Search - Spock's Beard :: Spock's Beard

The Best Beard In Years!

Joel Israel | Cedar City, UT United States | 12/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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 the Facts....And Give Credit....

Jeffrey G. Stevenson | F.W.B.,FL | 03/10/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"....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!"

Still waiting for that great Beard album

The Old Rocker | SF Bay Area | 11/30/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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.

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