THE ROAD OF BONES

IQ

Neo-Prog

4.25 | 1400 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

FXM

For my debut review on Progarchives I have decided to select what is so far the outstanding release of 2014.

I thought IQ had reached the pinnacle of their career with Dark Matter. For me Frequency was a very good but a bit weaker. But Road of Bones is superb, in my opinion this is by far their best release to date. A five star review is something that should be give to only a very special album. There are too many discs here that are undeserving of the five star rating they receive but this is truly a masterpiece. This, their 11th studio recording, is the crowning achievement in a long career spanning 32 years.

Everything about this release is class. Good artwork, crisp clear production and superb musicianship. There is not a dull moment on the entire disc. The epic "Without Wall" is probably my favourite, it starts quite mellow and slow builds into one of those majestic sounding IQ tracks.

The other four tracks on the main disc are also excellent, there is a fine interplay of bass and drums, great keyboard work from the newcomer Neil Durant and of course Mike Holmes guitar playing is first class as usual. Peter Nicholls voice is in top form and he gives space for the music to develop. When I heard that John Jowett had left the band and was replaced by Tim Esau, their bass player from the 1980's I was a bit worried but my fears were unfounded and he has performed superbly

On the Special Edition they have added a bonus disc which could easily have been a release on its own. All too often bonus material is second rate but not in this case, the six tracks are all good, not a filler amongst them.

Unless something special is released over the next few months Road of Bones will be easily be at the top of my best of for 2014.

FXM | 5/5 | 2014-8-11

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