SPOCK'S BEARD

Spock's Beard always was my favorite band... but it pains me to give this a simple 3 star review. Unfortunately, I think that it is necessary. I cannot say that this album as a whole would be an excellent addition to any prog collection, because simply it woulnd't. It is far from being a masterpiece, but this album does have some highlight tracks (which alone are splended prog pieces) among the more poppy-sounding songs.

Overall, however

As with the others, I would say that this disc sets you up for a grand album. Then, as if being hit in the face with dirt, you are faced with some of the weakest stuff in their collection.

ON A PERFECT DAY -- A nice opening, with great acoustic parts and a strong affort on all the member's parts. Nick (and the rest of the Beard) is spot on here. A highlight track for sure. SKELETONS AT THE FEAST -- Wow. Dave Meros is a genius. This song is fantastic. In an odd 11/8 time signature, Ryo begins with his keys, then Nick comes in on drums, soon to be followed by the rest of the band. Each and every note and beat is nailed perfectly. It carries a spoooky feel throughout the first and last sections of the song, but in the middle it turns into a jocular, playful little tune. Great transitions, great stuff, and great prog. IS THAT LOVE -- When I first heard this in the car on the way home from the store, I said to myself "What is this?!" It was a shocking song. It is so radically different from anythign they had ever done before. It had very hard edges, and is clearly a simply rocker. The lyrics are terribly cliche "squash me like a bug." Although its not a terrible song, one would think that the Beard would be able to do something more... interesting with this theme. ALL THATS LEFT -- Eh, another ok song. The beginning really made me feel like the 80's meet early Christina Agulera. It was sad. Again, I am not impressed with the lyrics, and I think a lot more could have been done with the theme. It is nice, but almost too simple. Luckly at the end, a nice guitar solo redeems this song that was disappointing in the beginning. The song definately gets better the later you get into the song. WITH YOUR KISS -- By this point, I was getting sick of three cheesy titles in a row. This song, however, is a nice change of pace form the last two. Within the 12 minutes, SB takes the listener to many different areas, and thevocals are very nice. There is some good soloing, and a VERY interesting mellotron-sounding section coming from Ryo. This song contains great transitions, and I would consider this the 3rd best song on the album for sure. Though it still dosent hold the magic of ON A PERFECT DAY, it still manages to hold my attention much more than the others. SOMETIMES THEY STAY, SOMETIMES THEY GO -- "Eh." That is all I could say about this one. Again, not a terrible track, but I would have expected more from the Beard. There is yet another bit of good guitar, but overall the track sounds like a broken record -- sometimes they stay, sometimes they go, sometimes they stay, sometimes they go...." Rather boring. THE SLOW CRASH LANDING MAN -- This song may contain Nick's best lyrics on this album. It has a very nostalgic feel to it, almost bringing one back to the Neal days. There is a nice keyboard solo in it. Though the song is very slow, it is fun and rather interesiing. One of the few songs with some emotion! WHEREVER YOU STAND --Another song that picks up at the very end. I really dont have too many comments on this song. It dosen't stand out, it is just your standard rocker. It dosen't really have any very interesitng parts in it. It's a fun song, just lacks interest. It is unfortuante that there is this usleless screaming before the end. (Japanise?). I think that so much more could have been done with this theme! HEREAFTER -- Honestly, I think this track is a waste of time. Sure, nice piano, nice voice, Nick. But this song is so boring and uninteresting. AS FAR AS THE MIND CAN SEE -- This "epic" does not go as far as the mind can see. Rather, it stays pretty close to home. Way to popish. The lyrics are far too uninspired. The playing is unemotional. The second part may be the only interesitng part of the epic, save the very beginning of part five. If your into the whole "broken record" thing, go for part three. REARRANGED -- I like this track.Nick has a nice voice, and the keys seem to be very inspired. The end of the song is a great capper for an album that could have been at least a 4.5 star album. Awesome song and great end.

The only "excellent" tracks are ON A PERFECT DAY AND SKELETONS. WITH YOUR KISS is worth your time as well. There are many nice songs on here., they just come off as uninspired and less interesitng then they could be. Rockers are not bad. This CD is not bad. I just wish the band would have explored more into the material.I am not a fan at all of the "new" Spock's Beard. I know that is not a legitamate excuse becuase they are a totally different band, but the "harder-edged" stuff is not working for me with them. I miss the "rounder" sounding days of Neal.

As I am typing this conclusion, another SPcok's Beard song (At the End of the Day) just came on my player, and I notiece the sharp contrast. This new CD is lacking a "full" soung. Many of the tracks seem empty. This has the potential to be a great album. It is only decently good.

Share this SPOCK'S BEARD review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Koopaslaya
• Report this review (#102199)
• Buy SPOCK'S BEARD music online with PA partners
• Show all SPOCK'S BEARD MP3/Stream
• Go to SPOCK'S BEARD page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Spock's Beard page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for SPOCK'S BEARD related discussions