EVER - 2018 REMIX - 25TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION

I am finding it a little hard to comprehend that I am looking at the 25th anniversary 3 disc set of 'Ever', as I vividly remember it being released, and then hearing Martin play some of the album solo at Whitchurch. Back then it was an album that few of us ever imagined being made, as IQ's charismatic singer Peter Nicholls had previously left the band, and then a few years later the replacement singer Paul Menel had departed, taking with him bassist Tim Esau. No-one was really sure what was going to happen with the band, but with Martin stepping up to take lead vocals, Mike still there on guitar and Paul on drums, they brought in Les 'Ledge' Marshall (who had previously been in the pre-IQ band The Lens) and kept gigging. Peter came back to sing as a guest, but none of them expected it to be permanent. It was the sad passing of Marshall that brought the four friends back together as a unit, and the decision to continue. They of course needed a bassist, and looked to John Jowitt from Ark who has supported them in the past.

Recorded in March 1993, the album had a massive impact on the UK underground progressive scene when it was released, and it is still an incredibly important album in their canon (and one that I personally have loaded on my phone at all times). So, given that any IQ fan will already own this album, why would they go out and then purchase this three disc set? Because there is no option as to not to, that's why.

The first disc contains what is supposedly a remix of the original album, but in reality it is far much more than that. When the original recordings took place the band were limited to 24 tracks, but wanted more, so some of the keyboards were run live through MIDI, so they weren't actually on the analogue tape. Martin no longer had the keyboards he had played back then, so current keyboard player Neil Durant not only had to work out what notes were being played, but also what keyboards had created the sounds in the first place, and then recreate Martin's role in a way that it was indistinguishable from the original. Mike also used the opportunity to not only remix the album but to resolve some sounds that he felt weren't correct in the first one. So it is not just a remix, but a freshened up and revitalised version of the original album, 'Ever 2.0' as it were. It certainly sounds quite different to the original, with far more depth, vibrancy and balance, amazing was 25 years of technology (and experience) can bring to the sound. The second disc is a live performance of the complete album from February this year, which of course features not only Neil but bassist Tim Esau, who returned to replace his replacement John Jowitt.

Then it is onto the third disc, which is a DVD so that it can hold all the data. First off there are 5.1 surround sound mixes of the first two discs, then there are album demos, studio outtakes, unused ideas and rehearsals. For the fan this stuff is absolutely invaluable: the first place I went was to play "Unholy Cow" which was the song which became "Out of Nowhere", and it is fascinating to see how the song started and then progressed to the final version we all know and love.

There is a booklet containing the thoughts of all those involved, loads of photos, all housed in a full digipak. Having long been fan of the original album, all I can say is that it is unlikely that I will be going back to it, as this newer version is so much cleaner. With this release IQ were very much back, and it laid the groundwork for all their success through the Nineties and beyond. I was fortunate enough to see the guys play a few times in this period, and myself and Martin were in contact a great deal, and just putting this on and reading the notes has taken me back to those heady days of 1993.

'Ever' was at the time, and still is, an incredibly important album which any proghead must surely have in their collection already. However, the care that has been placed into this reissue makes this an indispensable release, which 25 years on has gained in power and vibrancy. Absolutely essential.

I cannot resist reviewing this 25th anniversary edition of the stunning IQ's Ever!

Because this remix is simply fantastic. The guitars are much more present this time reveling details which were in hiding in the original mix and everything sounds just clean, clear and beautiful. It is still a record made in the 90's, for sure, but it sounds just perfect yet.

Ever was always one of the best neo-prog albums of the 90's, along with others like Marillion's Brave and Clepsydra's Fears, but with this remix this album has maybe reached the top of the podium.

Best Tracks: it is not a weak moment to be found in Ever, really. However, Came Down is just my favorite IQ song!

Conclusion: this edition of Ever is the definitive one. The sound is perfect, crystal clear and this remix has achieved that the music sounds not so old fashioned these days.

That's was my main complaint with the original Ever, it sounded a bit old despite being a magnificent record. So with this remix I can finally give this great album five solid stars!!!

My rating: *****

IQ, JADIS, ASIA, BIG BIG TRAIN, ARK, ARENA and others, here are the few groups that speak to you and in which IQ members have also worked. IQ is one of the neo-prog dino bands that could have exploded even more than MARILLION if..... but hey, we won't repeat the past; good IQ it's prog because it's melodic, with a drawer, it's worked compositions that take you to the Charisma Label space, that of Lewis, of the rabbit, of the man in the hat. So if I put it in OMNI it's because it cleared the way for the next mega 'Subterranea', cult album more than UFO in fact, you follow me ok ... it's normal and the reason for this 'tip'.

1.' The Darkest Hour' begins quickly on synths to show the paw of the group; Martin indicates that he listened a lot and adored GENESIS, its freshness with ambient sounds of APSARAS; in short, Peter, whom many have decried, arrives with his progressive voice, he returns for the greatest pleasure after the Menuel getaway; the break is provided, complex, it reminds you that it took you time to integrate and ingest it, Mike's solo just what you need; brief delicate nugget. 2.' Fading Senses' in 2 parts, the syrupy melody and the prog incursion as one dreams of it, drum roll, gripping bass then the incisive guitar; the arrival of the nervous keyboard, the choirs, remember, it doesn't stop, the synth-guitar fusion, the oriental getaway in the background, a candy. 3. 'Out of Nowhere' connects, another progressive sign, the drums-synth on an obvious title of GENESIS, we are well inside. This heavy riff that made me prick up my ears 'at the time' in prog in the text, a proto-fusion prog metal before its time, don't forget it at the time when the progs snubbed the hard; that's said. The air on an 'Abacab' which goes to the countries that we all have in mind and that we hide from others. Small paradox in the progueux who thinks he has the best discography and who can't stand that the other next door speaks better about the group he venerates, in short. Genesis finale. 4. 'Further Away' for the big track that opens the B side for those who stayed on vinyl, it will allow them to put this LP on the turntable with a joint of CBD like in 'The Sons of Man'; consensual title for me, yes! Maybe because I'm always waiting for this obvious break that comes halfway through, diabolical with these explosions and this Wallian organ, with this Andalusian arpeggio, with Peter and his bucolic voice to the point that one would say a hit in another album; well I won't say more about this title, everything is sensitive, subjective, dreamlike and purely personal; and then I don't want some people to take my prog dreams and incorporate them, no but; only the final too long and redundant. Pearl for those who did not understand. 5. 'Leap of Faith' title in which I find the most sound of Gabriel, look at the clip it looks like his eyes inside. Well, I'm waiting for Mike's solo and I'm diving back into the sound of GENESIS 'Selling', anyone following me? Ok it's pure IQ too, good the guitar does its job accompanied by other instruments without showing off too much and Peter knows how to leave his place 6. 'Came Down' goes on, again not to let the breath fall, yes a little lame but isn't the goal to make you think about why and how this album is good? Title that comes in happy ending, a goodbye we had a good time together, like on the end of 'Wind and Wuthering'... remember.

IQ has signed an important album, pushing its limits to compose rare, beautiful, good, divine neo-prog, that's said. If there were to be only one, take this one, it smells like IQ, firm at the edges and creamy in the middle, yes that's also the zik prog, you can taste it. (4 at 4.5 for the original album).