. Lots of “nows” at the end of that.