Hi everyone

 I got Beware of Darkness a week ago and its pretty awesome, which one should be my next choice?

 Anyone know ofn any other bands with the same Yes-ish Sound?

 Thanks!

I came into Spock's Beard from their debut, The Light.  Had I come in through any other album, I do not think I would be as into them as I am.  I very highly recommend that you get that one and hear them fropm the beginning.  You might also want to read my review of The Light to see why I am recommending it.

Peace.

 Thanks guys,

 Maani's reveiw has convinced me, though V and Snow seem equaly promising, i cant wait to hear an impressive debut by the beard.  

sigod wrote: chorus of one wrote: I recommend you buy something from a better band.  Oooh, dems fightin words chorus

Sid Smith in a Krimson diary entry about  3 weeks ago, drew a metaphor which I'm attracted to, with respect to 2nd, 3rd and xth generation progressive rock bands - and note in his piece he was drawing the metaphor wrt  Gentle Giant!

Smith stated that when listening to recent prog bands, there was always a risk of hearing their antecedents. However, given time, with further exposure to some of these bands and he could hear the changes, the evolution, what they were bringing new to that particular style of prog. He liken these bands to seedlings, and a gardener having taken the parent plant (of earlier sounds  as the roots, trunk, trunk, branches, leaves and twigs),  shredded (pun?) them into a mulch. I took from this the idea: you could bearly recognise the original source but having spread the mulch over the ground it would initially protect the saplings, and then fertilise them - some eventually growing into strong healthy trees (well, shrubs anyway)!

Taking Smith's analogy, I've  been tempted to apply it to Spocks Beard and would suggest the mulching machine has not been working as effectively as it could, regularly spewing out unshredded pieces of roots, branches and trunks, amongst the heap of tiny pieces. Further, large branches have been grafted on the Spocks Beard sapling trunk from elsewhere, becoming set and growing vigorously! As an old fart, walking through this forest of prog trees, I find as I approach Beard, I keep  tripping up over the unshredded roots (e.g. from Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, nay even Deep Purple - for instance along the Snowy path), which younger and mor einnocent listeners with more agile legs would leap over and not even notice. Kindness of Strangers, is the only path I found  to Spock which is free of large lumps, and instead consists of the best fine mulch.

And all the best rhubarb grows in horse dung.......................................

vaportrail wrote:  Hi everyone  I got Beware of Darkness a week ago and its pretty awesome, which one should be my next choice?  Anyone know ofn any other bands with the same Yes-ish Sound?  Thanks!

since you think that Beware Of Darkness is pretty awesome get The Kindness of Strangers next. I think you will like that as well.

gdub411 wrote: Today I recieved 2 cd compilations from a friend containing Spocks Beard material. This is only on a borrow basis so don't waste your time talking legalities. After giving them a listen I was surprised how intricate and diverse their music was. Most neo-prog in the vein of Marillion is quite simple compared to the layers of complexity that the pioneers of prog established, but Spocks Beard was different. These are obviously well accomplished musicians!....God...I love the powerful bass in a couple of their tunes. Now onto the criticism. The singer is terrible. His voice completely ruins the music and makes their good efforts sound candy assed. Top that off with preachy and lousy lyrics and all you have left with is unmitigated fluff. I mean he sings in this tone of voice that screams" listen to me,listen to me I have something really important to say." and then says nothing at all!! He reminds me of all those christian rock singers who sing in that kind of exaggerated , annoying voice to let the listener know the passion he feels for Christ(a little like Kansas's singer but worse) It comes off as phony, pretentious gobbitygoop to me. The only parts of the vocals I liked is when they took a cue from Gentle Giant's Knots and sang in whatever that form of singing is called.

 I dont get Morse's vocals and lyirics. Is he trying to add humour or are his lyirics and vocals just not up to the standard of the musical ability of the group as a whole?

Chris Stainton wrote: Also pick up Transatlantic "SMPTe", which is better than all the SB albums except "The Light".

Just listening to Transatlantic- Mystery Train, Its fantastic. Sounds a bit like Conspiracy (Chris Squire, Billy Sherwood)

vaportrail wrote: Chris Stainton wrote: Also pick up Transatlantic "SMPTe", which is better than all the SB albums except "The Light". Just listening to Transatlantic- Mystery Train, Its fantastic. Sounds a bit like Conspiracy (Chris Squire, Billy Sherwood)

I have to agree that Transatlantic is a step above most of the SB discography. Bridge before SMPTe.

For me, Snow is the best Spock's Beard album

I thought "V" was pretty good, but slightly overrated. That first song on there, "At The End Of The Day" is pretty awesome, but overall, I'd go with Snow, The Light or Kindness Of Strangers next.

vaportrail wrote:  Hi everyone  I got Beware of Darkness a week ago and its pretty awesome, which one should be my next choice?  Anyone know ofn any other bands with the same Yes-ish Sound?  Thanks!

The Kindness of Strangers is my favourite SB album. For something similar but imo better, try "Glass Hammer" . They are awesome

Did Spock really have a Beard?

Let's take a look...

He don't got one to me...

The beard was absent from Spock as is the talent from the band. I would say none of the albums are good.

All kidding aside start with the debut and work chronologically while avoiding the third album (Kindness of strangers).

I started with the kindness of strangers, but would go with The Light as your next choice. I would save thier epic "Snow" until you are very comfortable with the band.