Kindness of Strangers

Spock's Beard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B000006NWM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,667 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Good Don't Last: Introduction/The Good Don't Last/The Radiant Is

2. In the Mouth of Madness

3. Cakewalk on Easy Street

4. June

5. Strange World

6. Harm's Way

7. Flow: True Believer/A Constant Flow of Sound/Into the Source

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spock's Beard rules contemporary prog rock, November 12, 2000

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kindness of Strangers (Audio CD)

I must admit I am a complete Spock's Beard sycophant. I love everything they have done. The Kindness of Strangers was the first album I bought by the Beard, and it honestly changed my life. I wondered, "Can music really be so perfect?" I love the way this band brings together Beatles-like pop sensibilities with epic compositions and stunning musicianship.

While some criticize Spock's Beard for a supposed lack of originality, I think there is nothing like them. Obviously, they are strongly influenced by the progressive greats of the past, but they achieve a remarkably effective synthesis of 70s prog rock and modern sensibilities. The result is a sound that is appealingly familiar and excitingly fresh all at once.

This being my first Beard album, the opening track, "The Good Don't Last", was the first Beard song I'd ever heard. I was shocked. The musicianship is quirky and melodic and classic, but what really got to me was how catchy the song was. Neal Morse, the main songwriter, has unmatched ears for melody. I was singing along before the song had ended. No doubt the most hook-laden 10-minute song ever. (Or so I say!)

There's other highlights too. "June" is a mellow acoustic song with beautiful vocals; "Harms Way" is dynamic, somewhat jazzy, and charged with some emotional parts; "Flow" is epic, stately, intensely performed, and catchy. It's all outstanding, really. Perfect, even.

I hope you enjoy it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best new progressive rock band in years!, December 5, 1998

By 

Carlos Baez (Roswell, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kindness of Strangers (Audio CD)

What an incredible album! If you are an old Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant, or ELP fan, you owe it to yourself to pick up their entire catalog. Majestic compositions awash in Mellotron and Hammond B-3 orchestrations, with angelic vocal harmonies, searing guitar, and an awesome rhythm section led by Genesis's current touring drummer Nick D'Virgilio. Unlike other neo-prog bands, SB knows how to compose a great piece of melodic, catchy music that is also intricate and challenging. Those of you who like music that is more than 3 chords or cookie-cutter pop will be delighted with Spock's Beard.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Progressive Rock Is Here To Stay, November 22, 2004

By 

A. Calabrese "othernj" (NJ--United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kindness of Strangers (Audio CD)

I was cruisin' Amazon looking for some YES albums when I came across a recommendation for Spock's Beard. Being a baby boomer fan of YES, ASIA, King Crimson, and Genesis I lament most of the new bands out there. Green Day and Nirvana never really did it for me. The Kindness of Strangers is my first Spock's Beard CD purchase. This is a great album and very reminiscent of YES during the Bruford Period with a tinge of Genesis (before Phil Collins thought himself a crooner.) I highly recommend the following cuts "The Good Don't Last," "Strange World," and "Harm's Way." The Kindness of Strangers is a good introduction to Spock's Beard.