TALES FROM THE LUSH ATTIC

The bands first album proper(by that I mean first album available on formats other than just tape)is, debatable as it may seem, in all probability the most consistent piece of work the neo-prog veterans have recorded so far.

Whilst 'The 7th House', 'Subterranea' and 'The Dark Matter' have all proven to be excellent additions to the IQ discography, listen to them carefully and you will hear faint echoes of this previous masterpiece seeping through the very pores of the music, so important was thIS initial masterwork in setting up the journey ahead that lay in-front of the band in terms of musical evolution.

'Tales From The Lush Attic' was, amazingly, recorded in just under 4 days during August 1983, making the albums inception, creation and distribution all the more impressive considering the fish-mania and general Marillion-loving that was sweeping the UK, EUROPE and the good old U S of A. It was produced independently, on a modest budget, with little-or-no record-company support and featured none of the excessive instrumentation so beloved of their mentors from the 1970's.

All the band had was drums, voices, keyboards, Guitars and Basses.

No funky tron, no studio wizardry.

Just the band.

And the what a great album it is.

Album closer 'The Enemy Smacks' is the undoubted highlight, featring cosmic keyboards and some extraordinarily imaginative guitar-playing, but to choose a favourite is difficult; there is barely a dud-note to be heard.

IQ have gone from strength-to-strength in recent years('Nomzano' excepted) and for anyone curious about the bands beginnings, 'Tales From The Lush Attic' is a great entry-point to a fascinating group.

I look forward to their next release knowing that, if it shows half the invention shown here, then we'll be in for a real treat.

STEFAN TURNER, LONDON, 2008