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IQ - Subterranea CD (album) cover

SUBTERRANEA

IQ

 

Neo-Prog

4.01 | 759 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
3 stars This is a very difficult exercise : try and release a great double album.

If you look at the history of the giants, none to very few of them (IMO) were merely capable of producing masterpieces of that kind.

Take Pink Floyd with "The Wall" : lots of boring and useless numbers (especially on CD1), take Genesis and "The Lamb" : average tracks on side one : "Cuckoo Cocoon" and "The Grand Parade..."; very weak numbers on side three : "The Waiting Room", "The Supernatural Anaesthetist", "Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats", and "Ravine" on side four.

The Lamb still being my fave prog concept album of all times (but I rated only with four stars). I have listening to it hundred of times since its initial release, have seen it once performed by Genesis (you know, when they were five) and saw no less than four representations by "The Musical Box" which brought me back to the magics of the original show.

I believe that "The Who" were the only ones fully successful to create a double concept album with "Tommy".

So, what can we expect from "Subterranea" ?

In a way I fully agree with Gatot that this work should in factnot be compared with "The Lamb" but there are still some similarities that I will outline when then occur.

I have to say, that this work is pretty nice to listen to : very few weak numbers, but very little jewels as well. The album flows nicely and with no surprise till the title track which is one of my fave (and one of the few regularly on their live setlist from this album).

"Failsafe" might well be the first number having something to do with "The Lamb". Here and there some similarities in the keys with "Slippermen" but not too much, as well as some piano/vocals reminding the intro of "The Lamb" (the title track) but short as well. Nothing to do with "The Lamb" but towards the end (twice), the riff from "Watcher" is instantly recognizable as well. A good number after all which will also do a longer career in their live sets.

The emotional and sad tone of Peter (Nicholls) is wonderfully highlighted in "Speak My Name". A soft and gentle acoustic number full of melancholy (he's a melancholy man...). To compensate, we'll get some heavier attack with "Tunnel Vision". But this mood will be reverted to a short and welcome spacey section, full of lighness and inspiration. One of the first solo from Holmes as well (but there won't be many). Another highlight.

"Watcher Of The Skies" (what a great song !) is back again in the intro of "Infernal Chorus". This song has been re-used countless times by lots of bands but since it is one of my preferred track, I can not refrain from liking most of its derivates as well. The last trio of songs from disc one are a bit weaker, especially "King Of Fools". "State of Mind" being again a short but fully Genesis inspired number.

All in all, disc one is rather good but not grandiose.

Disc two holds some "transitional" tracks. "Laid Low" and "The Other Side" (but they are very short ones).

"Breathtaker" is a harder and less inspired song, as "Capricorn" but on the softer edge. With "Unsolid Ground" IQ is back in business but still does not reach the quality of disc one. The first track to do so is "Somewhere in Time", more complex than the five previous ones. Variations, good vocals and strong backing band. This is a pure traditional IQ song. Very pleasant, aerial at times while "High Waters" features a great second half and instrumental part (but it only last for a mere minute).

So, the hopes now rely on IQ's second epic song (after "The Last Human Gateway" on their debut album). "The Narrow Margin" will fortunately holds its promises. Emotional lyrics, brilliant vocal interpretation, very good guitar play. The whole band seems to be very much inspired. Due to its lenght (over twenty minutes) IQ will deliver some instrumental passages as well. I must say that in this ocean of lyrics, they are very welcome even if, at times, Genesis's fanthom is coming out (again "Watcher").

Disc two only works for two/three tracks.

Bearing in mind that both CD's only hold just over 100 minutes of music, IQ would have better been inspired to release a full lenght CD (you know like TFK, with 78 minutes of music). This choice was possible with the digital technology (not with the vinyl one). They would have released a better album, I think. I have read the story of "Subtarranea" and honestly it does not really stunned me. I am more confused than dazed actually.

Three stars.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 |

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