TALES FROM THE LUSH ATTIC

Pouring through the back catalogue of IQ during isolation is very therapeutic, the music is so uplifting and passionate. This debut is all killer, no filler and for a debut its absolutely outstanding on every lever. Peter Nicholls voice is dynamic and the musicianship is masterful. Tales from the lush Attic is a Neo classic, released the same year as Marillions best album Script for a Jesters Tear, can you see how ironic that is. The IQ albums to follow in the 80s were nowhere near this complex and accomplished.

Both Marillion and IQ demonstrate strong influences of Genesis and at times Nicholls channels Gabriels inimitable style it can be said. However IQ stand alone as definitive prog masters, one listen to the 20 minute epic The Last Human Gateway will be evidence. What an incredible magnum opus and still being played in recent concerts in its entirety. It even has a 7/8 time signature in one section circa Apocalypse style, and bookends with lush keyboards and fragmented drums in its odd time signature.

The other tracks are an odd assortment including a piano solo and heavy guitars in the glorious Awake and Nervous. The last track The Enemy Smacks is a masterpiece with a wild, abandonment of guitars, keys and time sigs.

So unexpectantly I find myself giving the very first IQ release 4 stars. They are simply one of the greatest prog bands out there, make no mistake.