Is Resistance By IQ really that good?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=121172
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Topic: Is Resistance By IQ really that good?
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Subject: Is Resistance By IQ really that good?
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 09:56
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I haven’t listened yet myself as it’s not on Apple Music, but with 100 ratings already, and only 5 star reviews across the board, will this be hailed as a modern prog classic? Or will it be a similar case as road of bones where it climbs quickly and falls over time? It’s currently sitting at 4.66, I can’t imagine any new prog album topping from Silence to Somewhere, but I’ll once again say I haven’t listened yet. What are your thoughts? |
Replies:
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 10:01
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the rating will drop a bit at some point. I enjoyed the album, listened to it twice so far.
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Posted By: Homotopy
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 10:31
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I am baffled by such positive ratings, even though I understand that those come mostly from fans. What I heard is lots of monotonous vocals, suspicious song structures and lack of any really pleasant moments: despite wanting to understand the album better, I just can't find anything to come back for. It's not a terrible album, but why people call it a super-best-masterpiece-ever is beyond me. |
Posted By: Mudpuppy64
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 11:12
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I Liked it . |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 12:04
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It's better than Road to Bones (which failed to impress me in any way). A Drop of Light and, to a lesser degree, From Silence to Somewhere are the two from this decade with the best chance of staying in the Top 100. ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: mbzr48
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 12:14
| The BEST Neo-Prog album of all times and Road of Bones is now the 2nd best Neo-Prog of all times before 2 Marillion albums that used to be the "Benchmark" of Neo-Prog fell back to #3 & #4 IMHO |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 12:25
^How can an album that was just released two weeks ago or so be the best neo prog album of all time? 
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 12:29
ITS THAT GOOD!! ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:Posted By: friso
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 13:17
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Well I've written te first collaborators review and listening to it some more has not changed my mind at all! I did though initially it was a particularly tough nut to crack. Moreover, its a lot of music and it's hard to familiarize yourself with it in a short time. I really think this is a much needed artistic step forward for the neo-prog genre. ------------- I'm guitarist and songwriter for the prog-related band Mother Bass. Find us at http://www.motherbass.com. I also enter stages throughout the Netherlands performing my poetry. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 13:18
I personally think FSTS is top 5 material but I’m content with it being top 20, and I think Drop Of Light surely deserves top 50 |
Posted By: mbzr48
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 13:52
Very simple, if it's better than "Road of Bones", "Misplaced Childhood" & "Script for a Jester's Tear" than it's the BEST Neo-Prog ever!
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 13:55
I didn't know you were a neo fan.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 13:56
Yeah, but it still has to contend with Wobbler and All Traps on Earth. Wait, I guess those aren't really neo prog albums. Never mind.
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Posted By: friso
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 13:58
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IQ's 'Resistence' compares a bit hard to other neo-prog records, because its way more sophisticated. A relatively 'simple' record like Galahad's 'Empires Never Last' can be also be very nice to listen too. It's also not that theatrical, which (for me) would be the main strength of early Marillion. My personal favorite will probably remain Arena's 'Contagion', which I've loved so much since age fourteen. ------------- I'm guitarist and songwriter for the prog-related band Mother Bass. Find us at http://www.motherbass.com. I also enter stages throughout the Netherlands performing my poetry. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 14:08
| Listened to the first 3 songs on my drive to work, seems pretty good so far, gonna play the rest later and listen throughout the week to make a proper opinion. I highly doubt it'll be better than Wobbler but it seems promising so far... |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 14:33
I'll give it a listen tonight & give my panhead verdict I do actually have Road Of Bones and like it but it's probably one of 3 neo albums I have. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 16:01
I'm listening to a track from it now on online radio. There's actually a little bit of a metal element in it but how many modern prog bands don't have a metal element(at least a little bit) in their music these days? 
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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 17:55
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Finally listened today. About all I can say about it (as with most neo I have listened to) is that the production is top tier. The compositions are not my cup of tea and really seem a rehash of stuff I have heard before. From a general objective point of view, probably a 3. From a personal likability rating more in the 2 range.
------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow">  https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 19:32
| Just finished disc one, really digging it so far |
Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 20:10
| I never could, for the life of me, get into IQ. Many of their albums have very good ratings, but when I listened to them, did not impressed me at all. I will give it a try, hoping to finally get into the IQ fever that seems to be getting everybody exited. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 20:24
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My biggest problem (as usual with neo bands) are the lyrics and vocals. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 20:28
| Just finished the second disc, didn’t impress me as much. Will listen again throughout the week |
Posted By: Flucktrot
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 20:36
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Not a five star for me, and in 6 months the ratings will reflect that. Have to agree though with folks above regarding the production, as it's awesome. Look, we get a new IQ album every 5 years, so it's special in that way no matter what. What I really love about this album is that it takes all of what makes IQ what they are (heavy keys, mechanical yet organic, no vocal harmonies, like, ever) and puts that in their best form. Unlike previous albums, which always had cool sections that may not flow that well to together, I love how this album evolves in a way that's not prog-by-numbers or forced. IQ keeps getting slowly better to me, and this might be the culmination, if not a revelation. ------------- Thank you, God of Rock, for this chance to kick ass |
Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 20:49
I agree, though that is my second biggest problem. The ubiquitous synthesizer string patches become grating rather quickly. ------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow"> https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 20:51
Oh yeah, one of the saving graces is the lack of harmony vocals. Lush synth patches & harmony vocals make my skin crawl. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: foregonillusions
Date Posted: October 13 2019 at 22:04
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The rating will definitely decrease simply due to an increase of the sample size, but I do believe this album is really good. I'm still unsure if it's better as The Road of Bones (I really liked the lyrics and story. The ending of "Until The End" is beautiful.), but it's at least as enjoyable for me. And what's impressive is that despite its 109 minute length, I never feel bored nor tired. Worst thing I can say about it is what one reviewer already mentioned, and that is I'd prefer more lead guitar to go along with the great keys. If you love or even merely like neo-prog, this will be a strong contender for your AOTY. IQ almost always delivers, someway or another.
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Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 06:16
Nail on head. Too early to say whether it's as good as TROB, but then it took a while for that one to fully reveal itself. And Frequency is a perfect album. And The Seventh House. And Ever...... IQ are unbelievably consistent, they're lovely guys, and they do it for fun. I love them to bits! But yes the album rating will drop. I remember five years ago, that TROB was sitting at these levels initially. It's now at 4.26 and sits at 69 in the all time list. I expect Resistance will do something similar, but maybe stay higher. My favourite track so far is The Great Spirit Way. They do love a good epic! But If Anything is also gorgeous, and quite different for IQ....
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Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 10:12
| Very good record. I gave it five stars and I really believe it's worthy of that score. Their best? Maybe (Road Of Bones is incredible). Better than Wobbler? No way, Jose!!! |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 11:33
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Have not heard it yet. I don't like Peter Nicholl's voice. Road of Bones, which I own, gets a 3 star from me. Dark Matter I liked better, but the songwriting is so bland and unoriginal. Every release sounds the same. No doubt this is overrated like so many releases on PA. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 12:27
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I am of the opinion that most "art" and more is overrated and underrated by someone from an objective standpoint. Rating Resistance highly because you love it would not be overrating it, claiming that it's the most original, exciting, and best music ever would be, or making claims as objective fact that wouldn't stand close scrutiny. I've seen various people make claims of merit and demerit about bands and albums that were verifiably wrong. It's important to try to separate the subjective from the objective when using a term such as overrated and underrated from my perspective (should have an explicit framework of analysis/ criteria). I took the time to listen to quite a bit, more bits and pieces throughout, and it sounded dull and derivative to me, and over-produced, and referenced music styles that I dislike. I couldn't fairly judge it that way, even based on my taste. Albums can take time to grow on one too. Those echo effects on the vocals annoyed me. That said, Neo-Prog is not my thing, and while the album is not my taste, I won;t complain about others who love it even if it is dull to me, and I find it derivative. There's some derivative music that I love, it just has to be derivative of the kinds of music I love (that said, I wouldn't hold it in as high regard as the orginators in that sense even if I enjoyed the music more, and sometimes who I thought were the originators weren't as original or innovative as I thought once I got to know related earlier music). By the way, at rateyourmusic, a general music site but one where albums commonly get many more ratings, Resistance has three reviews, 57 ratings, and a 3.88 rating. Here it has a 4.64 with 105 ratings and seven reviews. Sometimes when such albums come out, we do get people joining PA just to rate/review such albums (and sometimes one user posting multiple times under different accounts), but I haven't reviewed the raters much. There have been times when groups have tried to manipulate the placement/ranking, but I'm not noticing a problem of that like this time (In those cases people often prop up one album while down-rating others). At this times we have seen huge numbers of ratings over a very short period of time. I don't give much heed when it comes to how I should value something by how an album is ranked or rated generally, or chart positions. I'd rather follow trusted raters, generally, who share similar tastes to my own. An album may be very professionally made, yet I hate it. To each his or her own tastes. That said, general ratings can be a good guide for me when it comes to artists that I care about or ones that I want to look into of styles that I am into. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 12:35
| Second listen didn’t go too well, really can’t tell songs apart and it’s just boring, if anything wouldn’t sound out of place on we can’t dance. Gonna keep listening but it’s looking like a 3 rn |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 13:52
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For such a long album (108 minutes and 37 seconds), you have much more patience than I do. There's so much great for me music out there that I couldn't be bothered spending so much time with an album that I found boring. I don't have to love an album initially, but if nothing grabs or at least intrigues me musically, then I would be unlikely to wish to return to it (at least in full). I have sometimes heard albums when In the wrong mood, not enjoyed them much, come back and loved them, but this won;t be one of those albums as it's too removed from my tastes (that said, it did have some moments I liked, but those were quickly spoiled). To be honest, it's not an album I even would want to acquire the taste for. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 16:29
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hahah... no idea.. but I have my suspicions as to the answer.. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 16:33
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I found both Dark Matter and Frequency more interesting/enjoyable on a melodic level than Road, and I still haven't listened to the new one. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 14 2019 at 20:28
It is easily twice as long as it should be. Nearly 2 hours of music is 99% of the time, too much. Optimal length for me is 35-55 minutes |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 00:12
strange as it's often the thing I like about them I've 'been' with IQ since they arrived in the early eighties. They were the only neo-prog band that impressed me. Punkish and uncompromising with a level of sophistication that rivals the best. The only thing missing was the production but that was sorted when they set up their own studio and record label GEP in the 90's and also helped the likes of Threshold and Spock's Beard . They are heroes of prog! As for the best albums (since 1993) it's a bit like Star Trek movies for me Ever 5 stars Subterranea 3 stars The Seventh House 4 stars Dark Matter 3 stars Frequency 5 stars The Road Of Bones (2 disc edition) 4 stars The Resistance undecided I've only listened to it twice but I do think it's better than TROB which, but for the second disc, would have been only 3 stars.
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Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 04:12
I would give all IQ studio albums at least 9 out of 10 (except for SSI98, which is "different"). The middle of Dark Matter dips a little for me. Two tracks on Nomzamo are weaker, but it's still one of my favourite albums of all time (first IQ album). TROB is a massive 5 stars, just for disc 1. It's completely awesome. But it took me a while to get there. Subterranea (first time I heard PN's voice) took me years to appreciate!! It's still too early with Resistance, but I currently find the closing track (Fallout, over 19 minutes) to be a bit bland (for IQ) - ie. it doesn't have any particular instrumental section (keys or guitar) which grab me like in all other IQ epics. But it's not a bad song. I also don't partcularly like the first 3 or so minutes of For Another Lifetime, but the rest of the song is fabulous.... I am a fanboy, I know it, and I don't care! For me, they're the best prog band out there
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 06:37
| It's good but it's not blowing me away in the way that Dark Matter did. It will drop down the ratings over time. |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 10:08
Possiby but I'm sure there are those who thought that about Wobbler and All Traps on Earth also.
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Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 13:11
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I'm still waiting for it to hit me in the manner TROB did. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 14:09
| Finally heard it. Decent album 3.75, predictable songwriting,the vocalist drives me nuts with his whiny delivery. The mix is very good. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 15:00
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^ I was looking at the ratings of it earlier and noticed that you'd given it four stars. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 15:21
| ^ Good eye. Had to round up. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 15:35
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To me four stars basically means, "Groovy, I really dig it", which is lower than five stars, "Hella Ace! Adore the hell out of it" and higher than three stars, "Good, but not really lighting my pipe on fire," two stars, "Not my bag, baby", and one star, "It burns! Mommy, make the bad music go away." ------------- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcp9fYc6K4IKuxIZkenfvukL_Y8VBqzK" rel="nofollow - Duos for fave acts |
Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 16:24
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I remember discovering them through then-fresh "Dark Matter" and being blown away! I still consider this album to be their absolute pinnacle - I know, imprinting and all, but still... Going backwards (not as far as the 80s) I sorta realized they'd been essentially releasing the same record over and over ("Ever" and "The Seventh House" both sound like "Dark Matter" prequels to me). Yes "Subterranea" is different, and yes I don't like it as much. Then they released "Frequency" and for the first time I wasn't as excited as I was hearing "The Seventh House" or "The Wake" - it was more of the same (aka "consistency"). "The Road of Bones" followed and again, these days I remember only its title track - this beautiful and haunting groovy ballad - while all other tracks sorta blur into this typical IQ-by-numbers mash. Now with "Resistance" they lost me completely - this 109-minute monster is like an AI programm designed to create an IQ-like music  All the elements are there, but I don't need elements, I need freaking SONGS! You could take any "loud" part and interchange it with any other "loud" part in other song (same goes for "quiet" parts), I doubt anyone would notice, maybe even the band themselves. Yes, they're consistent and recognizable but also disappointingly safe and dull as a result. And this is not about me discovering other music and moving away from Neo-Prog; this is about them being too busy toying with style and forgetting about the substance  6/10 Tales From the Lush Attic 8/10 The Wake 4/10 Nomzamo 2/10 Are You Sitting Comfortably? 7/10 Ever 6/10 Subterranea 9/10 The Seventh House 10/10 Dark Matter 6/10 Frequency 5/10 The Road of Bones 3/10 Resistance |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 15 2019 at 21:42
| I listened to road of bones and man, that album is so much better imo. Only heard disc one, is disc two worth it, I feel content with just what I’ve heard |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 00:39
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If we are talking about IQ perfecting a formula then I believe they did that with the track Further Away. If you listen to that back to back with The Road Of Bones then you will see what I mean. Basically they haven't innovated at all in 25 years and Martin Orford left the band (well one of the reasons anyway) because of the constant comparison with Genesis which reached it's zenith with Dark Matter ( Harvest of Souls = Suppers Ready and Sacred Sound = The Knife) . I've always loved the band because of the emotion which comes from the vocals and the wonderful lyrics (imo) . They don't say anything but they say everything. The biggest and most important musical change was the drumming on Frequency when Andy Edwards came into the band. He only played only the one album but he raised the bar. Paul Cook came back and he has been like a man possessed! Is this the same man? His drumming has been exceptional on the last 2 albums as well as the live recording of The Wake. Mike Holmes has always been one of the best guitarists and I have always liked Neil Durant since his Sphere 3 days. Tim Esau is very solid although John Jowitt is really the dogs gonads but I've never been that bothered about bass so it's not that important. Anyway it's very interesting to read all the comments so keep them coming!
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 02:56
 That's fighting talk sir.
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Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 03:12
I LOLed reading this...
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 07:32
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Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 16:43
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"but I've never been that bothered about bass so it's not that important." I showed that comment to my stepson. Be warned: he may be behind you with an iron bar at any moment. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: sukmytoe
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 16:51
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You know what I don't get? People who complain about album length being way too long. It's called value for money and more content for supporters and fans. If the damn album is too long for your attention span then play the damn songs that you like or make your own album out of the thing by editing. Holy Moly and my goodness. Well any excuse to bash an album I guess will do. It was too long and I couldn't sit through it - shame. |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 17:06
| It’s hard to stay focused for that long, and albums rarely stay interesting for that long either. There’s no big common theme between most of our top rated albums... |
Posted By: sukmytoe
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 17:14
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 16 2019 at 17:27
Supper's Ready and Gates of Delirium. The "battle" section is much more like Gates than Supper's Ready(even SR battle section).
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Posted By: Prog-jester
Date Posted: October 17 2019 at 09:31
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 12:24
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Am first listening now. This is as good as anything I have heard since 1975....the first two epics are hair raisingly good...not yet got to the third....anticipation is delicious... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 12:48
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And for f**ks sake...this is a prog web site. The next fooker who moans about 105 minutes being far too long should be forced to listen to dexy's midnight runners on loop till froth starts seeping from their eyes... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 18 2019 at 12:57
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And I have just got to the awaken piano piece...derivative? No fookin brilliant... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 00:51
 Yeah I was being very flippant to say the least and should take it back. Actually Tim Esau is a very fine bass player as well demonstrated on this album and also very notably on the track The Magic Roundabout from the Wake
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Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 11:46
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I ordered this yesterday. Ever since "Ever" I've made it a custom to always buy the next IQ album (when I can remember). ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: sukmytoe
Date Posted: October 19 2019 at 12:54
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You won't be sorry but it may take a few listens to really get to grips with it. I don't know that it tops Road of Bones but it's pretty damn close. |
Posted By: dauinghorn
Date Posted: October 24 2019 at 05:33
| I can't understand why this is rated so high... It's "Hi-Fi" music overfilled with FX sounds, uninventive chord progressions and a lot of autotune on the vocals. If this is Prog rock today, count me out. |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: October 24 2019 at 07:06
| It's ok. I prefer Road of Bones, Frequency, and Dark Matter. It sounds really good, well produced and played, but lacks in memorable songs. |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 24 2019 at 10:05
Depends what you want? Are you an avant garde officionado? If so I suggest listening to random farmyard effects CDs played simultaneously whilst living next to a busy railway station or motorway...also auto tune your saucepan and use a slightly heavier spoon to rattle it... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dauinghorn
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 06:39
No, I like music that sounds like it's played by musicians. This just sounds like a computer generated some default modern apocalyptic symphonic hard rock album. Just to compare... Listen to the latest Needlepoint album "Robert Reverie". That's great musicians playing together, making inventive, catchy and honest music, not just some big studio production with endless overdubs.
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 07:48
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^ so presumably you think that the IQ band members are all Thomas Dolby clones? I have added the suggestion into my purchasing list. However I have the new Opeth to listen to as well...but I suppose Mikael Akerfeldt isn't a proper musician either... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dauinghorn
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 17:00
He definitely is a great musician, but I don't love his music anymore. Damnation is a killer album, Heritage is OK, Deliverance has incredible moments. Maybe it's the modern productions I can't stand. I have "The Wake" by IQ on vinyl, and I like that record. But this new stuff... It just sounds computer generated. And the worst thing is the autotuned vocals. It just takes the humanity out of the music.
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Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 19:56
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I finally got around to listening to this. Being a 2-CD album, it's quite a challenge to maintain high quality over 108 minutes of music. I don't think this quite succeeds at that. The first three tracks on disc 1 are fantastic. It seems to slip for me with Alampandria, comes back with a nice return on Shallow Bay, but If Anything causes it to slip again for me. For Another Lifetime ends disc 1 on a good note, but it feels like it drags on a bit. A solid four stars for disc 1. Disc 2 is my favorite of the two discs. If they had released disc 2 all by itself, I think I would consider it the best album IQ ever made. At least at the moment. With repeated listens I might change my mind (as we all do). So overall, I think I would give it 4.5. I enjoyed disc 2 so much that I would round it up instead of down. I understand Nicholls' vocals can be an acquired taste for some. They are rather monotonic, but that style of singing clicks with IQ's music for some reason. I can't imagine the post-1980s IQ without Nicholls. It just wouldn't be the same. I think this album might be the best singing he's done for the band. Cook's drumming was also impressive. My guess is the PA rating will probably eventually land somewhere between 3.90 and 4.15 in another two years or so. I could be wrong. ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: October 25 2019 at 23:46
I totally agree about Disc Two and the comment 'it could be the best IQ album ever' . 4 perfect tracks and flows beautifully. The problem (if there is one) with IQ is that they only release an album occasionally (every 5 years or so) so I guess a double has became mandatory. Perhaps it's more economically efficient . I mean after all they have never made a ton a money out of it and it's almost a borderline hobby for them. And to address some of the previous poster's concerns about 'Autotune'. Pete's vocals are tremendous for me and I doubt they are autotuned . If so then where is the proof? He has a style. The main criticism of him in the past is of being too winey but he has got past that from Seventh House onwards imo. But of course there is no rule that anyone should like his vocal I would just like some substance behind a blatant insult.
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 03:05
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I definately think its a must for any symph fan. The use of mellotron is wonderful and the second disc will grow on me I'm certain to the point of being their best "ever". Deffo 5star++ release. The best release of 2019? Just pips the new Opeth and only the new flokis release can knock it off it's perch... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 05:45
| If anything sounds straight off of we can’t dance |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 07:26
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^ not heard that but IQ have always had a slower beat track (barbell is in)...No.genesis album had three epics...what is your point? ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 09:16
| Who is flokis? |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 10:31
That sums it up for me also......  ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 12:03
------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: October 26 2019 at 14:47
I’m saying it’s sh*t
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Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: October 28 2019 at 07:50
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I've been with IQ right from the start and have to say I'm pretty disappointed with this. I find a great deal of it to be extremely same-y. The Great Spirit Way is an exception - that's an outstanding piece of music and one I'd place in my IQ Top 10 almost immediately. A Missile is ok and the last track on disc one, easily the best on that disc, raises things a notch. The final piece on disc two is almost Awaken revisited. I love Awaken, my favourite piece of music of all time. I have no objection to adopting the style of bands past, but pretty much lifting the piece? No, I really struggle with that. The length of the entire thing is not an issue for me, only that the relative lack of inspiring moments in that entire length is a disappointment. Are they starting to miss Martin Orford's creativity? I suspect so.
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 02 2019 at 05:00
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IQ sort of always add a bit of classic prog to a track. I have no problem with dishing out "more of the same" if its playing what I like. The 2nd disc is brilliant for its entire length. The first disc is relegated to merely very good by the brilliance of the second disc. Its good that IQ are sticking to what they have done in tje past. The latest attempts by Pendragon to create prog metal are an example of NOT doing what you were good at... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: November 02 2019 at 09:17
Hmm.....Reading all these posts I'm still hoping to be hit in the face with "that was wow!!". As some of you know I am 99% vinyl so like the CD release that was delayed so was the vinyl version. Greg at Syn-phonic has received them and hoping to have my copy next week. It's a 3-LP set as is Road of Bones, i have ZERO issue with the length, it is a prog based band and songs so why would we expect a 55min album?? That's cra-cra!! I'm bummed it's not 200 min long  I think IQ do have a same-same sound on their albums, it does not bother me much as long as it keeps me interested and paying attention. Although this from Roj is unsettling.....ughhh! -------------   
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 02 2019 at 12:36
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^ aaah. Roj has loads of ambient trance in his collection. For somebody who listens to repetitive bass, drum and synth for hours, claiming the new IQ to be samey??? ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 03 2019 at 01:59
| IQ have trodden a well worn formula for a long time and as Barney mentions it would be a mistake to veer that far away from it. I'm enjoying it immensely and it will probably be my prog album of the year although that's from only about the 30 odd that I've managed to listen to. Neil Durant has added some interesting stuff on the programming side and kept some freshness in the sound from my ears point of view. The band are playing as well as I've heard. I must admit I never made the connection to Awaken for any of the tracks although I hear a much more symphonic style than before and a band that is totally comfortable in its skin. |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 03 2019 at 11:24
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^ The last track, when the solo piano kicks in. Uses very similar chord progression to the superb Awaken. I am sure that IQ are aware of their nod to an absolute prog classic and is similar to the similarities betwixt Harvest of souls and suppers ready... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 04 2019 at 00:04
| I've just remembered that it's not the first time IQ have nodded towards Awaken. One of their early classic tracks ..name that track? ( I would award a prize but this should be easy!) |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 04 2019 at 01:23
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Probably one off The Wake. Dans Le Parc Du Chateau Noir is a nod towards firth of fifth as I recall... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 04 2019 at 01:25
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The magic Roundabout? ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 04 2019 at 23:46
| Its a little guitar refrain right at the end of Widows Peak (if I remember right) although I now feel I should have a listen to be sure |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: November 05 2019 at 01:07
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it's good but it's not 4.40 good. |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: November 05 2019 at 18:31
Received in the mail today......It's an excellent album!! Nuff said... -------------
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Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: November 05 2019 at 18:40
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Too much to listen to right now, think I'll save it and unwrap at Christmas. ------------- |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 06 2019 at 00:05
a thing of beauty
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 06 2019 at 01:14
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How much was the vinyl? ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 06 2019 at 01:17
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Oh aye. Widows peak. I have so many cd's now its hard for me to auralise a song in my head. Especially one from a cd I've not listened to for several years... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: November 06 2019 at 10:42
It's a 3-LP set, $50 from Greg Walker. The black I think is $45........It's a real nice deep blood red in a tri-fold sleeve with digital download card. The synth bass is excellent, pressurizes the room nicely. Bones is a 4.5 on SQ, mix and production, this one is 4.0 a bit less on the SQ and mix but still excellent sounding record!  -------------
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Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 06 2019 at 12:28
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^ looks cool...The red vinyl even cooler... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: November 07 2019 at 06:11
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I'd just like to clarify that my disappointment was that from two full discs there was relatively little that totally blew me away. The Great Spirit Way however does just that. It's already one of their best tracks imho and possibly their best ever epic. It's a shame about the closing epic. That too is really good for the first 11 minutes. All is building for a great crescendo and then suddenly Awaken kicks in. The middle two tracks on disc 2 have certainly grown on me but I have to say disc one is a little underwhelming bar the opener and the closer. The 3 minute track is pretty good too but the overall impression is that disc 1 is very similar throughout, nothing really stands out. Just my two cents. I would place the last 2 IQ albums towards the lower end of their body of work. However, with Constellations and The Great Spirit Way they have produced two absolute classic tracks, right up there with the best they've ever done.
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: November 07 2019 at 09:04
I'm always torn between which I like better: "Gates of Delirium" or "Awaken." I've gone back and forth for years. Right now I'm in a phase that favors "Gates" cuz it blows me away, start to finish, every time I listen whereas I find myself kind of tuning out during "Awaken" after the "workings of man" organ section. Plus, I think of "Awaken" as Wakeman's attempt to one-up Moraz using the same format. Anyway, this leads to my point relative to this discussion thread: That last song, "Fallout," feels/sounds to me like a lift of the form and sounds of "Gates of Delirium"--which was then kind of reinterpreted in 1977 with "Awaken." Choose your poison: there is some serious YES familiarity to this song--too much so, which, as Roj says--and I share this opinion--makes it its failing. P.S. How can one tell if "autotune" is being employed? ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 07 2019 at 09:49
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^ however, every track will have similar tracks elsewhere in the vast amount of music produced in the last 200 years....I think it makes the track better as I like the interpretation of the yes classic. Disc 2 is awesome from start to finish... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: November 08 2019 at 13:40
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And anyway...The longest track alone makes it a 5 star release since its an epic which stands comparison with the epics of he past....more ELP influence than I first realised....I reckon the new keysman is an Emerson fan.... ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dougmcauliffe
Date Posted: November 08 2019 at 17:04
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Maybe I gotta revisit this one Especially since sillypuppy gave it a good review |