Octane

Spock's Beard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B0006M4S6Y
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,296 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Octane is the 8th release from Spock’s Beard, the undisputed heavyweight champions of the new progressive rock movement; it also marks the second release by Spock’s Beard on Inside Out Music America as well as their second release after the departure of former lead-vocalist and founding member, Neal Morse.

Octane (as with Feel Euphoria) continues to show an evolution and marked growth in the Spock’s Beard sound. Still present are the trademark melodies, lush vocal harmonies and instrumental ferocity that elevated Spock’s Beard to the top rung of the progressive rock ladder. However, Octane sports a more aggressive and heavier sound. There is a new power and immediacy to their music which should help the band to further blur the lines which separate musical genres and cross Spock’s Beard over to new fans while also satisfying the expectations of their longtime followers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Their Best Effort, April 12, 2010

By 

Thelonious Punk (Minneapolis, MN, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Octane (Audio CD)

Although this disc has some tracks that are quite satisfying, overall this is another grouping of songs(like Feel Euphoria) where the band is continuing to get its post-Neal Morse sea legs. Another step in the right direction.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting music from the "new" Spocks Beard, December 12, 2009

By 

Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Octane (Audio CD)

I am especially glad that the band decided to forge on after Neal Morse left and find the music of the "new" Spock's Beard to be very enjoyable. In fact, Octane (2005) may very well be the finest album I have heard from this group and irons out the disjointedness of Feel Euphoria (2003). Although songwriters Stan Ausmus and John Boegehold are still on board, the inputs of the individual band members are more obvious. Like Feel Euphoria though, the overall sound brings together heavy alternative rock, the singer-songwriter approach, and the classic progressive rock style.

Though the singer-songwriter and heavy alternative rock influences are very obvious, I like the way elements of the classic progressive rock style are incorporated; especially on the lengthy "A Flash Before My Eyes" song-cycle suite that occupies most of the hour-long album. Whereas the approach was very contrived and forced-sounding during the Neal Morse era, the prog rock aspects are now a natural sounding extension of the music of the "new" Spocks Beard. Speaking of prog rock, Ryo Okumoto is a master on the Hammond organ and uses it very effectively; he achieves a fine "churchy" sound and his mellotron work is fantastic and is everywhere - it adds a lot to the emotional sophistication of this album, which is gloomy at times. There are also some fine instrumental breaks - these guys still play very well and their music is more sophisticated than before - they are not afraid to experiment with different sounds, chord voicings etc.

This version of the album features excellent sound quality and a very nice color booklet that features photos of the band members, lyrics, and recording credits. I also liked the production choices too - the volume of the bass guitar is not as loud and Alan Morse has backed off from the stadium rock guitar solos and uses different timbres and textures more. Although an enhanced CD, I have not made use of the layers.

All in all, this is a very good album by the group that indicates they have found a voice that is their own.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than Euphoria (3 1/2 stars vs. 2 stars), February 3, 2005

By 

"barrettwells" (Concord, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Octane (Audio CD)

I love the old Beard and thought Feel Euphoria was a big let down. Octane restores some hope, until you look at the sales rating. I think they may have lost a lot of fans with the departure of Neal. Octane has some of the similar background sounds as does Euphoria but the band stretches their sound nicely; it sounds less ecclectic and more flowing. Good to see a lot of material from Dave the bass player and less material from NDV. Good overall sound. I hope they continue to refine their Neal-less sound without overindulging NDV's hard rock wanabe-ness from their last time out.