Subterranea

Product Description
With a career that spans nearly 25 years, IQ remain one of the biggest names in the world of Progressive Rock. Getting their start in Southhampton, England back in 1981, IQ was often compared to two other great Prog bands from the UK: Marillion and Genesis. For years the band struggled to create their own identity and they did so by outlasting the glory days of Fish’s Marillion and Gabriel’s Genesis. Here again is IQ with their classic line-up of Peter Nicholls, Martin Orford, Mike Holmes, John Jowitt and Paul Cook.

A reissue of their 1997 concept album, Subterranea takes the listener through a linear narrative wherein one is made to question the role of man in society (and outside of it), while bringing to light other quandaries surrounding the notions of subjugation and individuality.

Subterranea,IQ,Inside Out U.S.,Neo-Prog,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Subterranea

Average customer rating:

IQ - Outstanding Double Concept Album
Some good work musically; vocals need support
Greatly done
A lesson in Neo Progressive greatness
Great ProgRock

Subterranea
IQ
Manufacturer: Inside Out U.S.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Seventh House
Dark Matter
Ever
The Masquerade Overture
Picture

ASIN: B0007R8FHG
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

Overture
Provider
Subterrenea
Sleepless Incidental
Failsafe
Speak My Name
Tunnel Vision
Infernal Chorus
King Of Fools
The Sense In Sanity
State Of Mind

Tracks:

Laid Low
Breathtaker
Capricorn
The Other Side
Unsolid Ground
Somewhere in Time
High Waters
The Narrow Margin

Album Description

With a career that spans nearly 25 years, IQ remain one of the biggest names in the world of Progressive Rock. Getting their start in Southhampton, England back in 1981, IQ was often compared to two other great Prog bands from the UK: Marillion and Genesis. For years the band struggled to create their own identity and they did so by outlasting the glory days of Fish's Marillion and Gabriel's Genesis. Here again is IQ with their classic line-up of Peter Nicholls, Martin Orford, Mike Holmes, John Jowitt and Paul Cook.

Customer Reviews:

IQ - Outstanding Double Concept Album.......2007-05-29

After recording the outstanding "Ever" in 1993 the band took four years to come up with their next opus. And what an opus it was. "Subteranea" is a sprawling two disc concept album that will instantly remind one of Genesis "Lamb Lies Down On Broadway". Although the album is broken into individual tracks the whole runs together as one long piece. I have never quite figured out the story, but that hardly matters when the music is as good as it is here. I would say that disc one is slightly stronger overall than disc two, but the whole album is strong. The music, vocals and lyrics continue to mine territory that IQ fans will already be familiar. Some of my favorite tracks on the album are the title track "Subterranea", "Tunnel Vision", "The Sense Of Sanity", "Somewhere In Time" and the 20 minute closing section "The Narrow Margin". Overall this is an outstanding IQ album and one of the better concept albums of the last 10 years. The band made a DVD of "Subterranea" performed live in its entirety which is well worth checking out. Peter Nichols shines in all his theatrical glory and the band plays flawlessly.

Some good work musically; vocals need support.......2007-03-23

This is my first IQ experience, and I was really looking forward to it. Too bad. At times brilliant musically, but oftentimes stuck in the same key from one song to the next. Good mix on instruments, but vocals too up front and get old pretty quickly. Sort of a cross between Jon Anderson and Geddy Lee (more the former, less the latter), it seems Peter Nicholls really needs some harmony behind him (a la the harmonies of Yes to back up Anderson, who's stronger to begin with). The melodies are often on the boring side, obviously added after the music and not adding much to the overlaying rhythms and root notes. In other words, no counterpoint, and nothing really to make it interesting. Perhaps, after a few more listens, Nicholls will grow on me, like Geddy Lee did. Or perhaps I will begin to tolerate his voice, while listening to the excellent musicianship surrounding him. Or perhaps I gained two coasters. It just seems like a little bit of bgv's would've gone a long way here.

Greatly done.......2007-01-16

Very interesting album from IQ, greatly done, sounds very good and great performance from the band. There is no weak moment, no filler, only great musical and lyrical melodies, sometimes complex, sometimes simple but always good. I am not a great fan of IQ, but curiously I have to admit that I like many of their album very much.

A lesson in Neo Progressive greatness.......2006-04-17

I don't use "greatness" to describe many bands or albums but IQ, who are still playing music 20+ years from their inception, create a dark and somewhat pessimistic double CD concept album.

The comparisons between IQ and Genesis are to a degree reverential and functional. Lead vocalist, Peter Nicholls sings with great emotion and on this album, sings his heart out. His voice has an occasional 80s style series of inflections that, for me, took a bit of getting used to. It was well worth it, as Nicholls is a showman, wearing makeup and costumes, at least he did in the IQ 20th Anneversery concert. More importantly he fits into character where necessary and has several styles of singing, not unlike Peter Gabriel, although by this point in time, around 2000, any serious attempt to snag PG riffs would be tacky. Instead, it's fairer to say Peter Nichols grew into his vocal style.

The rest of the band, the well traveled John Jowitt and Martin Orford, respectively bass and keyboardist have been part of IQ for most of it's history and have been part of the touring line-up of Jadis along with Jowitt playing a stint in the neo-prog pedigreed The Arena. Both are excellent musicians with Jowitt using the under-utilized string pops on bass. He does so in a way that is not dated like so many other bassists from the late 70s thru early 80s. The drumming of Paul Cook is steady and assured. His sound is tight, with tasteful beats and fills.

Guitarist, Mike Holmes, has made a career of learning every riff Steve Hackett played. To his credit, for the most part, Holmes has taken this style and moved on with it making it something that truly is his, and this man can play some incredible guitar. Both lyrical and technical, he is a consumate professional that chooses to play whatever is right for the song, even in spots he could let loose with a killer solo that would be inappropriate but acceptable in most post-1970s bands.

Working and knowing one another for so many years makes for a band that has a good feel of what one another ware doing, which brings us to Subterranea.

Tracks to give a good listen to include the trio of songs near the albums beginning, "Subterrenea, Sleepless Incidental and Failsafe" all three which travel in a stately way, yet find substantial ground and different, yet well developed stylistic changes. The literal feeling of progression is all over Subterranea, with the title track being almost anthemic in it's unsettling and moody way.

Many of the tracks seque, so you'll be doing some editing as you make mp3, etc. copies for your portable unit.

Another thing I don't say often but it applies here, I am stuck on Subterranea and find myself listening to both CDs worth of material, looking forward to the epic conclusion, The Narrow Margin.

Obvious comparisons are "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", Genesis, prog-rock in general and a bunch of labels that may fit to some degree, but in the end, Subterrenia is very much an IQ album with themes that have been established over their history.

Why should you take time to hear this? If like me, you got sick of prog rock and some of it's less than good features, like seeing who could record the longest, most complex song or indulge in 20 minute solos, and worst of all, attempting to fit in with commercial music and the so called New Wave and Punk which was every bit as idiotic as any other music form.

Basically it went like this. Bands come up with interesting ideas in reaction to areas of music that became absurd and didn't reflect the social or economic times of most listeners. That just about killed bands that had heavy concert draws, including Yes and Genesis. Suddenly it was as if there were rules for how 'revolutionary' you were. The hippie sensibilities and talk of love found in music like progressive were replaced by glib songs asking what love was and discussing the sexual revolution 2.0, this time including gay relationships and a seemingly endless discussions that lead to one person's perversity being another's hobby. Worse, the music that was going to save rock became as jaded and formulaic the instant the music industry adapted to this new musical standard, which would be repeated almost a decade later with 'alternative' music, which to this day is an endless morass of alternative to what?

And then there were bands like Marillion and IQ who held on to their anti-market and just made music. Lo and behold, they found audiences and still have fans. I didn't know of IQ 20 or so years a go unfortunately, but I do now and honestly, find them to be one of the more exciting bands in the neo-progressive field. Subterrenea was my first taste of IQ and I instantly felt like I found new friends! Their sound is classic for the kind of music they do, and besides being wonderful performers, if a bit kitchy, they sound the role, play the music with near perfection and are so sincere and happy doing what they do it is difficult not to root for them.

And it's worth rooting for IQ because they write catchy songs in the 4 - 9 minute range with one or two epic tracks per album. There is a big debt of musical gratitude to Genesis although IQ help to truly define the neo-prog genre. Their music, while complex and played as if the band's life depended on it, is also simpler in composition, lacking some of the near insanely complex writing and performance of bands like Yes, Genesis and Gentle Giant who exemplify the original progressive scene. If you listen to Genesis, even post Gabriel recordings like Wind and Wuthering, have structures that are worthy of orchestral arrangements and complexities rarely seen anymore. The same was true for Gentle Giant and particularly Yes who added the frenetic compositional style to an equally muscular performing style.

IQ, while wonderful performers don't work at this level of complexity. Still, to think they are watered down is a serious mistake. Every person in IQ is at the top of their form musically and in particular Subterranea demonstrates this.

So, putting everything together:
IQ are an institution in their own right and Subterrenea demonstrates why
The album's themes are somewhat obscured, most likely intentionally, but like old-school progressive, the lyrics raise interesting concepts and most likely are supposed to be a bit obtuse.
The energy and control the band plays with is wonderful. When listening to them, I don't feel like I'm being hit over the head with devotional riffs that are intended to remind me that the band can do the hard stuff.

I like the Flower Kings and like Paradox Hotel, their latest of this writing. They share many qualities with IQ, but they are the kind of band that likes to refer to their heros, which was fun on their first couple releases but is a distraction when it happens, which it sometimes still does. On the other hand, IQ own what the do. They may have influences and know how to play like the bands they were influenced by. They simply don't bother because they've become the sum of their influences and their own skills.

Subterranea is somewhat ghost-like with lingering sadness. Some of this may be from personal experiences and much of it, simply IQ's exceptional musical vocabulary.

It may take a couiple listens but it becomes evident that Subterranea is a masterwork, not only for IQ, but in general. It's a great introduction to the band and in my opinion is probably slightly lesser to their current album, Dark Matter which has a bit more in the progressive department and is even better produced and played.

The nice thing about IQ is their consistancy and their actual impact on the world of music, something bands like to hope for but in fact rarely happens. Between Marillion an IQ we kept progressive rock from disappearing. At 20+ years of making excelent music, it is time they were recognised by a larger audience. Unlike Marillion, IQ stayed the course on progressive music, another reason I admire them. If I were to nominate two neo-progressive bands it would be IQ and The Flower Kings, both at different polls of the progressive scale, with the Kings being a bit more explosive and IQ more composed within the song so that despite Mike Holmes' considerable guitar talents, they are similar to Genesis in that they are heavily ensemble based compared to the stunning chops displayed by TFK and it's band members that are in a dozen or so extra-carricular bands and side projects. And while I still enjoy Marillion, I'd say they are one of the better rock outfits that h ave strong ties to progressive music.

If you somehow missed IQ as I did, take the risk on Subterrania. It is a wonderful album that asks many questions and deals with the human condition while doing so over a crop of wonderfully written songs.

Great ProgRock.......2006-02-26

As a long time fan of Genesis early years music, it was a total revelation to discover IQ. The Subterranea album is very good, with the best tacks being Subterranea, Capricorn and the Narrow Margin. My favorite is Sleepless Incidental, this is truly a 'classic' prog piece, with lush soundscapes, chord and tempo changes and everything a piece needs to be enjoyable.
Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Of A Mixed Mind...
An high IQ in music
BEST CONCEPTUAL ALBUM SINCE "THE WALL" AND "THE LAMB "
Outstanding conceptual album!!!!
Vacation in Subterranea

Subterranea: The Concert
IQ
Manufacturer: Inside Out
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

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ASIN: B00004Y39F
Release Date: 2004-09-13

Tracks:

Overture
Provider
Subterranea
Sleepless Incidental
Failsafe
Speak My Name
Tunnel Vision
Infernal Chorus
King of Fools
Sense in Sanity
State of Mine
Laid Low
Breathtaker
Capricorn
Other Side
Unsolid Ground
Somewhere in Time
High Waters
Narrow Margin

Album Description

1997 studio album from Britain's leading prog rock band.Over 100 minutes of music and a full color 20 page booklet.19 tracks, including 'Overture', 'Provider' and 'The NarrowMargin'. Double slimline jewel case. A Giant Electric Pearelease.

Album Details

Double Live CD from One of Britain's Perennial Progressive Rock Acts.

Customer Reviews:

Of A Mixed Mind..........2004-08-27

I usually only review movies (and that, rarely now since most are milktoast formula schlock). But I decided to do a few CD reviews. Mostly older stuff. CDs with a unique style, mostly Prog, and NO HairBands...

IQ is supposedly `legendary', which they may be in the U.K. Here in the U.S., they are quite the near-unknown underground stuff closet Proggers smoke a rope and nod to. While I enjoyed this CD very much, it splits me on what I appreciated.

I find Pete Nichols vocals to be more of a wimpy Ziggy Stardust style, while the instrumentals make me wish his voice was a bit reedier and more etherial. Perhaps more venturous into the Gabriel/Genesis and Fish/Marillian cut. He seems to over pronounce his lyrics, instead of letting them smoothly flow. Not that he doesn't have a decent voice (jeez, beats the hell out of Tony Banks) but the meticulous perfection of the instruments behind him really demand a bit more. At times he seems to strive for a bit of a Jon Anderson (Yes) sound, and that very well may be.

The music itself is tight, tempting toward the instrument style of Hackett/Banks/Rutherford, but staying its own course. Judos to Pauld Cook who does a great Prog jog of changing drum beats to create a different sound. Holmes and Orford create rock-to-etherial tranfers nicely.

As to the songs. `Overture' (NICE!) and Infernal Chorus are my fav's. The rest roll nicely but seem a bit...well...TOO perfect.

I AM glad I bought the CD. It will set my mood as I go cross-country on my touring bagger (Motorcycle) Perfect for the morning hours and a slow wake up.

An high IQ in music.......2003-12-14

Note: I have the studio version

Disc one
Is simply incredibly good. First "Overture" title that I really like (It's about time!). Guess where the band Arena got their inspiration for song "Butterfly man" answer: IQ Overture . "Provider" is beautiful with mostly etheral singing and conduct us, to magnificient "Subterranea" that has the Rickenbacker bass sound that I like (cheesy low-tone metallic sound). The more we go on the album the better it is and my peak is on "Infernal chorus" then it goes down after.

Disc two
Is excellent but a different identity. I think they have listened a band called Iluvatar (album of 1993 and 1997) to write song "Capricorn" and "Unsolid ground". Nevertheless they are awsome songs anyway.

I find beggining of "Somewhere in time" sounds like an Alan Parson's song. Sorry to say "The narrow margin" song is boring zzzzzz...

Concept on disc one is done so intelligently.

BEST CONCEPTUAL ALBUM SINCE "THE WALL" AND "THE LAMB ".......2003-09-08

In my humble opinion, IQ is one of the most underrated Progressive bands ever. When you examine this album you will find out that they are just as prolific or better than some of the top stablished bands. SUBTERRANEA is from any musical and teahtrical point of view a landmark in the progressive rock scene. I dare to compare it, without hesitation, to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Genesis's "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway". At least it causes in me the same feelings of awe and pleasure as when those other albums were first published.Do not pay attention to some of the detrimental comments by some of the so called "critics". Just get the CD's (or even better the PAL DVD from Giant Electric Pea, if you have a capable DVD player) and listen to it. Over 30 years of my experience of listening to Prog-Rock backs up my opinion. You will not be dissapointed but amazed by it.

Outstanding conceptual album!!!!.......2002-11-10

Luego de escuchar Subterranea en Directo tengo que concluir que IQ està a la altura de Mostly Autumn, Porcupine Tree y Spook's Beard. Martin Oxford en los teclados, asistido en ocasiones por Mike Holmes recuerda a Tangerine Dream en su mejor època.Paul Cook cumple con creces en la baterìa y John Jowett maneja el bajo a su antojo como Holmes la guitarra. Todo esto conjugado por la voz de Peter Nicholls resulta una experiencia monumental. Los dos CD'S no tienen desperdicio y afirmo sin reservas que es una de las mejores bandas progresivas en la actualidad.

Actually, IQ is one of the top progressive groups today, like Mostly Autumn, Porcupine Tree or Spook's Beard. Martin Oxford plays Keyboards sometimes backed by Mike Holmes produces a wonderfull sound that reminds me Tangerine Dream at their best. Paul Cook do a fantastic job at drums. John Jowett is magnificent with the bass guitar like Holmes with the lead guitar. All this sounds played with the voice of Peter Nicholls produce an unforgetable moment. Both CD'S are outstanding and without a doubt IQ sounds like 1,000,000 IQ points

Vacation in Subterranea.......2000-12-17

I happened to be at the concert this was recorded from. Let me just say it was an increadable show and, although not nessisarily my type of music, this band and especially this CD is haunting. A year later I find myself still thinking of it. If you like VAST you'll like these guys.

Average customer rating:

Subterranea: the Concert
Iq
Manufacturer: Inside Out
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album Details

Bonus DVD is PAL format

Average customer rating:

Green Eyed Demon
Vond
Manufacturer: Extreme Subterranea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000O1MP12

Product Description

1. My Dying Day 2. Living Among the Remains of Dead People 3. Satan At My Back 4. To the Dreamer Dead and the Dreamer Dying 5. Beyond Hope: Hell Starts Here

Average customer rating:

Humachine
Subterranea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000SKL74A

Product Description

1 Let It Out 2 Sangre, Sangre! 3 Cold War 4 I am not crazy 5 Memories 6 Take Control 7 Rusted Soul 8 Don't Follow 9 Misery 10 Che

Average customer rating:

Soledad Brother
Subterranea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000FTBF9Q
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Tracks:

Propaganda
No More Mirrors
Excess Baggage
Pennsylvania
Halo
Country
Turn Tail Run
Pulqueria
Skin Box Tight
Hidden Track

Average customer rating:

M. Subterranea
Steven Miller
Manufacturer: Robi Droli / Newtone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004VJYY
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Average customer rating:

Subterranea
Ken Field
Manufacturer: O.O. Discs
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Space in a Place
Om on the Range
Takuskanskan
Five Saxophones in Search of Meaning
Sanity
Perpetual Motion
Thoughts Unspoken
Berrendo
Sympathetic Magic
Missing Soul
When I Fall in Love

Average customer rating:

Subterranea
Iq
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002XNCLE
Release Date: 2004-01-06

Album Description

Average customer rating:

Radio Subterranea

Manufacturer: Static Discos/Darla
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000TXNK9G
Release Date: 2007-09-11

Album Description

Spanish technopop duo Ciëlo are back with Radio Subterránea, a collection of remixes and outtakes off their debut Un Amor Mató El Futuro and their recently released Paraíso Vacío album. Mario and Cocó, the duo behind Ciëlo enlisted a top team of remixers to work on their elektro inflicted pop, amongst them: ISAN, Fax, Ascii.Disko, Electronicat, Seekers Who Are Lovers, Gabriel Lucena of Entre Ríos, Tape, Celluloide and Jeans Team. The album also includes three unreleased tracks. The concept behind the collection is to serve as an homage to 80's underground radio in Latin America where at least in Peru, where Mario and Cocó ara originally from, electronic music radio programs where truly an underground phenomenon. All elektro digital DJ's should take note that Radio Subterránea will sit nicely alongside those new releases by Kitsune or Ed Bangers, as this collection finds Ciëlo delivering some of the best banging tunes out there.

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