THE ROAD OF BONES

I do like quite a bit this neo-prog group, as numerous of their CD are nice to my ears, with a very good production and very well constructed music. I did not review or scored all those CD I have, but I consider IQ as a solid group from quality-side, and they might be in my Top-10 or -12 as an overall good prog-music. When I saw the very high scorings this CD received at first, when it was in the Top-20 all-time (!), I went thinking as they delivered something special. From the recent years, I saw "Subterranea" their best before, followed quite near by "Dark Matter", and it could well be possible that this one would get a high score.

Well, when I listened to it the first times, I said it was very good, at that time not clearly better than those cited above, but close. After 4-5 more listens, I started to understand !! This double CD is a real, true, incredible masterpiece !! It is all a question of "ambiances" and feelings started, elaborated, constructed, and concluded in a master fashion. Plus the marvelous and unique voice of Peter Nicholls who enters at the right moment to consolidate the atmospheres. I am impressed. The first time this time-construction appreciation builds like that, for any CD's I have (a few hundreds...). I even saw the group "live", it was before I considered putting a "5-stars" score... And it got me when I turned my ears to the atmosphere created, which was also there in their concert, only realized afterwards. Strange, but it went like that.

The sound is top-notch quality, perfect, the experienced musicians incredible, M. Nicholls at his best. And the 'ambiance' is always present, on every song, like a concept idea that spreads from the first minute to the last. Further, it is a double CD. And the qualities enumerated are also on the second one; it is a rare feat that every song, on a double CD, are good and more, but they have done it. Signaling a preferred song is difficult, but "Without Walls" would be the choice, representing in one song the special feeling this album gets on you. The synthe solo at the end brings back what the piano does at the beginning, and the "voice" sound is amazingly at the right moment, creating a "climax" ! Of course, some moments are very calm (too much, for certain fans), but it is part of this type of atmosphere creation, and if you put yourself in the mood to go for every song in their entirety, you will be involved in it.

"The Road of Bones" is certainly a true masterpiece to have, no less. I am first a sympho-prog fan, but this neo- prog creation is perfect to my ears and for the sensations it delivers. A must-buy CD ! What a nice surprise. The best of 2015.