Reviewed by Ian Oakley.
Giant Pea – GEPCD 1024.
Now I have to be somewhat controversial here. Personally, I think the best album that IQ have ever produced is the criminally underrated "Are you sitting Comfortably" and that the much lauded "Subterranea" is one of the most boring exercises in stretching weak themes to beyond their natural limits that I have ever heard. Don’t get me wrong I like IQ. I've been seeing them since their support first gig at the Marquee and have a copy of almost every thing that they have recorded. But the best thing that can be said about the band is that although they are exceedingly good at what they do, they are possibly the most derivative of all the current major progressive rock bands on the circuit.
So it was with some trepidation that I embarked upon reviewing this album.
The album itself is a collection of tracks that have either been surplus to album requirements (two tracks from Subterranea sessions) concert give-aways/ fan club only releases and radio sessions.
Presented with a very informative booklet by Tony Lythgoe including Lyrics / Band history / Photos and comments on each track by the current members
The Universal Scam – Good opening track. It is a great shame that this was left off the Subterranea album as it is one of the most interesting pieces I have heard from those sessions. A lovely strident riff develops at the end that shows IQ at their best.
Wintertell – This early IQ track, left over from the Tales From The Lush Attic sessions, could have come straight off Genesis’s Trespass sessions. Definitely not a track to play anyone that accuses IQ as just being a Genesis clone producing 17-minute tracks concerning Hobbits (thank you Mr Wilson).
The Last Human Gateway (middle section) - One of the Gems in this collection a reworking of the middle section of an old IQ classic. The haunting acoustic opening builds gently into one of Mike Holmes fine guitar breaks.
Hollow Afternoon - Recorded January this year a reworking of a free single that was given away at the Marquee in 1984. A somewhat predictable IQ ballad – Builds gently them goes for the flowing guitar solo.
Apathetic And Here,I… - Recorded 1994 as a tribute to the late Geoff Mann (Twelfth Night) one of Geoffs songs that in this version is three times longer than the original. Another gem of this album. Simple melodies yet full of ideas. One of the best vocal performances I have heard from Mr Nicholls.
N.T.O.C (Resistance) – Originally a left over from the floor of the Are You Sitting Comfortably sessions where it should have remained. Pete Nicholls has re written the lyrics of Paul Menel (They were originally about making love with an Alien or something) Song in a bit of an amateurish heavy rock vein. And, unfortunately, here is the vocal "whining" sound that put me off much of Subterranea.
And that’s the problem I have with most of Nicholls vocals since he rejoined the band. The arrangements seem to be pitched too high for his limited vocal range. He’s ok on the ballads but the problem seems to be with the rockers such as this. I know of one American discussion group that after reviewing Subterranea now refers to him as "5 note Pete" or just "The Whiner".
Can I start "a bring back Menel" movement?
Eyes of the Blind – Another left over from Substandard. Haunting ballad affair
Barbell Is In – Very interesting track this. A 12inch "remix" definitely of its time (mid 80s. Ambient reggae anyone? I think I remember dancing along to this at the Marquee sometime…. Ah, those were the days…
The Bold Grenadier – One of only two Paul Menel vocal tracks on this album. IQ arrangement of a traditional English folk song.
My Legs –Three "stoned" men having fun with a large cardboard tube…Ummm… Why?
Fascination – The second Paul Menel contribution. Great up-tempo reworking of the Seven Stories track. Sounds like the band was really having fun with this evidently it was recorded while the band were auditioning the studio for later work on Are You Sitting Comfortably.
Hollow Afternoon – Recorded on a limited addition of 500 given away at the Marquee New Years Eve 1984. And played only once at that very concert. For IQ collectors an excuse to get this album for this track alone.
Then follow three tracks Awake And Nervous / Just Changing Hands / Widows Peak.
These must be IQ’s first ever professional records. Produced by Tony Wilson for Radio ones Friday Night Rock show early 1984. Wilson has really captured the live sound I remember from those early days. This version of Widows Peak is perhaps even better than the one that appears on The Wake.
Short sweet tracks full of ideas. This is what IQ are (were?) best at.
And just to round it off young Nicholls even seemed to have a vocal range in those days!
This is a very good starting point for anyone interested in IQ that wants to get a taste of what they do.
So for them, IQ collectors and anyone, like myself, that needs reminding how good they can sometimes be – This is the album for you! (Just a pity not more Menel – but I suppose you cant have everything).
Ian Oakley B.O.A Ink
Reproduced by kind permission of Alternate View 1999