DAY FOR NIGHT

This is another updated review, but unlike the last one, this one is loosing a star after further consideration. In reality, it really only looses a half star, but I figure I will round down as this is my least favorite Spock's Beard album at this point, without question. However, it's still not terrible, by any means and probably still could be considered good but not essential, but I just don't think people new to the band or not big fans would have any interest in this at all.

When I bought this, I was thinking it would probably be my last SB purchase, as they just seemed to keep disappointing me. But after a few listens, I realized it wasn't all bad.

The first song is a nice upbeat and proggy number that never gets very intense but is enjoyable none the less. Gibberish is the obligatory Gentle Giant rip off that SB does so well. This is probably less enjoyable than the two Thoughts songs, but still not bad with some outstanding drumming. Skin is a horrible pop sounding song that just seems pointless (I do like some "pop" type music by the way). It is so cheesy that I don't even think it would work on modern pop radio. Probably the SB song I dislike the most. Distance to the Sun is a pleasant but forgettable ballad. Crack the Big Sky seems like a retread of Walking on The Wind from Beware Of Darkness. But aside from the lack of originality, it is not a bad song. Just not one that stands out for me, though it does have a catchy chorus. The Gypsy is a nice heavy song that has an almost bluesy feel to it. I like this one, but it is not particularly special. Can't get it Wrong is another pleasant but forgettable ballad (and would more appropriately be called Can't get it Right :-)

The final 7 tracks are parts of a 20 minute suite. But you might not be able to tell that from looking at the booklet (I only knew because before the album was released Morse said there was a 20 minute suite on it). When you listen to the tracks it becomes much more obvious though, as they all segue and there are common themes running through most of them. Overall this suite, The Healing Colors Of Sound, is an enjoyable listen, but not one of their best attempts at this format. The pt.1 and pt.2 sections are the most interesting musically, but the vocal sections are pretty good as well.

Overall, not a bad album, but far from my favorite by them. Thanks to the suite, and the first two songs, I'm tempted to go with 3 stars, but as it is I really don't think they are good enough to raise it about 2.5 stars. So I'm rounding down, to show this is my least favorite SB album, but I think it should be noted that this is a bit more than a 2 star release, just not quite a 3. Little did I know the best of SB was right around the corner though.