Spock's Beard

[The Letter M]

While everyone is gushing about Snow Live around the net, it seems that the Beard have moved into the mixing and mastering process at Rich Mouser's studio, so it seems that, hopefully, around New Years, we may get some news about SB13! I'm hopeful for a Spring release (maybe around my birthday in March!).

I saw a picture of Nick a week or two ago doing some vocal recordings, though I can't be too sure if it was for BBT or SB, as BBT are about to release a new single next week, but SB13 is on its way to being finished, so who knows. It would be nice to hear some Nick background vocals on the new album, maybe even a lead vocal line or two, but if his voice ISN'T on it at all, I won't be terribly disappointed, but I *love* when SB do vocal harmonies and layered vocal parts, and I'd like to see a return of those on the new album with Ted, Nick, Al and Dave.

What do you guys hope for the next album? A long album (70-80 minutes) or something a bit more concise (50-60 minutes)? More long songs or less? Perhaps a new multi-movement epic?

-Marc.

[kaos2900]

I just hope I like it. As I mentioned a few posts back I was really disappointed in The Oblivion Particle while i LOVED Brief Nocturnes. Hopefully Nick being back will help.

[The Letter M]

I just hope I like it. As I mentioned a few posts back I was really disappointed in The Oblivion Particle while i LOVED Brief Nocturnes. Hopefully Nick being back will help.

Well, knowing how great BNADS was, I was trying not to keep my expectations high when TOP came out, and I'm glad I didn't. While it doesn't reach the highs that BNADS did, it's a slightly more consistent record for me, averaging out at mostly B+ material across the board, while BNADS features some A+ songs, but also a couple C+ and B- material.

It wasn't poor or under-average for me, just slightly above average, but it definitely didn't hit as high as BNADS and X before it. I'm looking forward to SB13 and hoping they knock it out of the park this time. Some of the clips the band members have posted on FB are promising so far, so I look forward to hearing how they all fit together.

-Marc.

[The Curious Orange]

I just hope I like it. As I mentioned a few posts back I was really disappointed in The Oblivion Particle...

As was I - at first. It took a long time for that one to "click", but by God, when it finally did it's a monster. It forces you to rethink what music actually is and can be.

[RoeDent]

I don't dislike The Oblivion Particle, but I definitely prefer BN&DS of the two Ted-era albums.

As for the new album, whatever they do will be fine, but it'd be cool to have more harmony vocals from the other guys, instead of just Ted overdubbed (as much as I enjoy his voice).

[Fritzinger]

I also hope for NDV to sind a lot. I absolutely love him singing, for me he has the best voice of the three SB frontmen. Alan has a cool voice too imo. Alan, Ted & NDV could produce some killer Gentle Giant stuff (Thoughts). I hope that Nick sings at least 1-2 songs as lead singer.

A multi part epic would be awesome, as long as they manage to compose a good song, rather than just giving 5 separate songs a collective title and reprising one melody at the end.

I liked TOP way better than BN&DS. A Better Way To Fly is one of SBs greatest songs ever. I was, however, a little disappointed that Boegehold composed most of the songs. I am trying not to care since the music is good anyway, but I know that Alan and especially Dave are very able of composing good songs (Jaws Of Heaven!). As is Ted!

[KevShmev]

The Oblivion Particle is probably better than I think it is (based on how little I now listen to it), but it's so hard for it to stand out as being great when this is the band that gave us The Light, Beware of Darkness, Snow, X and Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep.  For me, it doesn't have a single song that I would say is great or one of their best.  That said, it is still pretty darn consistent.  Every time I listen to it, I enjoy the heck out of it.  It just doesn't have major replay value.

[jingle.boy]

The Oblivion Particle is probably better than I think it is (based on how little I now listen to it), but it's so hard for it to stand out as being great when this is the band that gave us The Light, Beware of Darkness, Snow, X and Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep.  For me, it doesn't have a single song that I would say is great or one of their best.  That said, it is still pretty darn consistent.  Every time I listen to it, I enjoy the heck out of it.  It just doesn't have major replay value.

Bingo.  When I want to play some Beard, TOP isn't the album I think to myself 'yeah, that's the one'.

[ProfessorPeart]

My Snow Live Art book finally showed up today and I'm halfway through the Blu-ray.

Wow. Just, wow. Snow isn't even my favorite record of theirs but this is just stellar. Seeing all of them up there performing this beast just gives me all these feelings.

You can just tell how much this meant to the guys. The looks of joy in their faces. There were times where I could see Nick and Alan just lost in the moment.

As much I miss Neal in the Beard, this was the right time to perform this. The combined talent on that stage is just awesome.

I don't know what else to say. Bravo to the boys. This is amazing. Wish I could have been there.

EDIT: Man, Neal during I'm Dying. That performance of one of my absolutes faves I Will Go. And Neal during the finale just breaking down. Such a powerful show.

[The Letter M]

Saw this post on the Facebook SB forum,  posted on Thursday by Randy Stasiak:
"Spock's Beard in the studio at Sweetwater. Three song EP with only 1000 CDs being made. Supposed to be sold through their website. Release date TBA."

Apparently this is apart from the 13th album, which is still being wrapped up.

-Marc.

[Nel]

only 1000 CDs being made.

Oh god, don't do this to me.

[The Letter M]

Update on that 3-song EP - Apparently it was recorded earlier this year when the band were at Sweetwater Studios, and they recorded three older SB songs with the current line-up, including at least "Hiding Out" and "Go The Way You Go", according to one poster in the SB Facebook group.

Despite it being just a re-recordings EP, I'm still itching to buy it. Hearing Ted AND Nick (if he's doing any vocals, which seems likely given they're doing at least ONE much older song) do vocals together should be a treat, and I'd like to hear Nick play "Hiding Out" on drums. It'd be neat if the third song was from the Nick-Era, just to cover all three eras of SB.

-Marc.

[Fritzinger]

Update on that 3-song EP - Apparently it was recorded earlier this year when the band were at Sweetwater Studios, and they recorded three older SB songs with the current line-up, including at least "Hiding Out" and "Go The Way You Go", according to one poster in the SB Facebook group.

Despite it being just a re-recordings EP, I'm still itching to buy it. Hearing Ted AND Nick (if he's doing any vocals, which seems likely given they're doing at least ONE much older song) do vocals together should be a treat, and I'd like to hear Nick play "Hiding Out" on drums. It'd be neat if the third song was from the Nick-Era, just to cover all three eras of SB.

-Marc.

Wow, this is pretty cool! I am very excited for Go The Way You Go, it's a very cool song with (in it's original version) had a terrible sound. The Light is composed brilliantly but produced terribly.

[RoeDent]

I'm not really missing out then if it's just re-recordings of old songs.

[utopiarun]

Update on that 3-song EP - Apparently it was recorded earlier this year when the band were at Sweetwater Studios, and they recorded three older SB songs with the current line-up, including at least "Hiding Out" and "Go The Way You Go", according to one poster in the SB Facebook group.

Despite it being just a re-recordings EP, I'm still itching to buy it. Hearing Ted AND Nick (if he's doing any vocals, which seems likely given they're doing at least ONE much older song) do vocals together should be a treat, and I'd like to hear Nick play "Hiding Out" on drums. It'd be neat if the third song was from the Nick-Era, just to cover all three eras of SB.

-Marc.

Wow, this is pretty cool! I am very excited for Go The Way You Go, it's a very cool song with (in it's original version) had a terrible sound. The Light is composed brilliantly but produced terribly.

The sound isn't great on The Light but it doesn't bother me that much, the songs are that good. Interested to hear a new version of "Go The Way You Go" one of my all time favorite songs.

Am I the only one here who doesn't love Ted Leonard's vocals? Yes, he is a fantastic singer, I'm just not sure he's he right fit for SB. I love Nick, his performances on Snow Live are worth the price of admission.

[Orbert]

I'm not really missing out then if it's just re-recordings of old songs.

It's weird. If they had played the same songs live and recorded it all (at a Snow show, for example) I'd want to hear it for sure. But these are "just" studio recordings, so maybe a curiosity at best. They'd be cool bonus tracks maybe.

[KevShmev]

I'm not really missing out then if it's just re-recordings of old songs.

It's weird. If they had played the same songs live and recorded it all (at a Snow show, for example) I'd want to hear it for sure. But these are "just" studio recordings, so maybe a curiosity at best. They'd be cool bonus tracks maybe.

These two thoughts sum it up for me as well.  Seems like a pointless release, but I am sure the majority of fans will eat it up.

[Fritzinger]

I like it actually. The current line up will have a cool sound I am sure. And I am excited how the old songs will sound. Although I am way more excited for Go The Way You Go than I am for Hiding Out.

[ProfessorPeart]

This may be similar to what another band that I follow did. Sweetwater does these couple of day training/info sessions on what it takes to record in the studio. They bring in an established band and have them track a few songs live while training on a board.

Guessing they may have done the same thing with the Beard.

[Orbert]

Yeah, if it's basically "live in the studio" then that could be really cool.  I'm sure it'll sound great anyway.  Just the idea of re-doing songs from your own catalogue with a different lineup seems weird to me.  But like I said, that's some kind of weird bias I have between studio and live or something, because when you play live, it's obviously whoever's in the band at the time, so it's gonna be different (and probably really good) anyway.

[ProfessorPeart]

This may be similar to what another band that I follow did. Sweetwater does these couple of day training/info sessions on what it takes to record in the studio. They bring in an established band and have them track a few songs live while training on a board.

Guessing they may have done the same thing with the Beard.

For once, I was right. I went back and looked at what The Dead Deads did and then was able to find the page for the Recording Master Class with the Beard.

Look at the link below to see what this was. It's actually pretty neat and I really wanted to go to the one The Dead Deads did but couldn't afford it. They actually invited fans to attend if they could.

https://www.sweetwater.com/events/2017/09/spocks-beard-master-class/

[The Letter M]

Ryo posted a clip on Facebook of Ted singing/recording a track that they wrote together for the next album titled "Beginning".

-Marc.

[Mladen]

As 2018 approaches, I'm starting to look forward to some albums that are coming up. This is one of them. 

[RoeDent]

Been on a bit of a Spock's kick in recent days. Currently listening to Beware of Darkness. Fantastic album, especially the closing track Time Has Come.