IQ - The Road of Bones. 2014 England

And so now we arrive at IQ's most ambitious album to date: The Road of Bones. 30+ years after debuting on the scene, IQ have remarkably not only stayed true to progressive rock (not considering the middle 80s missteps), but are the rare breed to continue to actually progress, thus living up to the genre name. Perhaps most surprising is that the lineup for The Road of Bones is a major upheaval from their last Frequency album. Whereas that album was the least looking IQ lineup, with only founding members Michael Holmes and Peter Nicholls on board, on The Road of Bones these two are rejoined by the original rhythm section of Tim Esau on bass and Paul Cook on drums. It's been over 25 years since Esau was in the band, and yet he fit like a hand in glove. And not only that, but Mark Westworth's position as keyboard maestro lasted for one album, and here he is replaced by Sphere3's Neil Durant - who to my ears is probably the best choice yet for IQ, given his preference towards analog equipment. You won't miss Martin Orford (really). The album has been presented as a single, or a double, depending on one's budget I presume. It is important to note that this isn't a one album CD, with archival bonus material filling out the second disc - or some novelty item of IQ covering classic 70s rock. No... It's a double CD filled to the brim with classic IQ music. So if you do decide to get the one CD version, you'll end up with half the album. I don't recommend that to anyone. No matter your budget, wait a bit and save up the few extra dollars, and buy the CD in its full glory. You'll want it eventually anyway. I haven't spoken yet about the music, and not sure I need to. There are 100's of reviews out there already dissecting each note, theme, lyric, and purpose. This tells me IQ is bigger than ever, and the world is a better place for thinking that way. Sure, for purists not everything is "just so", and IQ utilizes too much metal, or electronic, modern production techniques, bla blabla bla bla. And yea, Nicholls sometimes has to sing a novel, and doesn't shut his yap. But the music is absolutely identifiable as only IQ. No one else sounds like them, and their music has a depth that allows for multiple listens, and new discoveries await at every turn. I found it hard to pick a favorite song, as each one was of a high quality. In some ways, objectively speaking, this is IQ's finest hour.... err 2 hours (so yes, they have one upped Frequency). For me, my life is inextricably linked to their first two LPs, and they likely will always be my favorites. If coming at this band for the first time (is that even possible?), then start here and absorb the album in full before launching into their deep catalog. For me, IQ can do no wrong. And I hope we hear from them again in the next 5 years (or sooner, eh guys?).

Personal collection
CD: 2014 Giant Electric Pea

The 2 CD version... of course. Comes in a superb thick tri-fold digipak.

12/30/14 (new entry)