A question about IQ and The Flower Kings

I've been raiding both of these band's discography lately, and having heard most of their music, I honestly think they should both be in the same subgenre, whatever that may be.

They both sound so much like 70's prog rock, and have similar arrangements.

The Flower Kings are from the 90's, whereas IQ is from the 80's neo-prog movement.

All of the "history" aside, musically these bands sound like something from the same genre.

I know that neo and symphonic prog go hand in hand a lot, but I think IQ is different from Marillion, but more like TFK or Spock's Beard. Especially since IQ has gotten heavier in their more recent days, and they sound even more like symphonic prog to me lately, where I think even their debut sounds symphonic.

Maybe I need to brush up on my history a little bit, but the time periods aside, these guys soud too similar to be in different subgenres.

^ You're right Pablo. First I wanted to say Jeff is right with his statement but you are both right in your own way. Where Jeff is right is in his statement that IQ is different form Marillion where the sort of neo is concerned. IQ is indeed more 70's oriented, or at least more symphonic. Marillion was more the trend setter for the real neo as we always have known it: Emotional vocals with lots of keyboards and guitar riffs.

Edited by progrules - June 10 2009 at 04:43

I'm extremely familiar with both bands both recorded and live - I've seen TFK 5 times, and IQ twice.

I honestly find it hard, especially for people who have seen both bands live, to see how both could be classified as being in the same genre. IQ are firmly in quite a narrow and limited neo-prog vein, albeit becoming a bit heavier lately (and they rock hard when they play live). The Flower Kings are all of that, but have so many other elements - they can throw in jazzy elements, they can have improv bits, they can dabble in bluesy rock stuff.

Put it this way, I reckon that the Flower Kings could, with only a reasonable rehearsal time, pull off a decent version of anything in IQ's catalogue. But could IQ handle TFK's repetoire? I think not.

As I say, I like both bands. But, for me, TFK - frankly - are a vastly superior band musically.

Neo prog is a totally meaningless concept. Marillion and IQ are classic symphonic prog bands (and brilliant ones, too), they just took up the baton when most other bands had dropped it.

Ahhh, two of my very favourite bands here.  TFK are presently my no. 1, whilst I have been a huge IQ right from the very start (I'm talking 7 Stories Into 8 here) and they are also in my top 5.

These two bands sum up just how great this music is.  Both produce symphonic prog of the very highest order, but to these ears they sound not the slightest like one another.  They are about as different as one can get in the same-ish genre.

I agree with previous posters thatthe difference between the two sub genres can be minute at times, and both of them play some of the best prog rock I have ever heard.

However, I tend to think of IQ as belonging to the second wave of prog (called neo-prog) that commenced in the 1980's alongside Marillion, Pallas, Twelfth Night et al, whilst I think of TFK belonging to a third wave which is predominently based outside of the UK.

As I say, though, the sub genre doesn't really matter - the great music does.

Roj M30 wrote: Ahhh, two of my very favourite bands here.  TFK are presently my no. 1, whilst I have been a huge IQ right from the very start (I'm talking 7 Stories Into 8 here) and they are also in my top 5. These two bands sum up just how great this music is.  Both produce symphonic prog of the very highest order, but to these ears they sound not the slightest like one another.  They are about as different as one can get in the same-ish genre. IQ emerged during the early days of neo prog (it was known as the prog rock revival back then!!) and so of course they are classed as neo.  I would describe their music as symphonic with neo traits.  They sound nothing like the other neo giants, Marillion, Arena, Pendragon etc who are noticably neo.  So really, IQ are symphonic but for historical reasons they will I suppose have to stay as neo.   However, whilst TFK are undoubtedly symphonic in the main they are also very diverse.  You will hear jazz, ambient and heavy rock in there. I note that there has been several suggestions to place TFK in eclectic.  I don't agree with that and would leave them as symphonic.   So I suppose I'd like them both to be in symphonic, but IQ will have to remain as neo due to their heritage.  I won't complain too much.   Thanks to Henk for the tip-off by the way.

progrules wrote: [   Excellent analyses from an expert !

It spiked there when Gildenlow joined. 

Clepsydra wrote: IQ are the greatest prog band ever! (besides Clepsydra  who are disbanded now) I tried to get "into" the FK but could not, as I am not a fan of jazz. The FK also sound (from what I have heard) so much like Yes, that when I played them for my wife , she asked "When did Jon leave the band?"