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What's going on with Spock's Beard?

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martinprog77 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martinprog77 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: What's going on with Spock's Beard?
    Posted: 12 hours 23 minutes ago at 02:52
Originally posted by Jeffro Jeffro wrote:

Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

And with the news of a fifth P-SA studio album to be released later this year, it seems like the Spock's Beard situation isn't getting anywhere. Rather unfortunate as I personally prefer the music of SB to that of P-SA, which I just cannot connect with.


I agree. Pattern just doesn't click with me. I wanted it to. I thought that it would but it doesn't.

t.
same here ,PSA is good but there is something missing , on the other hand  Ryo album is really good 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Yesterday at 06:10
The Progarchives community has the tendency to use the term "poppy" to describe the music they either don't like, or the music they consider not worthy of having the privilege of prog purity. 🤣

"Oh hell no, it's not real tradprog, it's too poppy!", as if "poppy" somehow meant blemished or tainted.

Edited by Hrychu - Yesterday at 06:13
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Yesterday at 05:57
Originally posted by Hrychu Hrychu wrote:

...
Yes, I can totally hear subtle "indie rock" elements in the orchestration techniques. But come on. I still stand by the statement that labeling the band as poppy is doing the musical style these guys represent a real disservice.

Hi,

I'm not sure that fans give a darn about anything other than their favorite ... and if it is some pop this or that ... so be it ... what is weird for me is the fans not moving on to something else that will fit their request better, instead of trashing the band ... it feels like trashing your mom, pop or sister! It's not gonna help anything!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 04 2025 at 11:59
I'm listening to Elegant Vampires by PSA again. It's a total bop. I believe it's wayyyy too complex and prog-styled for the average "pop" listener. Yes, I can totally hear subtle "indie rock" elements in the orchestration techniques. But come on. I still stand by the statement that labeling the band as poppy is doing the musical style these guys represent a real disservice.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2025 at 19:09
Hi,

Isn't it always stated that the wine gets better as it ages? 

Maybe that is the case with SB ... and I would not be asking for them to hurry up and give me another song ... it will be ready when its time is up and ready. That's art ... and many of us and them, are not Picassos that could create something in minutes and then go on to something else! Well, he did leave behind so many thousands of works that no one has ever tried to catalog all of it!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hrychu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2025 at 18:25
I love Pattern Seeking Animals personally. Solid music! Their style could be considered "pop", if your definition of "pop" is still stuck in the 1960s. But in today's musical landscape, I'd say a better description of that style would be "art rock". The arrangements are quite busy and complex, yet the songs are still catchy despite the fact. And even if the songwriting keeps the hooks catchy, they're far from simplistic and often extremely imaginative.

Edited by Hrychu - February 03 2025 at 18:29
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2025 at 16:18
Originally posted by Jeffro Jeffro wrote:

Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

And with the news of a fifth P-SA studio album to be released later this year, it seems like the Spock's Beard situation isn't getting anywhere. Rather unfortunate as I personally prefer the music of SB to that of P-SA, which I just cannot connect with.


I agree. Pattern just doesn't click with me. I wanted it to. I thought that it would but it doesn't.

The last two Beard albums were hit or miss for me so I'm a little leary of new music at this point.

I struggle with PSA also. They aren't horrible but maybe I would like them more if they weren't considered prog. They seem to poppy to be traditional prog imo. Not bad but considering the history of SB and what that band has done makes it a little bit of a letdown like you say.


Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - February 03 2025 at 20:11
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jeffro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2025 at 14:56
Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

And with the news of a fifth P-SA studio album to be released later this year, it seems like the Spock's Beard situation isn't getting anywhere. Rather unfortunate as I personally prefer the music of SB to that of P-SA, which I just cannot connect with.


I agree. Pattern just doesn't click with me. I wanted it to. I thought that it would but it doesn't.

The last two Beard albums were hit or miss for me so I'm a little leary of new music at this point.

Edited by Jeffro - February 03 2025 at 14:57
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mellotronwave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2025 at 13:23
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Catcher10 Catcher10 wrote:

They are old, everything hurts now....

LOL
Not that old, i mean Deep Purple are on tour and 3-4 members of DP are old enough to be SB's members parents. LOL



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote yam yam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 03 2025 at 10:44
Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

Does anyone know what is going on with Spock's Beard?  Their last album was Noise Floor from 2018.  Since then, the majority of the band has released 5 albums as Pattern-Seeking Animals (ok 4, with a new one coming out next month).
The Pattern-Seeking Animals new album 'Friend Of All Creatures' is being released on the 14th of this month. Review and album info here: https://theprogressiveaspect.net/blog/2025/01/27/pattern-seeking-animals-friend-of-all-creatures/.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Epignosis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 29 2025 at 07:20
Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

Originally posted by Catcher10 Catcher10 wrote:

They are old, everything hurts now....
I can relate...and I'm not quite as old as them yet.  LOL


I've gone from waking up with, "Man that hurts" to waking up with, "I didn't know that could hurt."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 13:59
Excellent.  A new SB album and a new Ryo solo album.  That is great news. 

I hope that the fire at Rich Mouser's home/studio didn't/doesn't interfere with these projects.  (Such a shame what happen to Rich Mouser).  Cry
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote progaardvark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 13:48
Ryo Okumoto posted on July 7, 2024 on Facebook that they are making a new album. I haven't seen any follow-up posts to this.


If the link doesn't work, this is the text inside the post:
Originally posted by Ryo Okumoto Ryo Okumoto wrote:

Touring is great but nothing like coming home to my family. Am I happy? Yes, very much!
Couple shows with ASIA Featuring John Payne this month and Europe and West coast tour with ProgJect Sep-Nov and, Spock's Beard is making new album. Then, going back to Japan after for vacation (Actually working on my next solo album while I’m there). Life is good!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote A Crimson Mellotron Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 12:52
I have been wondering the same thing. Their last gigs are two headline shows at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, CA (March of 2024), following that aforementioned small European tour of January-February of 2024. The Alvas Showroom gigs have been promoted as Spock's Beard with the Ryo Okumoto band (kind of like a special guest) so this definitely indicates that they are not done. But apart from this, no other news seem to circulate regarding the possibility of new music or a more extensive tour... And with the news of a fifth P-SA studio album to be released later this year, it seems like the Spock's Beard situation isn't getting anywhere. Rather unfortunate as I personally prefer the music of SB to that of P-SA, which I just cannot connect with. Disapprove

My best guess is that they are currently not interested in writing new music as SB, and knowing that the reception to 'Noise Floor' was generally less enthusiastic compared to the 2013 and 2015 releases, it makes you think that they feel like they don't have much to say as a band in the 2020s.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IncogNeato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 12:41
Originally posted by Cristi Cristi wrote:

Originally posted by Catcher10 Catcher10 wrote:

They are old, everything hurts now....

LOL
Not that old, i mean Deep Purple are on tour and 3-4 members of DP are old enough to be SB's members parents. LOL

DP probably also employs massage therapists, personal chefs and baristas on the road, too...LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 12:34
Originally posted by Catcher10 Catcher10 wrote:

They are old, everything hurts now....
I can relate...and I'm not quite as old as them yet.  LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 12:09
Originally posted by Catcher10 Catcher10 wrote:

They are old, everything hurts now....

LOL
Not that old, i mean Deep Purple are on tour and 3-4 members of DP are old enough to be SB's members parents. LOL


Edited by Cristi - January 27 2025 at 12:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Catcher10 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 12:05
They are old, everything hurts now....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rushfan4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 11:06
I went to their website and saw that they did a small tour of Europe in 2024, so apparently they are still active. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jared Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2025 at 11:00
It's a question I had started to wonder myself Scott... I can't throw any light on the subject, but I will watch this thread with interest....
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