Beware of Darkness (Spec) [Extra tracks, Special Edition]

Spock's Beard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Special Edition
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B0001Z364Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,921 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Beware of Darkness

2. Thoughts

3. The Doorway

4. Chatauqua

5. Walking on the Wind

6. Waste Away

7. Time Has Come

8. The Doorway [Home Demo][*]

9. Beware of Darkness [Home Demo][*]

Editorial Reviews

Beware of Darkness takes us where The Light, Spock's Beard's ingenious debut outing left off. 'Beware of Darkness' opens this collection of gems with a mesmerizing swirl of keyboards and guitars. Neil Morse continues to develop as one of the best new prog --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A contemporary progressive rock treasure., October 14, 2000

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beware of Darkness (Audio CD)

Neal Morse -- the mastermind behind Spock's Beard -- is one of those rare, special people who has it all: a great ear for melody, a dazzling ability to compose great progressive rock songs, a great voice, a knack for writing memorable lyrics, and to top it all off he plays a mean guitar and he's a terrific pianist. With Beware of Darkness, him and the other members of Spock's Beard continue to create melodic and musically rich progressive rock.

I must say I'm uncomfortable talking about Spock's Beard in the context of a review because I can't possibly convey how much I like them. All I can really do is try and describe what they sound like. The band blends supra-catchy melodies with complex musicianship to derive a unique sound. While melody seems very important to the new wave of progressive music, Spock's Beard's pop quality sets them apart. I don't want to suggest that the pop-influence makes them sound pedestrian...rather, it enriches their sound.

Compared to the band's debut (The Light), which was fairly experimental, this album is more melodic and adopts shorter songs. There's lots of diversity too. The spiraling melodies of "Walking on the Wind" build to an emotional finale. "Thoughts" is purely quirky with its wacky instrumental interplay and offbeat vocals. "The Doorway" is one of the band's most cherished songs, with a killer piano opening, singable melodies, and a compelling acoustic interlude. "Waste Away" is a short rocker that is impossibly catchy, and "Chataqua" is a short acoustic number in the vein of "Mood for a Day". I think the album's masterpiece is the tragically underrated 16-minute epic "Time Has Come", with its slow-building melodic developments and incredibly complex production job (care of insanely talented Kevin Gilbert, RIP).

I hope you love 'em as much as I do.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beard at their Best., May 12, 2003

By 

The Wickerman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beware of Darkness (Audio CD)

Spock's Beard is quite simply one of the best bands out there right now. Every album they release has something interesting and unusual to offer, and this, their sophomore release, is certainly no exception. In fact, I'd venture to say that it's their greatest album to date (well, second behind "Snow", of course).

This album is just amazing. It is something so perfect, and so overwhelming, that it's nearly impossible to describe. I can sit here and try to explain to you what these songs sound like, and why they are so incredible, but it would do no good at all. Ok fine, I'll give it a shot.

This album is probably one of their most mature efforts. While the wackiness that characterizes Spock's Beard's sound is present here, it is also a very emotional and somewhat dark album. The melodies are among their finest, and the musicianship among their best. The standout track is definitely "The Doorway", an 11-minute epic with some stunning piano and acoustic guitar work, and great vocals from Neal. Quite simply one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. The other two epics, "Time Has Come" and "Walking on the Wind", are also amazing. In fact, I would say that these three songs are about as close to musical perfection as you can get. Really. Other highlights include the insane "Thoughts", the beautiful acoustic instrumental "Chataqua", the melodic "Waste Away", and the attention-grabbing title track. Yes, I know that was the entire tracklist. Every song on here is a highlight.

Simply put, this is one of the greatest albums I have ever heard. Absolutely mandatory for fans of progressive rock.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second album from top American prog rockers., March 30, 2004

By 

Dr. D. B. Sillars - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beware of Darkness (Audio CD)

Spock's Beards first album, "The Light" was always going to be a hard act to follow. That album was a bold first statement from these American prog rockers. It's four tracks, three over 12 minutes in length, mixed the classic prog sounds of Yes and Genesis with the bands own already well developed style. That album firmly established the band from the outset. This second album didn't try to repeat the formula but included shorter as well as the lengthier pieces. Although not as audacious as that first album, Neal Morse's songwriting never fails to impress with strong melodic ideas. This is more of a full band effort, with keyboardist Ryo Okumoto now fully integrated. They effortlessly tackle the vocally and instrumentally complex "Thoughts", the first in a series of Gentle Giant inspired pieces. The lengthy "The Doorway" is classic Spocks' Beard, beautifully developed over it's 11 minutes plus. Particularly pleasing is the almost radio friendly "Waste Away" with it's very catchy chorus. This remastered release is part of InsideOut's re-issue of the first three albums and comes handsomely packaged. The booklet includes insightful notes on each track by Neal Morse and a couple of demo versions are included for completeness. Easily recommended to anyone interested in progressive rock.