Spock's Beard return to the music stores with their first record since Light in June 2004. The first seven tracks of this album comprise a conceptual suite entitled "A Flash Before My Eyes," based on a story by John Boegehold. It's about the experiences of a man in the process of experiencing a car wreck as it happens and watching his life flash before him as it passes out of him. He recalls everything from his parents' separation on Christmas, to high school football games and meeting his wife and creating a life with her. It all ends at the end of the flash. The overture, "Prelude to the Past," is all big prog symphonic rock Former frontman and guitarist Neal Morse's gigantic presence is still missed, but the ambition here is sweeping. Nonetheless, drummer and frontman Nick D'Virgilio is putting forth the effort and he has a compelling presence as a singer, but his lyrics aren't yet there, they still tell more than show. The contrast between Boegehold's narrative passages and the song lyrics that illustrate them is harsh. The music, while more "accessible" than in the past and harder in its rock-ist intentions, still has plenty of flair and verve, though one does miss the wonderfully labyrinthine passages and surprises of yore. ~ Thom Jurek
Digibook Pkg. Incl.Bonus CD W/ 8 Tracks.
Spock's Beard: Alan Morse (vocals, guitar, cello, musical saw, Theremin); Nick D'Virgilio (vocals, guitar, drums, percussion); Dave Meros (vocals, French horn, bass instrument); Ryo Okumoto (vocals, keyboards).
Great record "Octane" by Spocks Beard is much better than Feel Uphoria. It seems they are finding their footing after the departure of Neal Morse. I still think it lacks the "soul" of previous Spocks Beard records but I believe they have found a great direction and should continue down that road. Nick is getting better as a singer and his drumming speaks for itself. Dave, Alan and Ryo are always at their best and on "Octane" they continue to shine. Submitted by kevin (Olympia, WA. USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Bueno Para los amantes de SB sin duda que es un CD muy bueno. Para los de mente fría, encontrarán que este nuevo trabajo empieza con tres grandes temas, muy entretenidos, variados y progresivos, con muy buenas melodías y que a medida de que va transcurriendo el CD va desmejorando hasta llegar a la LATA de los dos ultimos temas, los cuales se enmarcan dentro de un pop poco atractivo y sin belleza en su composición, totalmente repetitivo. Esto deja un gusto amargo, es como el Campari, que al principio es dulce y al final termina amargo.
Menos mal que compré la edición de 2 CDs, pues el CD Nº2, dura solo 27 minutos de audio, pero afortunadamente trae 5 temas muy buenos y 3 estractos de orquestaciones muy interesantes. Yo habría quitado algunos de los temas lateros del CD original y los hubiera cambiado por temas que vienen en el bonus CD.
No esperen escuchar a los SB de Neal, este SB corresponde a otros musicos, por momentos extraordinarios y por momentos lateros. Pero en general creo que queda un gusto mas bien positivo, para mi este CD es mejor que el anterior, trae elementos mas progresivos e interesantes. Dura un total de 55 minutos con 12 temas y el Bonus dura 27 minutos con 8 temas mas un video.
Saludos progresivos. Submitted by hcastro (Santiago de Chile) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Next Level!! This double set did the band justice. To me this is a much better outing than their first attempt without Neal. I am glad to see they evolved, and I would highly recommend these disks. Submitted by loseruser (Easthampton, MA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Not one of their best I like the fact that they're willing to change but they seem to have forgot what made them great. Submitted by jcaldwellctxs (Parkland, FL, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Terrific. My favourite 'Beard album and a big step up from the first post Morse set.
This is the album that secured me as a fan - don't listen to the negatives, this is really good stuff, extremely well played. Submitted by kenankelly (Western Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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