How to re-release an album: a case study
I have boxes of “Deluxe Edition” re-releases up in the attic. Some wondrous boxes – the Stone Roses, Derek and the Dominos, Screamadelica – that cost a fortune, and many many releases that give you the original album plus maybe a live radio concert (that I probably already had in bootleg form). I love them nonetheless. Occasionally, a reissue-remaster-deluxe edition comes my way that is so good, it is frightening. Step forward IQ.
IQ, like Marillion, started in the 1980s, and carried the continuing torch for progressive rock. Although journalists have called them “neo progressive” – that title seems ludicrous now, considering that the progressive scene was still alive, though on its last legs at the time. If you like early (Peter Gabriel era) Genesis – then you will like IQ. Their most famous record is “The Wake” – and this usually appears in “best of” lists of Prog albums. Recently, however, their first album “Tales from the Lush Attic” was re-mastered in deluxe format, and what an item of beauty it is.
Like many young bands, IQ had no money and no recording contract when putting together their first album, but they got a good deal for a 5 day studio stint in 1983. The product, “Tales..” was a little rushed and rough around the edges. So, last year, Michael Holmes, the band’s leader, got the original master tapes and remixed and remastered the album. The liner notes are wonderful, explaining in detail how each element of the process was conducted, and why this new version, while faithful to the original, more accurately reflects the original vision. Importantly, he explains the true utility of Pro Tools for the mixing engineer.
The product comes in a hard cardboard folder, with a lovely internal color booklet of photos, lyrics and liner notes. The album sounds wonderful, and, along with a variety of bonus tracks, comes with a DVD full of video (the whole album live in 2011), photos, MP3 files (original album plus demos audio commentary – just loads of stuff). It cost me 9 pounds on amazon uk – bargain of the year I would think. This IQ release is an example of a really good product produced by a band who care about their fans and want to give them something to treasure and value for money. When you look at the overpriced shoddy crap that was put out by Pink Floyd last year (the “Wall Immersion Editon” really got up my goat). Highly recommended….must order “The Wake” now.
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