IQ (Symphonic Rock band)

Fucking hell, what a great band this is! They were one of the first bands in the so called ''neo prog'' genre, along with bands like Marillion, Pallas and Pendragon. But I don't believe in the whole neo prog thing, I'd say they make symphonic rock comparable to ELP and tiny bits of Genesis. But believe me, this band is in a league of it's own. Superb keyboard work, drums and ok guitar work combined with the great lyrics and vocals by Peter Nicholls make this to be something special indeed.

I reckon most of their albums are essential but the ones they released this century are true masterpieces. ''The Seventh House'' is probably their best album and was only released in 2001, I have seriously listened to that one every day since I got a few weeks ago. While last year they came up with ''Dark Matter'' and unleashed another masterpiece upon the world. They are greatly overlooked which is a shame.

Most of them even have daytime jobs and do the band in their spare time. Had they been a band in the 70's we would have thought of them as being one of the greatest progressive bands ever. Along with Genesis, Yes and ELP. I'm sure of that.

Interesting that you mention Pallas. The original line up had Euan Lowson ( vocals) and Dave Taylor ( guitar)who were good drinking buddy's of mine at that time. I went to see the band on many occasions when they were starting out. I think they actually were called Rainbow ( no..not the Richie Blackmore rainbow) and I think I still have their first single kicking about the house somewhere.

That's interesting man. Though I must admit to not having heard any of their stuff but they are very high on my list of bands to check out.

They're alright. "Dark Matter," the only album of theirs I have, is good for the occassional spin. But to tell you the truth, IQ blends in with the numerous other neo-prog bands for me.

Which bands are you referring to? There aren't a lot neoprog bands around really. This band is something special man. They shit all over The Flower Kings for sure.

There are many neo-prog bands. Just look up a label called "InsideOut"...about 70% of that is neo-prog (it happens to be the label that IQ is on). But they, of course, have their non-neo-prog exceptions...Devin Townsend, Paatos, OSI, Ayreon.

But hey, whatever floats your boat...I'm not going to slam IQ unless you provoke me.

I`m checking them out right now on progarchives.com free introduction downloads.
Doesn`t sound like anything special to me, but VDGG sounded just the same at the first listening.
I can tell something about them only after a few days of listening. Yes, these things take time...

I know about your weird issues with bands that use elements from 70's prog rock. But IQ uses enough own ideas to have their own identity. And what the **** does it matter anyway, they are outstanding musicians and their compositions are nothing short from brilliant. Whether they use elements that were done by The Spice Girls, ELP or Genesis, it's irrelevant as it should be. It's just fucking great music, simple as that.

EDIT: To oomt.

Don't be rude.

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. And yes, I happen to enjoy fresh, original music. I've got a fair amount of Yes and Genesis already...

I just need some more listening...

Oh, and I started to think about my view on 70`s prog...

You mean yours is the same as his? It's bollocks really to call every symphonic rockband there is today a Genesis or Yes rip off. They were one of the bands that started the genre. And IQ is just one of the bands picking it up. Of course they have passages that may sound like a 70's prog band but that's just because they're in the same genre. You act like bands today should not be allowed to make symphonic rock anymore because they would ''rip off Genesis or Yes''. IQ is a brilliant band, that's all there is to it. The fact that they are able to write and compose songs to this standard is just amazing. You act like neoprog bands are cover bands, that´s fucking bullshit. All of IQ's songs are unique and were not done by any band before ever. Same goes for Marillion where we had endless discussions about also.

No.

So you agree with me? No seriously, what is your ''view on 70's prog'' then?