SEVEN STORIES INTO 98

Released in 1998 this two disc set features the original recordings from 1981-82 called "Seven Stories Into Eight" and then the re-recording of these tracks some 16 years called "Seven Stories Into '98". The one interesting thing for me was that there were no vocals until almost 3 minutes into the third track. I'm such a big Nichols fan but then these tracks originally were from the early eighties where Peter wasn't as much of the focus perhaps. The opener and closer are excellent, the rest hit and miss. Actually that closer on the re-recording is an incredible track called "It All Stops Here" and it's so powerful with some very upfront bass which for me was the highlight of listening to this 1998 album. The guitar was really good too but I didn't like the sound of it to start that fourth song, a medley of two Christmas songs which brought to mind the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. "For The Taking" has lame lyrics that are supposed to be funny and the acoustic guitar doesn't help. I love IQ but 3 stars is all I got for this unique release despite some real highs.