Customer Reviews

Spock's Beard

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been an enormous fan of Spock's Beard for years, and I have been a bit disappointed with the band's output since the departure of Neal Morse, who seemed to be the creative powerhouse of the band. After one solid album ("Feel Euphoria") and one fairly bad album ("Octane") since Neal's departure, I was beginning to wonder if the Beard was still capable of attaining the glory of such albums as "V" and "Snow". Thankfully, with this self-titled release, the answer is a resounding "yes!"

The odd thing about this disc is that track three, "Is This Love" is actually so bad that I wonder why it is even on the disc. Apparently I was not the only one who noticed, since other reviewers have made the same remark. I still give this album a perfect score, because every second of the rest of the album is just superb. Any fan of modern progressive rock should own this one....this was the most satisfying album in this style I have heard in years. Sophisticated arrangements, complex (yet grooving) interplay between the instruments, and even some wild experimentation with mood and texture that harkens back to the classic SB album "V".

Great musicianship, intelligent and emotive lyrics, and phenomenal performances from all band members....it would be perfect, if not for the inexplicable, glaring blemish of the hokey "Is This Love?"; which just seems so out of context when compared to the rest of the album....every last bit of the rest is compelling, innovative, passionate, and amazing. Awesome! The band has finally gelled into a lean, mean machine. Gentlemen, my hat is off to you!

....Let's face it, the departure of Neal Morse left a void in Spock's Beard that the remaining members have fought hard to fill ever since. There are no doubts or arguments about the significance of Neal's contributions with SB....he was the prominent singer / songwriter, and, quite frankly, the driving force behind the band. Well, he's gone on to a "higher calling" musically and produced some GREAT progressive style music with a message. However, with this release, it's time to give credit and a "pat on the back" to the guys in SB. This IS the album I have personally been waiting for from the band....and, from most of the reviews here, the one that has put them back on the Progressive Rock Map. Some reviewers have said that "this is NOT Spock's Beard"....."they shouldn't be calling themselves SB", Etc....Well I say Bullcrap! Sure Neal's signature vocals and song structures may be gone, but listen to the opening section of 'On a Perfect Day' (among others) and tell me that is not the Beard! These guys are back on top of their game musically and vocally...it simply took a few releases for them to find their new "voice".

I would say that 70% of this album embodies everything that originally turned me into a Beard fan many years ago....memorable compositions, nice vocals and harmonies and great musicianship from all involved. Now don't get me wrong, this is no 'Kindness of Strangers', but many of the songs are not far behind that great release in terms of memorable, quirky SB music. My favorites would be "All Thats Left", "Slow Crash Landing Man", "On a Perfect Day", "With Your Kiss", "Skeletons at the Feast" and the underrated epic "As Far as the Mind Can See" (which very well may be my stand-out pick of the album). As for the rest of the album, it's somewhat "hit and miss"....none of the songs are terrible, just unmemorable and possibly underdeveloped. I can personally do without "Rearranged", "Hereafter", "Sometimes They Stay..." and "Is This Love" (though its not as bad as some reviews would have you believe). All-in-All this is a strong release that gives promise of what may come from the guys in the future....I will be looking forward to it. Money well spent!

Spock's Beard eponymous CD, their third post-Neal Morse release, leaves me as conflicted and confused as the songs that make up this sprawling album. I'm a big fan of both versions of the Beard and I really want to like this album but after three releases I'm losing heart that the four remaining members will ever find their own definitive, unique and consistent sound.

This is one of those albums that ought to be really good, but because there is so much going on, so many musical directions and contradictions, that I wind up scratching my head wondering what the band has in mind or what kind of statement they were trying to make. It's like they didn't know themselves so they ended up putting everything on it and hoped the epic length of this album would make up for its lack of focus and direction. I'd rather have a tight and focused 45 minute CD than a CD that runs for 80 minutes and loses my interest. There are as many uninspiring or poorly composed tracks as there are good tracks.

Ok, here's what I like. I like the fact that Dave Meros has become one of their principal song writers since his body of work starting with Feel Euphoria is the strongest and most consistent since Neal left. I love the sounds that Ryo gets on this CD. He's really opened up his palate and has some of his best playing on any Beard CD. And as usual the sound is amazing.

Favorite tracks: On A Perfect Day, Skeleton's At The Feast, Slow Crash Landing Man, As Far As The Mind Can See and Rearranged.

So for me it's a mixed bag. Some really good music lost among some several other dull pieces that keep this album from building any kind of momentum and leaving me wanting more. Maybe for their next project they should bring in an outside producer to help tighten up their writing.

At last! Spocks Beard has finally gelled as the new Spocks Beard! I've been very impressed with this latest release and consider it another step in the right direction. There are some great melodies here along with the great musicianship they are known for. A better piece of work than Octane. The bonus disc with Octane hinted at this new full-blown direction and has landed them fully in control and ready to start giving the audience an unforgettable show. Who needs Neal anyway!?! The Beard have produced the most incredible CD of their career. They can only keep getting better.

The third album by the post-Neal version of the band is another solid release. At this point I'm not sure if it surpasses the group's previous work Octane, which was a consistently good album that really grew on me. The band is definitely harder rocking than ever here, and the CD's bass-heavy mix sounds great.

The opening track "On a Perfect Day" is by far the best and is one of the band's greatest songs ever. Its sound is the closest on the album to the "classic" Spock's Beard style, it has a great chorus, nice keyboard sounds from Ryo Okumoto, an acoustic section, and an exciting energy throughout. The driving, hard-rocking instrumental "Skeletons at the Feast" is another highlight, and at one point sounds a lot like fellow proggers The Flower Kings. The atmospheric "All That's Left" is a very good track as well. Drummer/vocalist Nick D'Virgilio's "With Your Kiss" is an ambitious amalgam of modern-sounding pop, pounding drums a la Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk," and a moody almost Radiohead-like finale. Alan Morse's guitar work stands out on this track. Speaking of Alan, "Sometimes They Stay, Sometimes They Go" is a gritty hard rock track with him on lead vocals. It's not spectacular but not bad either. Two very different ballads, the reverential "The Slow Crash Landing Man" and the more abstract piano-based "Hereafter," are decent.

The four-part epic "As Far As the Mind Can See" was written by bassist Dave Meros and "The Fifth Beardle" John Boegehold. It's not as instantly engaging as previous epics but it's still good. "Dreaming in the Age of Answers" is a solid opening to the piece, and contains some fretless bass work. The "Here's a Man" section sees the band venturing into jazz territory, and "They Know We Know" is a catchy number with huge Bonham-esque drums and a big sing-along chorus. The brass arrangements here and on the epic's final part, "Stream of Unconsciousness," are a nice touch. The album closer "Rearranged" is a pretty good mostly straightforward pop/rock song.

Unfortunately there are a couple tracks that drag down the album. "Is This Love" is a goofy little song that sounds like a bonus track at best, and "Wherever You Stand" is kind of annoying. As for the flow of the work as a whole, the album does kind of lose me a bit between "With Your Kiss" and "As Far As the Mind Can See." But it's admirable that the band explores so many different styles on one disc. Spock's Beard has something for almost everyone.

This is Spock's Beard's ninth album. They've self-titled it because they've finally found a new sound and creative direction after the departure of founding member, lead singer, and lead songwriter Neal Morse. Losing a powerhouse like Neal would have put and end to most bands, but instead Spock's Beard is attempting to pull a Genesis, with Nick D'Virgilio taking over the helm. He's doing better than I thought he would. This is the third album they've produced without Neal. The last two (Octane and Feel Euphoria) were average albums, but very weak soup compared to the albums the band produced with Neal on board. When progheads hear the name "Spock's Beard" they are not expecting average - they expect quirky, irreverent, madly rocking genius.

This album is a bit different. Their sound has changed into more of a standard rock band. Several of the tracks on this album are definitely -not- progressive rock. They aren't bad, but they aren't what Spock's Beard fans have been expecting. Most prog fans will dislike those tracks, yet they are still better tracks than the equivalent rock music you'd hear on a radio station. "Is This Love" is by far the strongest example of this new rock sound in their music. Good thing it's short. "Rearranged" reminds me of music from Sonic video games.

That said, there are some damn fine progressive numbers on this record. "On a Perfect Day" and especially "Skeletons at the Feast" and "With Your Kiss" are excellent tracks that are in my opinion the best things to come out of Spock's Beard since Neal's departure. This is good news! The band still has it, and I was beginning to lose hope after their last two albums. "With Your Kiss" is, I think, representative of the direction they are aiming for. That track in particular strikes me as a synthesis of what they once were and their new rock sound.

This album is a bit of a mixed bag, however their post-Neal sound is much improved and much more soild in this release - the confidence is back. They aren't the same band, but they are slowly returning to their original level of sophistication and excellence. With any luck, their next album will continue improving in that direction. It takes time to find a masterpiece, and losing a founding member is a major setback. They may never be able to top "V" - certainly anything they produce at that level still won't have the same sound, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Many people want more of the same. I just want more of the same quality - if the style changes, so much the better!

I'd give this 3/5 stars overall, but an A for the effort the band is putting into getting back on their feet. I hope one day they can redefine themselves and top their old catalog - but not with this release. This is just a bit of a downpayment and a tease for what they might be able to do in the future.

Ok, so 4 and not 5 stars... why? "Is this Love" is horrible (and it's the 3rd track on the CD!). So horrible that you will skip past it EVERY time you listen to this scattered, but very solid Beard CD.

Enough about what isn't good, so what is? All the rest. What really stands out is Nick's drumming (especially on "Skeletons at the Feast") and his voice range. Ryo is at his best on this CD. Dave shines both with his bass playing, but especially his song writing.

If you liked Octane, buy this and you'll be very satisfied. If you haven't quite connected with the new Beard and are looking for a Neal Morse era CD, then just download the first track "On a Perfect Day" from iTunes and you'll be happy (but don't buy the whole CD!).

I recommend it.

Spock's Beard is the self-titled 9th album from the excellent prog band of the same name (obviously). It's a fantastic album from start to finish and is easily their best album since Neal Morse left following their masterpiece, 2002's Snow.

The album kicks off with one of Spock's Beard's finest moments, with or without Neal, On a Perfect Day. It's a mini-epic in its own right with a killer riff, amazing vocals from drummer Nick D'Virgilio, and just all around a fantastic piece. It's followed by an awesome instrumental, Skeletons At the Feast. Is This Love is short and kind of throwaway, but they come back with a fury with the next tracks: All That's Left is a bittersweet look at lost love wrapped in an pretty song, With Your Kiss is 11 minutes of prog greatness, and Sometimes They Stay Sometimes They Go is killer...a rockin' riff with some killer vocals from guitarist Alan Morse. After a couple more excellent songs, we get to the epic of the album, As Far As the Mind Can See...17 minutes of progressive magic split into four sections: Dreaming In the Age of Answers (an overture of sorts with soaring vocals), Here's a Man, with its spoken word delivery contrasting nicely with the chorus, The Know We Know is the pop-section of the piece, and Stream of Unconciousness (perhaps the title is an homage to friends Dream Theater, who had an instrumental called Stream of Conciousness on their Train of Thought album?) finishes the suite as an instrumental with a short reprise of the first section at the end. Nicely, the album ends with another killer track, Rearranged.

All in all, an excellent Beard album...easily the best of the post-Neal era, showing the band really established in their new identity and forging ahead with confidence. Here's to more Beard!

I really enjoyed this album, especially after the mediocrity of Octane, and even Gluttons for Punishment. Everything (Musicianship/songwriting etc) has improved dramatically, especially the guitar skills of Alan Morse. I also agree with the other reviewers about the "Is this Love" song, but I read the reviews before I got the album and although "Is this love" isn't that bad, it just doesn't go with the flow, so to speak. Opener "On a perfect day" starts off in glorious form of Spocks Beard of old. Nick D'Virgilio's vocal contribution on this CD is utterly superb, closely followed by the harmonies from the fellow Beardies. There are 2 tracks on this CD that I do not hesitate to term as EPIC. Firstly, "All thats left" (Track 4) starts off with soothing piano and then into mid-period Zeppelinesque keyboards. Lovely vocals and beautiful heartfelt backing harmonies on the chorus before gathering momentum and some tasty Electric and Classical guitar. The lyrics are also very sentimental, and I am sure this song will be often played after a break-up with your loved one. This song actually reminded me of the Kansas Chestnut "Dust in the Wind" and would be a very worthy single release should that be the case. The next track, "With your kiss", is even better, for God's sake. Again, beautiful harmonies, captivating lyrics and building from strength to strength as the song progresses. I was briefly reminded of Andy Summers (The Police) on this track. Next song "Sometimes they stay..." echoes Santana's "Open Invitation" to a degree. I always rated Nick as a better singer than Neal Morse, and I was very impressed with the NDV release "Karma" (See my review to get an idea), and with this release, it has tempted me to wipe off all the dust on my other Spocks Beards CDs and give them a spin again. Glad to see the Band have come back with some more glorious music. I lost a little bit of faith over the last couple of years, but not now.

I was willing to accept a transition album from the Neil Morse days of Spock's Beard, which I thought "Feel Euporia" was. It was an uneven album that at times was simply unenjoyable due to it's pop-metal, neo-neo-progressive slant. The material showed none of the complexity, writing skills or playing skills, especially the latter case, being a disappointment.
I passed on "Octane" but purchased the next live album which was heavily "Octane" based. The material sounded better live than on the album, which I took as a hopeful thing.

It is with great happiness that I reccomend the self-titled Spock's Beard album. It has moments that remind of the original band, On A Perfect Day and Skeletons At The Feast. Much negative things have been said of the following song, Is This Love, which is out of track with the prog-mood of the prior tracks, but as far as the song goes, it's well written and performed, and could make some FM-radio rotation.

Much that follows is slower paced, well written material; and while the "massive" song of the CD isn't much more than at best a song suite, missing any decernable connection, at least the songs are good, evoking Neil Morse Era SB.
I prefer Nick's vocals, which have a bit more oomph to them, without losing the precision of Neil's lead vocals, beyond that, the vocal department has seen a nice return to form.

In all, this was the album I've been waiting for. The band is made up of fine musicans that understand how to play and sing tunefully, yet skilled in the neo-prog school of rock. In general, the band packs a slight metal range, but retain much of their basic roots.
If you've been waiting for the post-Morse Beard album, this is it. For fans, you'll get it anyway!