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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: KevShmev on September 08, 2015, 08:18:34 PM

Title: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on September 08, 2015, 08:18:34 PM
The Light

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/57/SpocksBeardTheLight.jpg)

We kick it off with Spock's Beard debut album from 1995.  I am a bit envious of those who were around and listening to them from the start; I can only imagine what my reaction would have been if this had been my first Beard record, instead of the fourth I heard in the latter part of 2000.  When the Beard began, they were a four-piece band: Neal Morse on lead vocals and keyboards, Alan Morse on guitars, David Meros on bass, and Nick D'Virgilio on drums and background vocals; Ryo Okumoto, I believe, was added as a second keyboarist when they toured on this record, and was an official member by the time the second album rolled around. 

But, back to the first, it's not often that you can say, "This band's first song on their first album is their best," about any band, but in the case of Spock's Beard, it might be true.  If "The Light" isn't their best song, it is certainly in the conversation.  It has everything that defined the Beard in the early days: great melodies, nice harmonies, gorgeous mellow parts, some great rocking moments, a bit of quirkiness, a great thematic sense, and plenty of drama.  The fact that Neal Morse has played this song quite a bit live over the years as a solo artists speaks volumes as to how much he knows fans love this song.  It's a major winner in every regard.

"Go the Way You Go" has long been a song that many diehard fans love to pieces, as well, although, for me, it has always been a song I liked a lot, rather than loved.  Every time I hear it, I enjoy the hell out of it, but it's never been a song that I go out of my way to hear, like so many of their longer pieces.

Speaking of which, "The Water," at a little over 23 minutes," remains their 2nd longest song to date.  It also contains the most bizarre part of any song they've ever done, the FU section, which still sounds just odd to me at times (hearing Neal Morse scream FU over and over is just so strange :lol :lol), but the song overall is pretty freaking awesome.  Some of the best music they've ever written and played is in this song.  It's hard to nail one down single section as being the best, although "A Thief in the Night" would be my gut reaction first pick right now, since every section really is so strong.

"On the Edge" is the unenviable position of being not only the last song on the record, but the only (relatively) short one, giving it a bit of a tacked-on feel, which is a shame because it is a good song, but after those three long songs, getting a breather with a short rocker is not a bad thing, but I am just not sure it should have ended the record.  I think swapping this and "The Water" in the running order would have made for a better flow.  Regardless, this is a fine ending to a most excellent debut.


Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: The Letter M on September 08, 2015, 08:27:13 PM
What a debut! I remember when I first got into this band, this wasn't the first album I heard from them! However, it wasn't long after I discovered them (circa 2005) that I got their first seven albums and ate them all up like I'd never heard music before in my life.

This debut is one of my favorite debuts by ANY band, and the strength of its songs stands high, even today over 20 years later. This album laid out the blueprint for many SB and Neal Morse sounds that would evolve on future albums, and even right off the bat, each of the band's members shine on this record!

Even though I truly enjoy this debut, sadly, it's still on my bottom-end of Beard albums, but that just goes to show that they definitely got better as time went on, even after a really well done first album!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: jingle.boy on September 08, 2015, 08:45:10 PM
Awe man... another discog thread I don't have time to follow.  Well, maybe as a sonic cleanse in between my roulette rounds, I'll get back to them.

I agree with Marc, I put it in the bottom tier of my go-to SB albums, but that just shows how strong their discog is.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: senecadawg2 on September 08, 2015, 08:52:18 PM
I haven't been as active in discography threads in the past as I've wanted. Hopefully this one I'll keep up with a bit better. I've always wanted to check out more Spock's Beard
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: RoeDent on September 09, 2015, 01:35:11 AM
Hooray! Let's do this!

The Light. A great album which I finally got my hands on last autumn. Even though the title track has many short sections (for a 15-minute song), the flow is marvellous. The "All of this in one man" chorus is their first example of vocal counterpoint which will occur several times through the discography. Go the Way You Go is probably my favourite, when pushed for one. The piano music in the intro, and especially its full-band reprise in the outro, always gives me goosebumps. The Water was the first song from this album I got into. Yes, the FU section is bizarre, but the music there still has great drive to it. A Thief in the Night is some of SB's most creepy music, with just the strings and hi-hat at the beginning creating an incredible atmosphere. Reach for the Sky definitely has an end-of-album epicness about it. But it's not. On the Edge follows, and having to compete with three 10-minute-plus 'epics', it feels like it's tacked on to the end. Still a good song though.

Looking forward to joining in when I can. My current discography is: The Light, Beware of Darkness, The Kindness of Strangers, Snow, X, Brief Nocturnes, and The Oblivion Particle.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Elite on September 09, 2015, 02:41:12 AM
What a terrible band. Especially this album and the title-track is horrid.













:neverusethis:



:heart
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 09, 2015, 03:06:00 AM
Alright, I'm in. I'm definitely following and will even try to contribute.

I first heard Spock’s Beard when they opened for Dream Theater during the Scenes From A Memory tour.

They instantly blew me away, not only was the music great, but their live show was sensational. The fun they had on stage, especially Neal handling keyboards, acoustic guitar and vocals, telling stories and dancing around. And we had Mike Portnoy drumming with a Kiss mask during (I think) June.
The next day I bought their then recent record (V) and had another favorite band. Over the next months I got all their albums and was a first day buyer ever since.

On topic - The Light:
What a great debut to start your recording career. It’s not my favorite SB record but it’s really really strong. And it sets the direction. With only four songs and three of them raning from ten minutes to more than twenty minutes long, you knew you had some serious prog.

The opener is fantastic, again not my favorite, but it’s up there. And it has all the Neal Morse/Spock’s Beard trademarks, from the strong melodies to the multi-harmony parts to the flamenco bits to the sometimes quirky guitar parts and the small but great keyboard licks. Everything is there and everything works.

Go The Way You Go is another classic, really good song and probably top ten, or at least top twenty material.

Then we have The Water. Everybody talks about the FU section and yeah, it’s strange but it’s cool, and he says sorry right after  :D Another big epic where everything flows together nicely with some cool dynamics. I sometimes think that The Water is even better than The Light.

And the last Song On The Edge isn’t bad either, it’s just that it sits at the end of these epics and doesn’t really work as an album closer, but I like it nonetheless. And I think the line “Some people are like gravy, spilled on God’s Sunday shirt” is great  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: RoeDent on September 09, 2015, 03:53:38 AM
And I think the line “Some people are like gravy, spilled on God’s Sunday shirt” is great  :metal

You're an album too early there. That's from Waste Away.

I first heard of Spock's Beard when DT namechecked Day for Night in Octavarium's "Full Circle" section: "Day for nightmare cinema show..."
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 09, 2015, 04:10:39 AM
And I think the line “Some people are like gravy, spilled on God’s Sunday shirt” is great  :metal

You're an album too early there. That's from Waste Away.


Oh shit, you're right  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Mladen on September 09, 2015, 04:54:14 AM
I honestly don't remember if this was my first Beard album. It might have been V or The Kindness of strangers, it really was quite a while ago, seven and a half years probably.

But whatever, this album is fantastic. My favorite Beard release and one of my all time favorite albums. The Water is my favorite song of theirs (music rarely gets better than this), The Light is top 5 material as well, On the edge is tremendous, Go the way you go is very good. I love the album cover as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: wolfking on September 09, 2015, 05:00:55 AM
I might try and follow this.  Spock's Beard is one band I could never really get into.  Saying that I own;

Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep (2CD)
Feel Euphoria
Gluttons for Punishment – Live in ‘05
Octane

I think I have a DVD too.  So might get them out when they are discussed.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Elite on September 09, 2015, 05:31:53 AM
I made this thread (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=36125.msg1527199#msg1527199) once to show my love for the Beard. It's a top 30 Beard songs and I'd say it's still pretty accurate. Warning before you drcide to necro it, the thread is 2.5 years old :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Podaar on September 09, 2015, 08:39:33 AM
I'm going to follow along with this thread as my introduction to the band. I literally haven't listened to a single thing from them. Hopefully I'll enjoy it more than Neal's solo output.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Nick on September 09, 2015, 08:59:25 AM
I've never found The Light to be one of their best album, nor one of their best songs. That said, when Neal joined them on the cruise for The Light, that particular performance was one of the best I've ever seen from anyone. He just laid into that song. The album has grown for sure, but I still definitely prefer Kindless, Beware, and V for sure.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: KevShmev on September 09, 2015, 09:47:55 PM
I didn't mention this before, but The Light is the best "sounding" of the first four albums.  It has a very nice, warm, organic sound, and I dare say that it is their only album that has that specific kind of mix.  The albums from V till the newest one all pretty much sound the same, with regards to mix and dynamics, but of the first four, The Light really stands out ahead of the others in that regard. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: jingle.boy on September 09, 2015, 10:00:24 PM
I first heard of Spock's Beard when DT namechecked Day for Night in Octavarium's "Full Circle" section: "Day for nightmare cinema show..."

Ditto... man, 10 years ago now!

I might try and follow this.  Spock's Beard is one band I could never really get into.  Saying that I own;

Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep (2CD)
Feel Euphoria
Gluttons for Punishment – Live in ‘05
Octane

I think I have a DVD too.  So might get them out when they are discussed.

Well, no wonder you're having trouble getting into them.  BNADS is great; FE... one of the worst; Octane I like, but many others do not, and GFP is good, but Octane heavy.  Follow along, we'll give you the goods.

I've never found The Light to be one of their best album, nor one of their best songs. That said, when Neal joined them on the cruise for The Light, that particular performance was one of the best I've ever seen from anyone. He just laid into that song. The album has grown for sure, but I still definitely prefer Kindless, Beware, and V for sure.

All of this.  I wasn't a fan of The Light, but man... that rendition they did on the boat...  :hefdaddy.  It made me a fan.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 10, 2015, 01:10:21 AM
I didn't mention this before, but The Light is the best "sounding" of the first four albums.  It has a very nice, warm, organic sound, and I dare say that it is their only album that has that specific kind of mix.  The albums from V till the newest one all pretty much sound the same, with regards to mix and dynamics, but of the first four, The Light really stands out ahead of the others in that regard.

Funny that you mention that because I think the completely opposite. The Light sounds nice but a little "rough" in my ears, I always thought that you could hear that they didn't have the biggest budget.

And we Europeans got a different cover, which is kinda moody but not that special:

(https://www.spocksbeard.com/images/cd_light2.jpg)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 10, 2015, 08:46:20 AM
This remains one of my favorite SB albums, and one of my favorite prog albums, period.

3 of my favorite SB songs.  Love it, love it, love it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: KevShmev on September 10, 2015, 05:32:48 PM
I didn't mention this before, but The Light is the best "sounding" of the first four albums.  It has a very nice, warm, organic sound, and I dare say that it is their only album that has that specific kind of mix.  The albums from V till the newest one all pretty much sound the same, with regards to mix and dynamics, but of the first four, The Light really stands out ahead of the others in that regard.

Funny that you mention that because I think the completely opposite. The Light sounds nice but a little "rough" in my ears, I always thought that you could hear that they didn't have the biggest budget.

I agree that it's a little rough around the edges, but in a good way.  Sometimes, bands (not the Beard) can get too clever with sound once they get a budget.  At the beginning, it's just you and your songs, and the rawness of that kind of sound can be very appealing, when done right.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Señor Valasco
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 11, 2015, 08:31:24 AM
I agree.  It's clear, but not too slick.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: KevShmev on September 11, 2015, 06:02:04 PM
Beware of Darkness

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/SpocksBeard_BewareOfDarkness.jpg)

This was the first Spock's album I ever heard, and while I remember liking it at first, I have zero recollection as to what songs or even what moments grabbed me at first; I just remember liking it.  Being that this was 2000, shortly after I got into Transatlantic and SMPTe, I thought Spock's was a little rougher around the edges than TA, but the sound and style was obviously similar enough to where I knew this was a band I would become a fan of pretty easily.  And the four-some was now a five-some, as Ryo Okumoto was an official member of the band as a second keyboardist, focusing mainly on mellotron and hammond organ, while Neal handled the synths and piano.

The album kicks off with the title track, a cover of a George Harrison song from the early 70s. I had no idea it was a cover the first time I heard it (I didn't hear the Harrison original until years later), so judging it on its own, without any type of comparison to the original, I always thought it was a good song.  Nice beginning to the record.

"Thoughts" began the Thoughts series of songs (which has seen parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 so far; where is 4?? :Lol).   This is by far the best of the four done thus far.  I am not always wild about the songs that center around those multi-part harmonies that are reminiscent of Gentle Giant, a band the Beard was clearly influenced by early on, but I am very wild about this song.  It's so quirky and so odd, yet so insanely catchy.  I love the creepy musical bits in the song. 

I talked the other day about songs that are in the discussion for best Beard song ever.  Track 3, "The Doorway," is in that discussion.  This is a perfectly written mini-epic tune, featuring a gorgeous piano intro (that always strikes me as Neal Morse's attempt to do a "Firth of Fifth"-type intro), soaring vocal harmonies, a rad as hell acoustic section in the middle, and two epic endings (!!), the first being the fake-out before the real ending.  This song is just freaking killer.

"Chatauqua" is a short, nice, little acoustic guitar number, played, I believe, by Neal Morse.  Someone correct me if I am wrong.  It's a nice bridge between the two mini-epics.

The next mini-epic, "Walking on the Wind," features one of the more bad ass bass lines David Meros has ever laid down.  There is so much going on in this song that is wonderful, but I often find myself getting lost in the bass line when listening to this. Chris Squire was clearly a big influence on Meros, and nowhere is that more evident that in this song.  This is also one of the Beard's best overall tunes.

"Waste Away" is catchy as hell, and the hook appears to be in the keyboard main melody, not the vocals, not always an easy thing to pull off.  I think this song sometimes gets overlooked, which is a shame because it shows Neal Morse's ability to write insanely catchy melodies.  For as complicated and "out there" as prog can get, you still need good melodies, and this song shows that Neal could sing the phone book and it would sound awesome. :lol :lol

The final track, the 16-minute plus "Time Has Come," is a bit of a strange track, almost maniacal at times, but I find is strangely appealing.  It has some of the best melodies on this record, not to mention some goofy lyrics, but the vocal effect Neal uses on his voice for much of this song gives it a somewhat twisted feel, which I like a lot.  There is no other Beard song that sounds like this one, and Nick D'Virgilio's often-underrated drumming really shines through on this song.  His sense of timing and restraint and knowing when to let loose is really on display here.

Like The Light, I put Beware of Darkness in their top tier of records, and some days it is my number 1 album of theirs.  A phenomenal sophomore effort. :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Mladen on September 12, 2015, 04:24:18 AM
I absolutely love Thoughts and The Doorway, and Time has come is also pretty great, although I don't listen to it too often. The rest of the tracks are not as spectacular but not bad either. Not one of my favorite SB albums, but still very good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 12, 2015, 07:01:28 AM
Sneaking in a comment about the first record. I love The Light, I really like the way it sounds like a home demo, haha. Makes the quirky parts even more quirky. I must say that The Water is not my favorite SB long song, they have done way better afterwards. I like the main theme, the ending is great, but after listening to that song for 23 minutes I always get the impression that I've heard 10 minutes of music, and a lot of filler.

I've only just starting to really appreciate the two records after The Light. I've always liked a couple of tracks, but now the rest is starting to grow. I think the worst track on Beware of Darkness is Walking on the Wind, although that one is still catchy and rocking. (I'm not really counting Chatauqua btw, just an interlude to me) Favorite piece (of course) is The Doorway, what an epic track.


I've always been a NM-era SB fan, but starting to catch up on the rest. Stuff I own:
The Light (limited artwork collectors series)
Beware of Darkness
The Kindness of Strangers (reisssue)
The Beard is out There
From the Vault
Day for Night
Don't Try This At Home (CD and DVD)
V
Snow (regular and 3CD version)
The Making of Snow (DVD)
Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: RoeDent on September 12, 2015, 10:26:15 AM
BoD was the first SB album I bought, about 2½ years ago now. My favourite songs are Thoughts, Waste Away and Time Has Come. I didn't realise until I bought it that the incredibly talented and much missed Kevin Gilbert mixed some of the songs. His influence is most notable in Walking on the Wind. The hi-hat/bass passage that introduces the vocals could have come straight from Toy Matinee.

Waste Away is their catchiest song, imo. I quite often have its chorus ringing in my head.

Even though it's not listed as a multi-movement piece, Time Has Come is clearly in four distinct sections. Not really imaginative, but I've given titles to these sections:

I. Time Has Come (0:00-7:44)
II. Cardboard People (7:44-11:18)
III. If You Leave (11:18-13:46)
IV. Time Has Come (reprise) (13:46-16:22)

Anyway, I'm a big fan of the song. One of my favourite SB 'epics'.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Mladen on September 12, 2015, 12:14:56 PM
That If you leave bit is fantastic, classic Neal Morse.  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: KevShmev on September 12, 2015, 12:40:04 PM
I've never thought about it, but that does surprise me that Time Has Come doesn't have titles for the subsections, given that we know how much Neal loves to do that. :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: The Letter M on September 12, 2015, 02:32:39 PM
I've never thought about it, but that does surprise me that Time Has Come doesn't have titles for the subsections, given that we know how much Neal loves to do that. :lol

Beware Of Darkness is one of the few prog albums that Neal has been on (not counting things like Flying Colors, really, just SB, solo prog and TA) that hasn't had a multi-part song, with The Grand Experiment being one of the others. All of the TA albums have multi-part songs, and conceptual albums like both Testimony albums, ? and Snow could be considered collections of songs in suites, or in the case of the Testimony albums, they're all in 8 total parts across 3 discs.

Even in recent years, Neal has written LONG epics without movements, like "Seeds Of Gold" and "Alive Again", which always made me wonder WHY they didn't have separate sections when they totally sound like they do. I guess Neal didn't feel like coming up with them at the time! :lol

Beware Of Darkness was initially, and still is, one of my all-time favorite SB albums, and one of my favorite albums PERIOD. Every track is unique, but stands strong as a great representation of what the Beard means and does, at least to me. They took the best bits of their debut and refined them into more concise, tighter ideas with catchy hooks and impressive chops, creating some of the best classic SB tunes out there, including "Thoughts", "The Doorway" and "Waste Away".

The Gentle Giant influences flourished, as well as Yes and Genesis, and it seemed like they were taking their idols ideas and tweaking them to their own tastes, creating something that was fresh at the time, and still is to these ears. In fact, my last girlfriend grew to LOVE this album, out of all of the 6 Morse-Era SB albums I played for her, and she still loves it to this day several years later, and she's not really in to prog at all! I guess the album has enough pop sensibilities to appeal to non-prog audiences while still retaining what SB does as a prog band. Then again, Neal has always, and will eventually become one of the best prog-pop writers in modern prog. His ability to craft catchy choruses and hooks and combine them with expert performances creates a seamless bond of prog and pop, and sometimes metal and jazz!

As stated before, everyone on this album is on fire, and it felt like they had something to prove after their debut, and they definitely proved it. It's not often that a great debut is followed up by an equally great, if not greater sophomore effort, but Neal and company definitely offered up something that stands up to The Light.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: KevShmev on September 12, 2015, 10:49:07 PM
Having listened to both this week, I think I can safely say that I like Beware of Darkness a bit more than The Light. Both are terrific albums, but BoD is the better of the two, IMO.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 14, 2015, 01:43:05 AM
For me Beware of Darkness is a good follow-up effort but it doesn’t quite reach up to The Light. Ranking the albums, BoD would be more in the lower tier. That said this album isn’t bad at all, it only shows how strong their whole discography is.

The title track is nice but doesn’t really grab me and I’ve yet to hear Harrison’s original.

Thoughts is also nice, but I think the multi-part harmonies are better in other songs (my favorite is Part 2). For me, here the different vocal parts don’t really flow together.

Then we have the absolute fabulous The Doorway. One oft he best songs ever written. The intro, the melodies, the chorus etc. everything is just perfect.

Chatauqua is a nice interlude but nothing to write home about. And I also believe that this is played by Neal and not Alan.

Walking on the Wind is another great song. Like Kev already mentioned this has a great bass-line and Dave Meros is clearly influenced by Chris Squire, but he also has the funk of the likes of Tower of Power, he's just so versatile and so groovy.

Waste Away has a catchy keyboard melody and is a nice written pop song which features one of my favorite lyrics line (as I mentioned prematurly in The Light discussion).

And then we have the final epic: Time Has Come. This is also nice but doesn’t come close to the likes of The Light or The Water, in fact, for me it is one oft he „weaker“ epics to close out an album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Elite on September 14, 2015, 02:39:18 AM
"Thoughts" began the Thoughts series of songs (which has seen parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 so far; where is 4?? :Lol).

I believe Neal Morse deliberately named Thoughts (Part 5) that way, so that the guys in Spock's Beard would have the room for a Part Four if they ever want to do that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Mladen on September 14, 2015, 03:38:47 AM
Which one is part 3? Afterthoughts?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: RoeDent on September 14, 2015, 04:54:17 AM
Until they fill it (if ever they do), I think of Thoughts, Pt. 4 as a blank space for us to each fill with our own Thoughts.

(However, if they did write a Part 4, then surely "Forethought" would be the title.)

Which one is part 3? Afterthoughts?

Yes. "By the way, on third thought, you shouldn't open that box I sent ya".
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: Mladen on September 14, 2015, 11:47:10 AM
Oh yeah, I never got that particular reference! That's great.  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 14, 2015, 02:12:25 PM
Great, great album.  A worthy follow-up to The Light.  Lots of great tuneage on this album all killer, no filler (which I can't say about all SB albums).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: jingle.boy on September 15, 2015, 11:19:03 AM
Can't remember exactly where it landed during my SB discovery period... probably 3rd or 4th.  Stellar album, anchored by The Doorway.  God-tier song there.  I'd put this one in the top tier of my SB albums, but towards the bottom... so overall, middle of the road.  I think the final 3 songs are under-rated, and often overlooked due to the awesomeness of The Doorway.  Really enjoy those three tracks.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: KevShmev on September 16, 2015, 06:53:54 PM
The Kindness of Strangers

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/SpocksBeardKindnessOfStrangers.jpg)

1998 saw the Beard release their 3rd studio album, The Kindness of Strangers.  I love this record, but for some reason, I never seem to rank it with the best of their best, even though I love it. I think the sound of it bothers me at times - some of the more rocking parts sound a bit muddy and noisy - or maybe I am just being a knucklehead. :lol :lol

This album was pretty much more of the same, kicking off with "The Good Don't Last," which manages to be really catchy and really proggy at the same time.  I like how the main melody is reprised on various-sounding keyboards, adding a fun and almost silly element to the song. Alan Morse's solo at the end is terrific.

"In the Mouth of Madness" has sort of fallen into that "I never listen to it on its own" category for me, but it's another fun as heck song.  This album features a lot of great mellotron moments, and it being backdrop to the chorus was a great decision.  "Cakewalk on Easy Street" is another fun rocker, although not as silly as its predecessor.

"June" is probably one of their most loved songs, and for good reason: it is insanely catchy.  It's one of those songs you could see someone playing at an acoustic at a fireside hangout on a cool autumn night. Ya know, if the Beard were popular enough to where more people knew the song. :lol  That aside, it's a great song, and shows the ability of Neal Morse to write something insanely catchy.

"Strange World" is another fun, short rocker.  In fact, three of the seven songs here fall under that description.  And they all manage to have some cool dynamic shifts, instead of rocking all the way through, including this one.  The cool little breakdown before the last chorus, where the music stops and we hear nothing but samples, is very Beatles-esque.

And then, we get to "Harm's Way," which is a borderline top 10 Beard tune, in my book. There is nothing about this song that isn't great.  And amazingly, it's not even the best song on this record. That would be...

"Flow," which is a top 5 Beard song.  I'm admittedly not always a big fan of Alan Morse, but he slays in this song.  The solo at the end is arguably his best, and his leads in the first section are absolutely stellar.  The entire band is on fire in this song, and this is one of the finest songs Neal Morse has ever crafted.   :coolio :hat

So yeah, this is another winner by the Beard, and I freaking love it. :tup :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 17, 2015, 03:48:34 AM
Flow never really gets the love it deserves. Great to see that you like it that much!

Harms Way really rocks, especially after seeing it live on the latest NMB tour.

The Good Don't Last is like a diet-epic. In 10 minutes everything happens that Spock's Beard is known for, I really love it for that, on of my favorites as well.

After that you get a couple of 'oh yeah cool' songs. Which makes the album overall just a little less great than Beware of Darkness, I think. But still, after 3 records you could still be debating on what the worst song is, and it would be a very difficult decision. So much good stuff up until Kindness.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Zydar on September 17, 2015, 03:51:13 AM
My 2nd favourite SB album after V. June was the first song of theirs I heard, still love it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 17, 2015, 04:19:35 AM
I like this more than Beware Of Darkness, it's just such a really great record, probably my 2nd favorite of the Neil albums (or is it The Light?). With this record they really have found and developed their style, so you know what to expect and they don't disappoint.

The Good Don't Last is one of my favorite SB tunes.

In The Mouth Of Madness and Cakewalk On Easy Street are shorter but nonetheless interesting rocking songs.

The June is a nice acoustic driven ballad, which is a little bit overplayed (if something like this could be said for a band like Spock's Beard).

The Stanger is another short song, nice but not as good as MoM or Cakewalk.

And then the epics: Harm's Way is really strong but it's Flow that takes the cake. And the guitar solo/theme at the end is just majestic.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Mladen on September 17, 2015, 06:01:43 AM
Flow is truly remarkable, one of my favorite SB tunes. As far as the shorter tracks go, Madnes, Cakewalk and Strange world are pretty great. I never really liked June that much, and Harm's way is kind of okay.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Dr. DTVT on September 17, 2015, 10:05:21 AM
As I said earlier in the thread, this is my second favorite Neal era album, and it was also my introduction to SB.  My only complaints are that June is played at almost every show - I was actually happy they left it off at RoSFest, and the rest of the album never seemed to get it's due.  I think we are all in agreement that In Harms Way and Flow are masterpieces, and I think Cakewalk would make a killer live song, and the rest of the album is no slouch either.

I was thinking of this last night - saying you think _______ album is Spock's tenth best album isn't nearly the damning statement that saying you think _________ is Dream Theater's tenth best album.  Replace tenth with any number from 6 to 12 really.  They have been remarkably consistent in producing quality material.  There are few bands that have released 10 or more albums that have managed to have their worst album be good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 17, 2015, 10:26:39 AM
About that. I've only listened to one post-Neal SB album. That's basically why I'm interested in this thread so much.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 17, 2015, 12:10:28 PM
Yeah, so, this album is freakin' awesome.

Just sayin'.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: The Letter M on September 17, 2015, 01:05:03 PM
How do you follow up an amazing debut and an equally astonishing sophomore album? Do it again, but a little different!

This album is not shy about its epics, as it opens with a good "mini-epic" in three parts, which provides a great taste of what's to come on the rest of the album. "The Good Don't Last" is one of my all-time favorite SB tracks, and a fave on this album, but the other epics are just as great, if not better (and they also fall under all-time faves).

The short songs here range from Gentle Giant-ish, to softer, ballad-esque acoustic, to just plain old hard rock. There's a good variety here and I think it shows off the various sides and faces of SB's sounds and influences.

The aforementioned OTHER epics include the rocking "Harm's Way", where one of my favorite SB moments comes in near the end where Nick does some tasty drum soloing for one section, then there's some great organ in the following bit. You know what I'm talking about if you've heard the song before!

"Flow" definitely doesn't get the attention it deserves, especially for a closing epic, and I wish Neal or SB would bring this one out again!

Kev - are you skipping live albums and just doing studio albums? I was wondering where The Beard Is Out There was!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 17, 2015, 01:28:29 PM
I love the fact that everybody so far has been saying that Flow doesn't get enough recognition, or is underrated. That would mean that we as a group are so avant-garde  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Orbert on September 17, 2015, 02:07:16 PM
Wow, I need to pay more attention.  The Spock's Beard disco party is already on the third album and I didn't even know it started.

Well, now I do.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: RoeDent on September 17, 2015, 02:33:58 PM
The Kindness of Strangers. I got this album in July, and it's my most recent SB purchase apart from the newly-released The Oblivion Particle. In fact, I gave it another spin this Monday just gone. The Good Don't Last is a great opener, with plenty of the obligatory SB cello sound that also makes its way into Transatlantic regularly. Then come four shorter songs, which are slowly growing on me. My favourite of these is definitely June. I can see why it's so popular. The way the bass and drums don't come in until the final verse/chorus is a masterstroke. Also, some softer and more subtle vocal counterpoint going on. After Strange World comes Harm's Way, which was an instant "Wow!" moment when I first listened to it. It's been one of the songs that has soundtracked my summer this year. I'm a huge fan of the "Pretty maids in a row" section, particularly Alan Morse's magnificent guitar solo. The final key-changed verse is another goosebumps moment. Finally we have Flow. I was already familiar with this song before I bought the album, and it was the one that made me get it. The instrumental coda is my favourite section here. Wonderful way to end the album; it reminds me of the similar-length outro to Pink Floyd's Sorrow. The long crescendo of buildup to this outro is great as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Onno on September 17, 2015, 02:35:50 PM
I should listen to SB more. So now I'm following this thread.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: KevShmev on September 17, 2015, 04:52:45 PM
Kev - are you skipping live albums and just doing studio albums? I was wondering where The Beard Is Out There was!

Yes. I'm not bothering with live albums this time around.  To me, featuring live albums or best of albums drags discography threads down.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 18, 2015, 02:55:15 AM
Listening to Flow right now, that piece between 6:00 and 6:30 is great, starting with the drum fills, Nick is an underrated drummer. I'd really love to have a live version of this song. Has it never been played/released live? Not even on an Inner Circle release, or a bootleg?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: KevShmev on September 18, 2015, 06:22:14 AM
  After Strange World comes Harm's Way, which was an instant "Wow!" moment when I first listened to it. It's been one of the songs that has soundtracked my summer this year. I'm a huge fan of the "Pretty maids in a row" section, particularly Alan Morse's magnificent guitar solo.

I didn't think to mention that part before, but you are right, it is magnificent.

From a soloing standpoint, this is Alan Morse's best album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: The Letter M on September 18, 2015, 09:12:08 AM
Listening to Flow right now, that piece between 6:00 and 6:30 is great, starting with the drum fills, Nick is an underrated drummer. I'd really love to have a live version of this song. Has it never been played/released live? Not even on an Inner Circle release, or a bootleg?

https://www.discogs.com/Spocks-Beard-Europe-98/release/2821279

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Orbert on September 18, 2015, 01:05:49 PM
Got out of work last night, continued listening through the first album as I drove to choir practice.  I'm reminded that Neal's spiritual lyrics were present even on the first album.  Get lost in the tunes for a little bit.  As I'm pulling into the church parking lot, "FUCK YOU!!" starts blasting out my speakers.  It was a somewhat odd and surreal moment.  Good thing the windows were up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 18, 2015, 01:55:47 PM
Nice.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: RoeDent on September 18, 2015, 02:23:35 PM
EDIT: Sorry, ignore this. Made a mistake.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: Zydar on September 18, 2015, 02:25:18 PM
It's in the lyrics to "The Good Don't Last".


Edit: okay then  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: The Letter M on September 18, 2015, 04:36:37 PM
It should be noted that for this album, two bonus tracks were recorded, though only one was released with the album.

"Stratus" is a Billy Cobham instrumental, and on the SB website for theFrom The Vault (https://spocksbeard.com/discography/vault.html) page, Neal has this to say:

Quote
"Originally on Billy Cobham's Spectrum LP, we recorded it during the Kindness of Strangers sessions in April of '97 at Kevin Gilbert's studio. It was going to be the bonus track for Kindness, but, Ryo brought in a sketch of what would become 'Into Fire' and Stratus just couldn't compare! Since it's Nick's favorite way to start rehearsals, and Al and I have been jamming to it since we were teenagers, we thought it would be fun to record. And it was."

The other track, as Neal says, is "Into Fire", a more metal-inspired track for the Japanese audience.

Quote
"Dave says of this writing/recording session, "By far, that's the most fun I've ever had in the studio!". This was also recorded at Kevin's in April of '97 and was written and recorded in 4 hours. Ryo brought the charts (he had written the music that day) and while the rest of the band was cutting the track, I was in the corner scribbling down lines like "Throw yourself upon the flaming pyre". In the 3rd hour Dave, Ryo and I wrote the whole lyric. I remember Dave throwing in critical words when I was stuck like, 'tainted', to which came a resounding "ooohhhh, that's good!" from the rest of us, and the line "bathed in tainted blood" was born. collaboration at it's finest! Note: that's Ryo on the top background vocal part. While Dave, Ryo and I were doing the backgrounds we were laughing so hard we were crying! Maybe you had to be there..." Note:

"Into Fire" is the result of JVC requesting a Heavy Metal song as a bonus track for the Japanese release of "The Kindness Of Strangers"

So there you have it, two bonus tracks from the album, one original and one cover, so obviously, these two don't get any attention, if ever, even among die-hard fans! If you've never heard these, check them out at least once!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: KevShmev on September 18, 2015, 06:27:57 PM
I remember checking Into Fire out way back when and not liking it too much.  Listening again now, yeah, it's okay, I guess, but if I never hear it again, I won't care. :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: The Letter M on September 19, 2015, 03:46:26 PM
So I've always felt like the band's first three albums form a sort of trilogy that really feels coherent. Their next three albums never really felt like them at all, even though I could say that all 6 of the Neal-Era albums have a different feels apart from each other, the first three feel like a set to me. I'm not sure why, but it just comes off that way. Perhaps it was the way I discovered the band and got those three together.

Upon thinking about that, I realized each of the first three albums has a song title with the word "Way" in it - Go The Way You Go, The Doorway, and Harm's Way. I thought that was an interesting tidbit!

I also realized last week that in the lyrics for "Waste Away", there's a line "reaching for the sky", which feels like an obvious reference to "The Water", while "June" plainly name-calls "Waste Away" in its lyrics. I love all the little references to song lyrics and titles among their songs.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: KevShmev on September 20, 2015, 07:35:29 AM
Day for Night

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/SpocksBeardDayForNight.jpg)

1999 saw the release of the band's 4th studio album, Day for Night.  Reviews have always been pretty mixed on this, and I am usually on the side of those who call it one of the band's weaker efforts - it's definitely the least best of the Neal era and their 2nd or 3rd least best overall - but I still like it a lot.

The title track, which kicks off the album, gets us off to a great start, with that fantastic intro and a song featuring some really catchy vocal melodies.  This is a song that is very hard to not sing along to.

Unfortunately, things take a mediocre turn pretty quickly with the next two songs.  "Gibberish" is just that: pure gibberish.  Pretty crappy song, featuring a multi-part harmony that is mostly really annoying, and the music sounds pretty rehashed and boring (it borrows from one of their own songs, "In the Mouth of Madness").  This is in my bottom 3 Spock's Beard songs.  "Skin" isn't awful so much that it is really bland. It's like it tried to be catchy in there, but missed the mark. The band sounds bored out of their minds in this song.

Things get back on track a little bit with "Distance to the Sun," a nice little acoustic number, featuring some great harmonies between Neal and NDV.  This isn't one of their better slower tunes, but it's a nice, enjoyable one.

"Crack the Big Sky" is next, and this song is where the album gets great.  This is a longtime favorite of mine.  Very proggy song, with an intro that ends with a section that always make you want to clap along.  Very nice dynamics throughout in this song, with some wonderful mellow moments and some great rocking sections.  Great use of the saxophone in the second half of this song.  Fantastic tune.

"The Gypsy" was my instant favorite from this record originally, and while I am not sure I would now give it the edge over the previous track on the album, I still love it.  This song is their Beard rocking their balls off!  :metal  David Meros' bass work in this one is off the charts, Neal gives us another catchy as hell vocal melody to sing along to, and Okumoto's work on the mellotron is absolutely perfect.

The next one was one co-written with Alan Morse and NDV, which you would have thought would have given us something new and cool, but instead it gave us a piece of crap, syrupy tune like "Can't Get It Wrong," which is comfortably the worst song the band has ever released on a studio album.  It's just awful.

The album ends with the 7-part suite known as "The Healing Colors of Sound."  Overall, it's a really good piece of music, although I think it could have been condensed a little bit.  Had the suite ended with Part 2 of the "The Healing Colors," I think it would have came off better, instead of having what seems like the unnecessary "My Shoes (Revisited)" reprise, following that ear-grinding static noise in "Urban Noise."  That aside, this songs shows off the quirky nature of the band, especially in "Mommy Comes Back," which is infectiously fabulous.  And "Lay It Down" is a good example of a killer vibe, and a great lead-up to the vocal reprise of the "Healing Colors" theme, which was all instrumental in Part 1.  Individually, "Lay It Down" is one of my favorite songs on this entire record.  The suite as a whole is really good, but I can't call it great.  I think this is where Neal started to get a little too reprise-happy at times when writing long songs/suites.

Overall, this is a good album. It has some clunkers, a couple of great tunes, and then a few songs that are really good.  It's not even close to being one of their best, but it's still one worth having if you are a fan.  :coolio


Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: Mladen on September 20, 2015, 08:06:10 AM
This is a fairly mixed album. I personally love the first three songs - the title track is a classic, Skin is extremely catchy and one of their better crafted poppier tunes, and Gibberish shows their multi-part vocal harmonies at their best as far as I'm concerned, it's inspiring how they pull such stuff off. Crack the big sky is also a classic, and the epic tune at the end took me a while to appreciate it, some of the sections are great and some of them are just okay, but overall it's still pretty neat. I think seeing it live last year improved it for me, they changed the key on it and some of the melodies suddenly stood out much more, which happens often.

Can't get it wrong is one of my least favorite Spock's Beard songs as well. The Gypsy is another lesser favorite of mine, truly below their standards. Overall, yeah, the album has its great and its bad moments, it's my least favorite Neal era record, but it's still good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 20, 2015, 08:39:56 AM
I'm more on the side of Mladen than with you Kev. I really like Gibberish and don't really like The Gypsy. The Healing Colors though makes up for everything, my first love of Spock's's' music, I believe. I dig this album a lot when I'm in the mood for poppier stuff. Sometimes Snow is just too long, and The Light is too much prog, and that's when I really like this album.
I must say though that after checking out the tracklist right now, this could be the album with the least 'great' songs on it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: Orbert on September 20, 2015, 05:24:33 PM
Day for Night was my intro to the band.  Like many of us, Transatlantic had led me to check out Spock's Beard and The Flower Kings (I was already familiar with Marillion and of course DT) and I was still in the CD club, that's how long ago this was.  It was a great intro, actually, because as others have said, it's not weak, it's just one of the less-great albums in a very strong discography.  With nothing to compare it to, it pretty much blew me away, and it only got better as I dug more into The Beard.

"Crack the Big Sky" is awesome.   :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 21, 2015, 03:44:25 AM
Day For Night is definitely a mixed bag. When I first got the record I thought they were going away from prog. Fourteen tracks and no epic? Turned out it wasn't that bad and that there was an epic, it was only hidden because it was divided into separate tracks.

Does someone know if this was label forced? Shorter songs to maybe appeal more to the masses and produce singles? And the epic was divided into separate tracks to "hide" it from the label? Or are their other reasons?

Day For Night is a great opener, Gibberish is kinda nice and Skin is okay but nothing special. The Distance To The Sun is a good laid back tune and Crack The Big Sky is probably the album's highlight. The Gypsy is meh and Can't Get It Wrong is just not good at all. And sadly The Healing Colours Of Sound can't live up to the epics on the previous records. It's good but not great.

On the european editions there is a bonus track called Hurt, with a heavy guitar riff but nothing special going on. I always thought that this was the "metal" song the label requested as a bonus track for Japan. But maybe I got this wrong.

So all in all not a bad record but not a great one either. Second least favorite from the Neal era.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: jingle.boy on September 21, 2015, 06:56:46 AM
Like Bob, this was my first introduction... but coming from it's reference in 8vm/Full Circle.  I never was a huge 70s prog fan, but this blew me away, and stunned that music like this was still being made.  It was like the first time I heard DT... smart, well crafted, unique, diverse - so many adjectives to use as I heard this for the first time.  At one point, it was still my favorite SB album.  Looking and listening back, sure it has some flaws, and it's probably dropped a few spots nowadays, but still holds a special place for me in the history of my musical discovery

Back on TKOS (finally listening to it this morning)... this is my probably my 2nd or 3rd fave album by them now, not a bad song on the disc.  Two epics, arguably their most 'popular' song in June, a great rocker In the Mouth of Madness, and a 10 minute opener that doesn't feel anywhere close to 10 minutes it's so cohesive and smooth.

Flawless album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 21, 2015, 10:34:14 AM
This was one of my first SB albums.  I still like it a lot, and will always have a soft spot in my heart for it, but I agree that it is the least of the NM-era albums.

I still like a lot of these songs better than Kev does lol.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: jingle.boy on September 21, 2015, 11:56:00 AM
This was one of my first SB albums.  I still like it a lot, and will always have a soft spot in my heart for it, but I agree that it is the least of the NM-era albums.

I still like a lot of these songs better than Kev does lol.

So this is the least them?

:lhk:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 21, 2015, 01:44:34 PM
Well, among the Morse era.

But not overall, no.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: The Letter M on September 21, 2015, 06:53:30 PM
Agreed with the sentiment that DFN is the least them of the NM-era albums. It's still GOOD (in most spots), but it doesn't have the coherent strength that the albums before or after it have.

"Skin" and "Can't Get It Wrong" are great songs for any average band, but for the high bar that SB set on their three previous albums with better short songs, they're just average. I mean, "Skin" sure is catchy enough, but it doesn't quite reach the level that "Strange World" or "Cakewalk" do on TKOS. And "Can't Get It Wrong" is pretty bland for SB, and I might agree, it could be one of their worst songs in their vast catalog!

Everything else ranges from really great to AMAZING. "The Gypsy" and "Crack The Big Sky" are pretty great mini-epics in my eyes, almost as great as "The Good Don't Last" or "Harm's Way"....ALMOST. I love all of CTBS and the middle section of "The Gypsy" is pretty sweet, and there's some tasty drumming over-all through both songs. They've been and still are two of my most enjoyed tracks on this album.

The other two shorter songs on this album are fairly good, and on par to me. "Gibberish" features some complex vocal harmonies and counterpoint, which I REALLY enjoy from Neal/SB, but still can't get into Gentle Giant for some reason. Maybe in a couple more years, I'll try them again now that I've really settled into the idea from Neal. It's a frantic track with some fun ideas and sounds, and it stands out from the rest because of it. The album's beautiful ballad comes in the form of "The Distance To The Sun", a touching song that Neal still plays at his concerts to this day! This is as touching as "We All Need Some Light", "Bridge Across Forever", "Shine" or any other acoustic-driven song that Neal has written, and it's one of his better ones IMO, and he seems to enjoy it enough to keep playing it!

The remainder of the album left includes the rocking opener, the title track "Day For Night", which is as good of an opener as any of them! It's a shame this one isn't played live much anymore, either by Neal or SB, as I think it's a really good one. The other track is the 6(or 7?) part epic track, "The Healing Colors Of Sound". I've always enjoyed this quirky epic, and while it doesn't sound like it makes much sense, I love the instrumentation and the experimentation with sounds and vocals. It's very different from "The Water", "Time Has Come" or "Flow" in regards to previous long-form songs from Neal and company. The live version on Don't Try This At Home is particularly performed well, although I've hoped that Neal would pull this one out for a future Morsefest so we can get real horns on the closing section of the epic!

Over-all, this is a mediocre Spock's Beard album, but that doesn't mean it isn't an album full of good music! Definitely my least favorite of the 6 albums with Neal, due to not being as consistently good as the surrounding albums, but it's got some great moments.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 23, 2015, 01:45:21 AM
I spent a big part of yesterday in my car, and listened to everything from The Light up until Day for Night. One thing that struck me when played back to back is that in terms of production quality and sounds, the band appears to make a giant leap between Kindness and Day for Night. It really sounds like the band recorded the first three albums on exactly the same equipment, making it sound almost like a trilogy, but they went nuts for Day for Night.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: KevShmev on September 23, 2015, 06:10:57 PM
Hmmm, I think the significant jump in the sound quality happened with the next album, which I'll get to very soon, but I do agree that Day for Night has a better sound sonically than its three predecessors.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 24, 2015, 01:54:06 AM
Yeah, I guess you're right that with V the band takes another leap. But we'll get to that later.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: KevShmev on September 24, 2015, 07:24:53 PM
Or now...

V

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/SpocksBeardValbumcover.jpg)

This was the first Spock's Beard album to come out after I became a fan in 2000, and this pretty much was an instant winner in my book.  It had that same sound of the first Transatlantic album, and the songwriting was terrific.  Looking back, the sound was a major upgrade over the first four studio albums.  Everything just sounded better, except for maybe Alan Morse's tone when playing chords.  That has often been a source of annoyance for me, and there are times on this album where his guitar tone makes me want to punch a wall.  Still, not even that can prevent this from being a terrific album, easily one of the band's best.

"At the End of the Day" is 16 minutes and 28 seconds of prog rock bliss.  The melodies are soaring, the playing is terrific, pretty much every vocal section is catchy as hell, and it has that "epic without being overdone" feel about it.  This is a top 5 SB song in my book, and if someone wanted to call it their best song, I would not put up an argument.

"Revelation" is one of those songs I've gone up and down about over the years, largely because I have sometimes found the chorus a little bland, but at this point in time, I am a big fan.  The chorus sounds very evil, quite a contrast dynamically to the verses.  "She's my partner in my crime against the clock," followed by those single keyboard notes, which always gives me the image of a grandfather clock ticking in my head, remains one of my favorite moments on this entire album.

"Thoughts (Part II)" was an immediate favorite of mine, although the shine of it wore off me a tad over time; I still like it a lot, regardless.  I am not always a fan of the Gentle Giant-esque multi-layered harmonies (they can sound too corny at times), but I think the ones in this song are very well done.  The instrumentation is phenomenal as well.

There isn't anything special or crazy about "All on a Sunday," other than it being just a fun song that is great to crank up and rock out to.

Spock's has a lot of mellow acoustic songs, and "Goodbye to Yesterday" is one of the best ones, IMO.  A very impassioned vocal performance by Neal makes this song even better than it would be in the hands of just about any other vocalist.  Neal isn't a technically gifted singer by any means, but he has one of the most pleasant and engaging singing voices I have ever heard, and this song is a fine example of it.

And then we get to the BIG epic, "The Great Nothing," written about Kevin Gilbert.  On just about every level, this song is nothing short of phenomenal, and I like it a ton, but it does seem to lack that little extra something that would have actually made it phenomenal.  If you ask me what that something is, I cannot tell you; I just know it is out there, or shall I say, not out there. :lol :lol  Regardless, this is still a very well written tune, with some bone-chilling melodies.  2000 was kind of when Neal came up with a specific formula he would use quite often for long epics, first on Transatlantic's "All of the Above" and then here on "The Great Nothing," and there is no denying what a great formula it is.

Overall, I love this record, but for some reason, it isn't one I listen to as much I should considering how highly I think of it.  I probably wouldn't call it my favorite of theirs at this point in time, but it was still a tremendous achievement in the world of progressive rock, and solidified their position as one of the best modern prog rock bands. :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Orbert on September 24, 2015, 09:22:50 PM
I had started with Day for Night and got this one next, and I thought it was great, even better than Day for Night, which I loved.  Amazing album, pretty much full-on prog, whereas Day for Night felt a bit like a band trying to be prog.  I wasn't familiar with the earlier stuff at the time, and didn't realize that Day for Night was something of a dip in both progginess and quality overall.  But as I said upthread, that only made it better and better for me as I checked out more Spock's Beard.

Still, Spock's Beard is a "new" band to me, and while I've played the albums cover to cover many times, it's always in the car, or background while I watch TV or play on the PC, or workout.  In none of those scenarios do I have the track names readily available, so to this day, while I can sing along with certain sections of songs, I still don't really know individual tracks.  The albums really are the opus unit.  But since I tend to listen to albums all the way through anyway, that's not really a bad thing, just different.

I like this one a lot.  V and The Light are probably my favorites.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 25, 2015, 01:01:35 AM
So this is it, this is officially my favorite Spock’s Beard album. And although they still release very high quality albums I don’t see them ever reaching up to this one.

I was introduced to Spock’s Beard by seeing them open for Dream Theater on the Scenes Tour and V was their then actual album. So it was the first one I got and was instantly hooked. Maybe this kind of nostalgia is part of the reason why this is my favorite.

You can clearly hear the difference in sound compared to the earlier albums, not that they sound bad, but V takes it up a whole notch. And you can hear a band that is firing on all cylinders. By this time Neal had definitely found and settled in his prog-songwriting-style and his prog-formula and had developed it even further without being too repetitive as he would be sometimes later. And although the majority of songs is written by Neal, I always think that this record sounds like a real band effort and I get the feeling that the rest of the guys had a large part in arranging the song.

And unlike Kev I don’t mind Alan’s guitar sound. I believe that the parts that sound a little bit strange are done on purpose. In fact I like Alan’s playing a lot, he’s not the most technically gifted but he’s not your normal (not to say generic) guitar player that can play almost everything but lacks identity. Alan always sounds unique and often he adds those quirky bits that give the songs a little bit of extra spice.

If asked about my favorite SB song my answer would be At The End Of The Day, in fact I think that this is one of the best songs ever. It has everything, from the intro with the horns to the different parts, the catchy chorus, the instrumental sections, everything fits and flows together nicely and you don’t realize that this song is more than 16 minutes long.

Revelation is a completely different piece. A moody rocker with mellow verses and a heavy chorus. Nothing groundbreaking but a really great piece of music.

Thoughts (Part II) is the best of the Thoughts-songs or the songs with multiple harmony parts. Not even five minutes long, there is so much going on, this is pure prog essence. I especially like the main instrumental theme, with the bass and guitar and the counterpoint keyboards and piano. And it has a bass solo with Dave going wild and a string section (also going wild).

All On A Sunday sometimes gets a lot of flak because it’s just a simple pop song but I like it nonetheless. It’s well crafted with that little nice keyboard intro and a good sing-along chorus.

Goodbye To Yesterday is the breather before the big finale. A nice little acoustic tune. I like it but it pales in comparison to the rest of the record.

And then the epic to end all epics: The Great Nothing. 27 minutes of pure epicness, their longest song and one of their greatest. Probably my second favorite Beard song. The beginning with the eerie keyboards, then the acoustic guitar introducing the instrumental theme which then is picked up by the whole band and a cello, and then when everything quiets down and Neal starts to sing “One note timeless came out of nowhere”, this section always sends shivers down my spine and probably could make me cry when I’m in the mood. Music hardly can’t get any better than this.

And part IV of The Great Nothing is called Submerged and Submerged is also the fourth song on Brief Nocturnes … nuggetzzzzz  :metal

And I always have to laugh about the “of all the pains in asses” line. Really Neal?  :laugh:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Mladen on September 25, 2015, 04:23:45 AM
  This is a top 5 SB song in my book, and if someone wanted to call it their best song, I would not put up an argument.
Well said.  :tup

Revelations, All on a Sunday and Thoughts part 2 are all among their best short songs, they're all insanely catchy. The epic closer really drags this album down for me, I've never really got into The Great nothing. It's lacking in every single way, to find anything about it that I really like would be impossible and I've honestly been struggling with it over the past seven years of being a fan. It truly is the great nothing.

But overall, it would still be my 4th favorite Spock's Beard album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Zydar on September 25, 2015, 04:29:23 AM
I will keep it short. This is my favourite SB album, and At The End Of The Day is their best song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: KevShmev on September 25, 2015, 05:59:38 AM

And unlike Kev I don’t mind Alan’s guitar sound. I believe that the parts that sound a little bit strange are done on purpose. In fact I like Alan’s playing a lot, he’s not the most technically gifted but he’s not your normal (not to say generic) guitar player that can play almost everything but lacks identity. Alan always sounds unique and often he adds those quirky bits that give the songs a little bit of extra spice.
 

I mostly agree. He just went through a little spell where his tone went to dog shit at times when playing chords (this album and the next, which is ironic, they being two of their best).  A good example are those chords just before the 11-minuted in At the End of the Day that lead into the organ solo.  That tone makes my ears bleed. I don't mind a good dirty tone, but that is a bad dirty tone.


And I always have to laugh about the “of all the pains in asses” line. Really Neal?  :laugh:

LOL, I forgot to mention that line.



And part IV of The Great Nothing is called Submerged and Submerged is also the fourth song on Brief Nocturnes … nuggetzzzzz  :metal
 

For my money, Submerged and Missed Your Calling are the best parts of the song.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: RoeDent on September 25, 2015, 07:10:36 AM
V may well be my next Spock's Beard purchase.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 25, 2015, 07:25:41 AM
Depending on the day, this is either my favorite or second-favorite SB album (behind The Light).

It's one of the few SB albums where I like every single song. 

At the End of the Day is glorious, and The Great Nothing is just incredible, a fantastic composition.

IMHO, a modern prog masterpiece.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Big Hath on September 25, 2015, 08:06:39 AM
V is awesome.  Evolution (The Grand Design), Fallen, Egypt, Absence of Light are all great!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 25, 2015, 08:51:22 AM
Wrong thread, Get Out While You Can  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Big Hath on September 25, 2015, 08:57:47 AM
I was confused by the album cover
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Orbert on September 25, 2015, 09:31:31 AM
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/SpocksBeardValbumcover.jpg)

I think sometimes album cover art can say something about the music, or about the band, but sometimes it's just cover art.  Cool imagery to supplement the music but not necessarily having anything to do with it.

I see a guy walking through the desert.  I've never been to a desert, but it seems it's generally miles and miles of sand, with little or nothing to tell you which way to go.  So there's a sign pointing the way.  Just to make things more interesting, the guy is in a business suit and carrying a briefcase, so if he's on the way to a meeting, he's really fucking lost.  Or it's just a bit of surrealism.  I don't know if it's significant, but the arrow is not the kind which normally indicates a "turn" (such as at an intersection or junction) but instead is the kind which indicates a curve in the road.  He's on the right path, but at this point, a course correction needs to be made.  And then again, just for fun, lightning is striking the sign.  Or perhaps the sign is being "created" by something unseen, indicated by the lightning strike.  An unseen force guiding the guy through the desert?

It never confused me, I guess, because I didn't dig too deeply into it.  Sometimes cover art is just something to look at.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Mladen on September 25, 2015, 09:43:51 AM
I was confused by the album cover
:clap:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Big Hath on September 25, 2015, 09:45:53 AM
I was making a joke.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cf/SymphonyXV.jpg)

From my top 50 list:

Quote
By the way, what is up with the similarities between this album and that of Spock's Beard's V.  Both were released in the second half of 2000.  Both covers are remarkably similar (desert scene, blood red sky).  Both bands are progressive in nature and were both signed to Inside Out at the time, which makes it even doubly weird - you would think the label would have wanted to avoid people possibly confusing the albums.  Both albums are the fifth by each band and the total lengths of the albums differ by a mere 11 seconds.  Strange Kennedy/Lincoln thing going on here.





(https://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/012/132/thatsthejoke.jpg)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Dr. DTVT on September 25, 2015, 10:12:54 AM
This is my favorite SB album.  It's the best them.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Mladen on September 25, 2015, 10:44:32 AM
I was making a joke.
I think everybody got it. Those similarities are rather famous.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Big Hath on September 25, 2015, 10:56:13 AM
I was making a joke.
I think everybody got it. Those similarities are rather famous.

Orbert seemed to take my post literally, that's all.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 25, 2015, 11:32:10 AM
He may not be familiar with Symphony X.

I'm certainly not either, although I knew about this album title and the artwork similarities.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: The Letter M on September 25, 2015, 12:00:02 PM
Looking back at my Amazon orders when I was getting into prog between 2004-2005, I  noticed I bought SB's V and TFK's Space Revolver in the same order on September 3rd, ten years ago. Both were each band's fifth albums and highly regarded as some of their best work at the time (and still today!), so I figured I'd start there after getting into DT and Transatlantic. Roine's vocals and guitar playing prompted me to check out The Flower Kings, and in turn, Neal's vocals and keyboard playing prompted me to check out Spock's Beard, so V was my first excursion into Neal's (former) home band.

"At The End Of The Day" is one of the best album openers I've ever heard, and a Top 10 SB tune in my book. Lots of great melodies and very catchy hooks and choruses, a fun song to sing a long to, even if it's over 16 minutes long! This was an amazing way to open the album, and definitely set the bar high for SB and Neal!

The four short songs in the middle are pretty good, quite a few steps higher than the short songs on the previous album, and on par, if not better than the short songs on TKOS. "Revelation" has a good, brash sound to it that I think works with Neal's vocals, while "All On A Sunday" features his softer, pop-like voice. "Thoughts (Part II)" is this album's foray into Gentle Giant, which I like just as much as any of the other Thoughts-songs, while "Goodbye To Yesterday" is this album's acoustic ballad, and it's a shame this has never been played more often by SB or Neal. It's quite a beautiful piece.

"The Great Nothing" was, at the time, "the epic to end all epics" as Neal said on their live album There & Here, taken from the V Tour. Sure, he's said that about many epics before - to my knowledge, he's said that about "Stranger In Your Soul" on TA's Live In Europe, and I think he's said that about "So Many Roads" on the live album So Many Roads (but I'm not sure, I haven't spun that one lately), but I think this is where he's said that first, and I'd like to agree. Of all the dozens of 20+ minute songs Neal's written or been a part of, this is one of the best. Watching the making of V DVD really puts this song into perspective, especially where Neal is crying in his singing of a line near the end of the song, it's very touching. They really packed everything they could into this massive epic and they pull it off with such virtuoso grace that if I ever had to play ONE epic by SB to show someone what a SB epic was like, this might be it!

Over all, this is one of the most consistent SB albums of the Neal-era, and I think most fans tend to agree there, and definitely rivals BOD for my 2nd favorite Neal-era album. My favorite, of course for those who know me around here, will be the one coming up...

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Orbert on September 25, 2015, 12:14:00 PM
I'm not a big Symphony X fan, but I've seen the similarities between the two album covers mentioned online more than once.  And the fact that both albums are titled V almost makes you think it had to be intentional, or a conspiracy, or something.

I just didn't realize that that was the basis of being "confused" by the cover.  So what the hell, I offered up a quick analysis.


tl;dr version: I didn't get the joke.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 26, 2015, 04:36:12 AM
Great, great album. After listening to these first 5 records it gets nearly impossible to rank them. Add in Snow and it gets really difficult.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2015, 06:28:25 AM
It really is.  I mean, I know Day for Night is the least best of the bunch, but if I listen to any of the other five, it's hard to imagine any of the others being better right then and there; that's how good they all are.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 26, 2015, 06:56:08 AM
It really is.  I mean, I know Day for Night is the least best of the bunch, but if I listen to any of the other five, it's hard to imagine any of the others being better right then and there; that's how good they all are.
I agree with a slight change - For me, V and The Light are clearly a breed apart.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Nihil-Morari on September 27, 2015, 12:52:55 AM
It really is.  I mean, I know Day for Night is the least best of the bunch, but if I listen to any of the other five, it's hard to imagine any of the others being better right then and there; that's how good they all are.
I agree with a slight change - For me, V and The Light are clearly a breed apart.

I guess those two are my top 2 too. But then I listen to The Water and The Light drops away. Yesterday I was blasting The Healing Colors of Sound, and I couldn't help but thinking 'this is one of the best songs ever', so Day For Night comes into view. And that happens with Flow, Time Has Come, Harms Way, any song really.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: jingle.boy on September 27, 2015, 05:01:50 AM
At The End of the Day is the best them (in my books).  Solid album, top to bottom.  Not much else to say that hasn't already been said.  Gotta pay more attention to The Great Nothing I guess... It never really stood out as the 'epic to end all epics'.  Sure I always thought it was great, but never put it in the league of Duel, Stranger, 8vm, 2112, Harvest of Souls, Supper's Ready, or any other 20+ minute songs.  Guess I need to have a better listen.

Thoughts II is the best Thoughts track as well, and I'm a big fan of All On A Sunday.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: Onno on September 27, 2015, 08:47:58 AM
So I had a few listens this week to the first five albums (apart from Day for Night, that is). I gotta say, they're all good. I never was a huge SB fan but I like their music, and these albums were all pretty good. I'll listen to them more often.

My biggest problem with the band might just be the vocals though. The only SB album I own on CD is Snow, and Neal is quite decent on there, although I'm not a big fan of his vocals. His vocals on TKOS are also okay, but not spectacular. I'm not really impressed by his vocals on the other records (may change after more listens though). I really like NDV's vocals and I don't like Ted Leonard's vocals, but I guess we'll come to those once this thread reaches their respective eras.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: jingle.boy on September 27, 2015, 09:05:27 AM
For me, it's a tie between Neal/Ted, both more preferable to Nick.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: ytserush on September 27, 2015, 08:42:24 PM
The Light

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/57/SpocksBeardTheLight.jpg)

We kick it off with Spock's Beard debut album from 1995.  I am a bit envious of those who were around and listening to them from the start; I can only imagine what my reaction would have been if this had been my first Beard record, instead of the fourth I heard in the latter part of 2000.  When the Beard began, they were a four-piece band: Neal Morse on lead vocals and keyboards, Alan Morse on guitars, David Meros on bass, and Nick D'Virgilio on drums and background vocals; Ryo Okumoto, I believe, was added as a second keyboarist when they toured on this record, and was an official member by the time the second album rolled around. 

But, back to the first, it's not often that you can say, "This band's first song on their first album is their best," about any band, but in the case of Spock's Beard, it might be true.  If "The Light" isn't their best song, it is certainly in the conversation.  It has everything that defined the Beard in the early days: great melodies, nice harmonies, gorgeous mellow parts, some great rocking moments, a bit of quirkiness, a great thematic sense, and plenty of drama.  The fact that Neal Morse has played this song quite a bit live over the years as a solo artists speaks volumes as to how much he knows fans love this song.  It's a major winner in every regard.

"Go the Way You Go" has long been a song that many diehard fans love to pieces, as well, although, for me, it has always been a song I liked a lot, rather than loved.  Every time I hear it, I enjoy the hell out of it, but it's never been a song that I go out of my way to hear, like so many of their longer pieces.

Speaking of which, "The Water," at a little over 23 minutes," remains their 2nd longest song to date.  It also contains the most bizarre part of any song they've ever done, the FU section, which still sounds just odd to me at times (hearing Neal Morse scream FU over and over is just so strange :lol :lol), but the song overall is pretty freaking awesome.  Some of the best music they've ever written and played is in this song.  It's hard to nail one down single section as being the best, although "A Thief in the Night" would be my gut reaction first pick right now, since every section really is so strong.

"On the Edge" is the unenviable position of being not only the last song on the record, but the only (relatively) short one, giving it a bit of a tacked-on feel, which is a shame because it is a good song, but after those three long songs, getting a breather with a short rocker is not a bad thing, but I am just not sure it should have ended the record.  I think swapping this and "The Water" in the running order would have made for a better flow.  Regardless, this is a fine ending to a most excellent debut.

May be my favortie Spock's Beard album ever.  Neil Elliott, the guy who started the Dream Theater fan club sent me a cassette of this when it first came out and I was just blown away by it and had to get the CD (Which I ordered from the Symphonic label -- SYMD14 no barcode)

My first impression was punk meets Jethro Tull. Amazing! They were instantly one of my new favorite bands. Tried to get my friends into them, but they were having none of it. Just like my attempts to get my friends into Dream Theater five years earlier. At least they remember who they are now.) 

I still prefer this original release because the remaster warms the sound of the album a bit (which normally I would like, but the harshness adds to music in this case. (Kind of like the Mobile Fidelity version of Nirvana's Nevermind...yeah it sounds great, warm and rounded, but again...Nevermind is not that kind of album. It needs that harsh edge.)

I couldn't believe someone made an album like this in the mid-90s. It had everything. Great lyrics, melody, musicianship. No, it wasn't a sonic masterpiece, but that was really it's only fault.

It never really got better than this for me although it has certainly been equaled.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Gravy spilled on God's Sunday shirt
Post by: ytserush on September 27, 2015, 08:58:46 PM
Beware of Darkness

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/SpocksBeard_BewareOfDarkness.jpg)

This was the first Spock's album I ever heard, and while I remember liking it at first, I have zero recollection as to what songs or even what moments grabbed me at first; I just remember liking it.  Being that this was 2000, shortly after I got into Transatlantic and SMPTe, I thought Spock's was a little rougher around the edges than TA, but the sound and style was obviously similar enough to where I knew this was a band I would become a fan of pretty easily.  And the four-some was now a five-some, as Ryo Okumoto was an official member of the band as a second keyboardist, focusing mainly on mellotron and hammond organ, while Neal handled the synths and piano.

The album kicks off with the title track, a cover of a George Harrison song from the early 70s. I had no idea it was a cover the first time I heard it (I didn't hear the Harrison original until years later), so judging it on its own, without any type of comparison to the original, I always thought it was a good song.  Nice beginning to the record.

"Thoughts" began the Thoughts series of songs (which has seen parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 so far; where is 4?? :Lol).   This is by far the best of the four done thus far.  I am not always wild about the songs that center around those multi-part harmonies that are reminiscent of Gentle Giant, a band the Beard was clearly influenced by early on, but I am very wild about this song.  It's so quirky and so odd, yet so insanely catchy.  I love the creepy musical bits in the song. 

I talked the other day about songs that are in the discussion for best Beard song ever.  Track 3, "The Doorway," is in that discussion.  This is a perfectly written mini-epic tune, featuring a gorgeous piano intro (that always strikes me as Neal Morse's attempt to do a "Firth of Fifth"-type intro), soaring vocal harmonies, a rad as hell acoustic section in the middle, and two epic endings (!!), the first being the fake-out before the real ending.  This song is just freaking killer.

"Chatauqua" is a short, nice, little acoustic guitar number, played, I believe, by Neal Morse.  Someone correct me if I am wrong.  It's a nice bridge between the two mini-epics.

The next mini-epic, "Walking on the Wind," features one of the more bad ass bass lines David Meros has ever laid down.  There is so much going on in this song that is wonderful, but I often find myself getting lost in the bass line when listening to this. Chris Squire was clearly a big influence on Meros, and nowhere is that more evident that in this song.  This is also one of the Beard's best overall tunes.

"Waste Away" is catchy as hell, and the hook appears to be in the keyboard main melody, not the vocals, not always an easy thing to pull off.  I think this song sometimes gets overlooked, which is a shame because it shows Neal Morse's ability to write insanely catchy melodies.  For as complicated and "out there" as prog can get, you still need good melodies, and this song shows that Neal could sing the phone book and it would sound awesome. :lol :lol

The final track, the 16-minute plus "Time Has Come," is a bit of a strange track, almost maniacal at times, but I find is strangely appealing.  It has some of the best melodies on this record, not to mention some goofy lyrics, but the vocal effect Neal uses on his voice for much of this song gives it a somewhat twisted feel, which I like a lot.  There is no other Beard song that sounds like this one, and Nick D'Virgilio's often-underrated drumming really shines through on this song.  His sense of timing and restraint and knowing when to let loose is really on display here.

Like The Light, I put Beware of Darkness in their top tier of records, and some days it is my number 1 album of theirs.  A phenomenal sophomore effort. :hat

Another great album. Maybe a bit more polished, but not as consistent. There are killer songs on this. Beware of Darkness, Thoughts, The Doorway, Walking On The Wind, Waste Away.... I guess I just named most of the album.  Love this one too.

Ordered this one directly from Neal. He even answered the phone when I called (although he sounded distracted by something...probably interrupted him in the middle of a song or something.)

As usual, these songs are so much better live (Official Bootleg and From The Vault (partially) are pretty amazing live documents from that period. Alan Morse really shines on these, but it pales in comparison when you're standing in front of the guy.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: ytserush on September 27, 2015, 09:02:49 PM
Kev - are you skipping live albums and just doing studio albums? I was wondering where The Beard Is Out There was!

Yes. I'm not bothering with live albums this time around.  To me, featuring live albums or best of albums drags discography threads down.

Could not disagree more about live albums as I believe they are totally germane to the band. You can also learn a lot from live albums, but it's your show.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: ytserush on September 27, 2015, 09:04:33 PM
Got out of work last night, continued listening through the first album as I drove to choir practice.  I'm reminded that Neal's spiritual lyrics were present even on the first album.  Get lost in the tunes for a little bit.  As I'm pulling into the church parking lot, "FUCK YOU!!" starts blasting out my speakers.  It was a somewhat odd and surreal moment.  Good thing the windows were up.

One of his many pure genius moments for sure, but yeah, I reach for that knob when I'm blasting out in the car.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A Land Where Crap Is King
Post by: ytserush on September 27, 2015, 09:18:13 PM
The Kindness of Strangers

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/SpocksBeardKindnessOfStrangers.jpg)

1998 saw the Beard release their 3rd studio album, The Kindness of Strangers.  I love this record, but for some reason, I never seem to rank it with the best of their best, even though I love it. I think the sound of it bothers me at times - some of the more rocking parts sound a bit muddy and noisy - or maybe I am just being a knucklehead. :lol :lol

This album was pretty much more of the same, kicking off with "The Good Don't Last," which manages to be really catchy and really proggy at the same time.  I like how the main melody is reprised on various-sounding keyboards, adding a fun and almost silly element to the song. Alan Morse's solo at the end is terrific.

"In the Mouth of Madness" has sort of fallen into that "I never listen to it on its own" category for me, but it's another fun as heck song.  This album features a lot of great mellotron moments, and it being backdrop to the chorus was a great decision.  "Cakewalk on Easy Street" is another fun rocker, although not as silly as its predecessor.

"June" is probably one of their most loved songs, and for good reason: it is insanely catchy.  It's one of those songs you could see someone playing at an acoustic at a fireside hangout on a cool autumn night. Ya know, if the Beard were popular enough to where more people knew the song. :lol  That aside, it's a great song, and shows the ability of Neal Morse to write something insanely catchy.

"Strange World" is another fun, short rocker.  In fact, three of the seven songs here fall under that description.  And they all manage to have some cool dynamic shifts, instead of rocking all the way through, including this one.  The cool little breakdown before the last chorus, where the music stops and we hear nothing but samples, is very Beatles-esque.

And then, we get to "Harm's Way," which is a borderline top 10 Beard tune, in my book. There is nothing about this song that isn't great.  And amazingly, it's not even the best song on this record. That would be...

"Flow," which is a top 5 Beard song.  I'm admittedly not always a big fan of Alan Morse, but he slays in this song.  The solo at the end is arguably his best, and his leads in the first section are absolutely stellar.  The entire band is on fire in this song, and this is one of the finest songs Neal Morse has ever crafted.   :coolio :hat

So yeah, this is another winner by the Beard, and I freaking love it. :tup :tup

First time I ever pre-ordered an album in my life.
I order the thing from Neal again and he sends me the album (RA01) a few weeks before the release date.

Have to admit being a bit disappointed in the way that I was disappointed in Clutching at Straws when it first came out.  Sounded like Spock's Beard lite at first, but after spending time with it I fell in love with those slow burn solos. Can Alan play guitar or what? Very strong lyrically, but much of the edge was missing in comparison to the first two. It took a few weeks to grow on me, but boy did it ever.

I'd have to check the ticket stubs, but I either saw them for the first time ever on this tour or the next one. Can't believe I can't remember this.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: KevShmev on September 28, 2015, 06:34:58 PM
The next update is coming soon... :)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 29, 2015, 08:59:52 AM
The next update is coming soon... :)
What will it be?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. A case of Mellow Yellow
Post by: ytserush on September 29, 2015, 03:35:36 PM
Day for Night

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/SpocksBeardDayForNight.jpg)

1999 saw the release of the band's 4th studio album, Day for Night.  Reviews have always been pretty mixed on this, and I am usually on the side of those who call it one of the band's weaker efforts - it's definitely the least best of the Neal era and their 2nd or 3rd least best overall - but I still like it a lot.

The title track, which kicks off the album, gets us off to a great start, with that fantastic intro and a song featuring some really catchy vocal melodies.  This is a song that is very hard to not sing along to.

Unfortunately, things take a mediocre turn pretty quickly with the next two songs.  "Gibberish" is just that: pure gibberish.  Pretty crappy song, featuring a multi-part harmony that is mostly really annoying, and the music sounds pretty rehashed and boring (it borrows from one of their own songs, "In the Mouth of Madness").  This is in my bottom 3 Spock's Beard songs.  "Skin" isn't awful so much that it is really bland. It's like it tried to be catchy in there, but missed the mark. The band sounds bored out of their minds in this song.

Things get back on track a little bit with "Distance to the Sun," a nice little acoustic number, featuring some great harmonies between Neal and NDV.  This isn't one of their better slower tunes, but it's a nice, enjoyable one.

"Crack the Big Sky" is next, and this song is where the album gets great.  This is a longtime favorite of mine.  Very proggy song, with an intro that ends with a section that always make you want to clap along.  Very nice dynamics throughout in this song, with some wonderful mellow moments and some great rocking sections.  Great use of the saxophone in the second half of this song.  Fantastic tune.

"The Gypsy" was my instant favorite from this record originally, and while I am not sure I would now give it the edge over the previous track on the album, I still love it.  This song is their Beard rocking their balls off!  :metal  David Meros' bass work in this one is off the charts, Neal gives us another catchy as hell vocal melody to sing along to, and Okumoto's work on the mellotron is absolutely perfect.

The next one was one co-written with Alan Morse and NDV, which you would have thought would have given us something new and cool, but instead it gave us a piece of crap, syrupy tune like "Can't Get It Wrong," which is comfortably the worst song the band has ever released on a studio album.  It's just awful.

The album ends with the 7-part suite known as "The Healing Colors of Sound."  Overall, it's a really good piece of music, although I think it could have been condensed a little bit.  Had the suite ended with Part 2 of the "The Healing Colors," I think it would have came off better, instead of having what seems like the unnecessary "My Shoes (Revisited)" reprise, following that ear-grinding static noise in "Urban Noise."  That aside, this songs shows off the quirky nature of the band, especially in "Mommy Comes Back," which is infectiously fabulous.  And "Lay It Down" is a good example of a killer vibe, and a great lead-up to the vocal reprise of the "Healing Colors" theme, which was all instrumental in Part 1.  Individually, "Lay It Down" is one of my favorite songs on this entire record.  The suite as a whole is really good, but I can't call it great.  I think this is where Neal started to get a little too reprise-happy at times when writing long songs/suites.

Overall, this is a good album. It has some clunkers, a couple of great tunes, and then a few songs that are really good.  It's not even close to being one of their best, but it's still one worth having if you are a fan.  :coolio

I guess this one is my least favorite which seems to consensus (who knew?)  Again I have to thank Neil for sending this to me about a week or so early.  Radiant was up and running by then but he was likely doing everything himself at this point.  I didn't really light the move toward the light and fluffy style of this album  but as usual there are some KILLER music on this The Distance To The Sun, Crack The Sky, Gypsy Can't Get It Wrong, (here I go naming the whole album again! Skin isn't bad either!)

And The Healing Colors of Sound suite is one of the best songs they've ever written.   If you've been fortunate to enough to catch them do this live, you just know. I wouldn't even know how to explain it. (I think I finally figured this out. I did see them for The Kindness of Strangers because I saw them at the first NEARfest in 1999 (along with Transatlantic) for Day For Night.

Of course the live albums (Live and The Whisky and NEARfest, Nick and Neil, Live in Europe and Don't Try This At Home) are even better. There are few bands that are as genuine and have as much fun as this band does live during this period. Go The Way You Go is one of my favorites on The Light, but it reaches another dimension live. Al, as usual, just kills it.   I'm forgetting a few VHS/DVDs here two aren't I.....
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on September 29, 2015, 03:52:33 PM
Snow

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/75/Spocks_Beard_Snow.jpg)

The summer of 2002 saw the release of the 6th Spock's Beard; it was also the final album they did with Neal Morse (as a full-time member), who left the band shortly after the release of the album. I always sort of noticed Neal's spiritual lyrics on the first five Spock's albums, as well as the first two Transatlantic albums, but I never really thought he was a guy who was gonna convert and leave the band over it, although I admittedly never thought about it.  I remember it was not long after the release of Snow that rumors starting circulating that Neal was either gonna leave the band or had already left the band, and when several online presences close to the band would neither confirm not disconfirm the rumors, you just kind of knew that their silence spoke volumes.  When Neal released his statement announcing his departure, and the reasons why, it wasn't totally unexpected, but it was still like a punch to the gut.  One of our favorite bands had just released a phenomenal record, epic in just about every way, and here there main songwriter and the man many thought was THE heart and soul of the band was suddenly not a part of it. I am not saying it took the wind out my sails regarding my enjoyment of the album, but it certainly changed the way I interpreted certain lyrics (some of which can relate to the story as well as Neal's personal journey).

It is hard to go in depth with each song with this record like I did with the others, since there are a total of 26 songs across the two CDs, but I will start by saying this format is pretty similar to Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, in that Disc 1 is nearly flawless from start to finish, while Disc 2 is pretty great, too, even if there are times you think some trimming could have been done.  I mean, there isn't any single song on this album I do not like, but songs like "Welcome to NYC," "Looking for Answers" (which sounds completely out of place, especially since it is nearly the only song that is isolated on its own to where it doesn't fade it or out to anything else), "Devil's Got My Throat Revisted" (pretty unnecessary, although that long rising keyboard note is freaking awesome) and "Ladies And Gentlemen, Mister Ryo Okumoto on the Keyboards" (not sure what the purpose of this was, other than to have a live-like tune on the album), all could have been taken off and the album would have been just as great.

One thing in particular I really like about this album is the heavy focus on piano and acoustic guitars. Neal is just such a great writer of simple, yet very catchy, melodies, and while he can prog it up, and does here at times, there are a lot of simple melodies on the piano and acoustic guitar that are just lovely to listen to and add to the overall cohesiveness. I especially like some of the "end of song" transition bits, like how could the acoustic guitar at the end of "Long Time Suffering" leads into the next track, or the piano at the end of "4th Of July" leads into "I'm the Guy." Very clever and effective writing there.

For my money, the Disc 1 standout tracks here are "Long Time Suffering" and then everything on Disc 1 from "Love Beyond Words" to "Wind at My Back.' Nothing but pure greatness mostly the whole way on Disc 1. Favorites on Disc 2 include "I'm the Guy" (love that bass line), "Reflection" (short, yet great), "All is Vanity" (love how the moog solo is the same melody as the 'Love Beyond Words" piano solo), "I'm Dying," " I Will Go" and "Made Alive Again/Wind at My Back Reprise." I have to admit I wasn't a fan of that tacked on thing following the last track (just makes what feels like a disc that is a tad too long feel even longer, and the normal ending was so perfect), but that was easily lopped off my mp3 of it and I haven't listened to that bit in years. :lol

Many other favorite little moments include:

-that little jazzy breakdown in "Open Wide the Flood Gates" with the guitar solo and the piano and drums complimenting it perfectly.
-pretty much every melody in "Wind at My Back."
-The "Thought I was the bigger man..." vocal section of "All Is Vanity. That vocal sections gives me the chills every time.
-The Kansas-inspired instrumental section in "Devil's Got My Throat."
-Neal's call-out and thank you to the fans and the band at the end of the album (no way you can convince me that, knowing he was leaving the album, he didn't do that to thank the fans and the band).
-The way the final vocal in "Love Beyond Words" segue ways perfectly into the power chord that opens up "39th Street Blues."
-The climax in "Solitary Soul." EPIC.
-"I had a mustard today..." what would a SB album be without an absurdly, silly Neal Morse lyric. :lol :lol

Overall, this probably is the band's best studio album to date. Even with feeling a bit padded, it is still a beast of a record, and a recent start to finish listen of it reminded me of just how freaking much I love it, even if it did take me several days to get through it on drives to and from places. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Orbert on September 29, 2015, 04:39:39 PM
Comparisons with Genesis' The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway are unavoidable, of course.  Both were double albums (although The Lamb was a double LP whilst Snow is a double CD), both are concept albums telling the story of person, the main protagonist, and many fans of both bands and albums seem to agree that the first disc (or disk) is stronger than the second, although the second isn't bad.

The most interesting thing they have in common, I think, is the one that gets mentioned least.  Peter Gabriel left Genesis shortly after the release of The Lamb, and most fans thought it was the end of the band.  When Neal announced his departure from Spock's Beard shortly after the release of Snow, most fans thought it was the end of the band.

The difference is that within Genesis, Peter was the lead vocalist, but nearly all the music was written by the rest of the band, a lot of the lyrics and sometimes entire songs were written by others, and Phil Collins had already sung lead on a few tracks.  When Peter Gabriel left, yes the band changed, but they continued and even thrived.

Neal was much more the driving force behind Spock's Beard up to this point, and his leaving was a much larger event.  He'd written nearly everything, words and music, and was also lead vocalist (I've never really worked out how much, though).  Spock's Beard definitely took a hit when Neal left; there's no two ways about it.

As for the album itself, I love it, but as with other great concept albums, I tend to only listen to it when I have the time and inclination to play the whole thing.  This is rare, more rarely than I would like, but it does have the side effect of keeping the album fresh every time.  I played it through three or four times when I first got it (release date), and have probably played it three or four times since.  I just don't have that kind of listening time these days.  But I love it every time.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 29, 2015, 05:20:22 PM
I know some people hold this album up as the band's greatest work, but I suspect that part of that comes from the fact that it was Neal's swan song, and the fact that it is a double album - we all know how many prog fans feel that bigger is better, and a double concept album is the great white whale.

I don't feel that way.  There is certainly some fantastic music here, but there is also (IMO) quite a bit of filler.  All in all, if this were whittled down to one disc, it might be SB's finest album of musical composition.  As it stands - it is still pretty good, but not at the top.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on September 29, 2015, 08:22:22 PM
Good points about the difference between PG's and Neal's role in their respective bands, Orbert. :tup :tup

hef, I get why some think it is padded - heck, I said that - but I always hate the word filler.  I think, in this case, Neal just got a bit too reprise-happy near the end.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: The Letter M on September 29, 2015, 10:40:52 PM
"I will go..."

Neal didn't know it at the time, but this very poignant and touching, even if he didn't know it meant that he would be leaving the band the time he wrote that piece.

I just watched the Making Of Snow the other night, and it's one of my favorite of Neal's Behind-The-Scenes DVDs. His interviews are so heartfelt and emotional, and seeing the footage of him with the Beard in the studio working out songs was amazing. It's also great to see how the songs evolved from his initial writings, to loose demos at home, to in the studio. And while they didn't cover EVERY song or section of the album, they covered a great deal of it, and it was cool to see them all work out the details.

This album is definitely a Desert Island Disc for me, one of my top 10 albums of all time, and if you guys remember my old Top 50 Most Played Albums on my iPod thread, this was number one. I never EVER get bored of this album, and the combination of prog and pop, acoustic guitars and pianos, ballads and proggy rock sections, everything just FIT together so well. This was definitely the culmination of five albums of SB evolution.

I'm not sure there's much I can say about the songs, because as Kev said, the album itself is such a cohesive, singular piece of music that it's hard to really say one thing or another about each song because the strength of the songs is their relationship to everything else. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of the parts, and while there are plenty of double albums in my library, and plenty of concept albums, few are both, and this is one that I cannot listen to without stopping. It's impossible! If I can listen to the whole thing, I will.

I also remember listening to this album after going through a rough relationship break-up in 2005, and it really helped me pull through it and get it together. It was my go-to feel-good album, full of uplifting music and emotionally moving moments. I don't think an album has ever had that much emotional power for me since, but many have come close. For that, it'll be a favorite of mine for the rest of my days, and my favorite SB album (so far! Others have come close though...).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 30, 2015, 01:12:48 AM
I'll keep it short because I don't want to disturb the probably almost universal praise this will get: I think it's fairly mediocre with some good tunes here and there. My least favorite Neal record and my 2nd least favorite SB record overall. Coming after "V", I was so excited when I heard it was a concept album and a double album and maybe my expectations were just too high, but when it came out it was a huge letdown. I've really tried to like it and make it click but it just don't happen. End of story.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Mladen on September 30, 2015, 05:50:04 AM
Such a huge album, so many things going on... How to keep it short?

Lets try it. This is my 5th favorite SB album and one of the best concept albums of all time. The first disc is flawless pretty much up to Solitary soul (I've always thought the last two songs on disc one are slightly overrated), the second disc has a bit of filler but it's still quite awesome. Some of my favorite songs include Long time suffering, Love beyond words, Devil's got my throat, Open wide the flood gates, 4th of July, I'm dying, and quite a few more.

If I had to pick my favorite theme that runs through the album, it's the one after the very first verse in Made alive, the one that ends Stranger in a strange land. I also noticed it at the end of Open wide the flood gates and in the middle of I'm dying, it's truly one of the most beautiful, touching melodies I've ever heard. The Live at Sea DVD by SB features Neal Morse appearing on stage for a few tunes, and when someone from the audience yelled out "SNOW", Neal immediately played that very theme. That maybe shows it might be the central theme of the album. What do you guys think?

And yeah, the mustard line.  :heart
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The fat cats just kept getting fatter
Post by: ytserush on October 01, 2015, 04:29:42 PM
Or now...

V

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/39/SpocksBeardValbumcover.jpg)

This was the first Spock's Beard album to come out after I became a fan in 2000, and this pretty much was an instant winner in my book.  It had that same sound of the first Transatlantic album, and the songwriting was terrific.  Looking back, the sound was a major upgrade over the first four studio albums.  Everything just sounded better, except for maybe Alan Morse's tone when playing chords.  That has often been a source of annoyance for me, and there are times on this album where his guitar tone makes me want to punch a wall.  Still, not even that can prevent this from being a terrific album, easily one of the band's best.

"At the End of the Day" is 16 minutes and 28 seconds of prog rock bliss.  The melodies are soaring, the playing is terrific, pretty much every vocal section is catchy as hell, and it has that "epic without being overdone" feel about it.  This is a top 5 SB song in my book, and if someone wanted to call it their best song, I would not put up an argument.

"Revelation" is one of those songs I've gone up and down about over the years, largely because I have sometimes found the chorus a little bland, but at this point in time, I am a big fan.  The chorus sounds very evil, quite a contrast dynamically to the verses.  "She's my partner in my crime against the clock," followed by those single keyboard notes, which always gives me the image of a grandfather clock ticking in my head, remains one of my favorite moments on this entire album.

"Thoughts (Part II)" was an immediate favorite of mine, although the shine of it wore off me a tad over time; I still like it a lot, regardless.  I am not always a fan of the Gentle Giant-esque multi-layered harmonies (they can sound too corny at times), but I think the ones in this song are very well done.  The instrumentation is phenomenal as well.

There isn't anything special or crazy about "All on a Sunday," other than it being just a fun song that is great to crank up and rock out to.

Spock's has a lot of mellow acoustic songs, and "Goodbye to Yesterday" is one of the best ones, IMO.  A very impassioned vocal performance by Neal makes this song even better than it would be in the hands of just about any other vocalist.  Neal isn't a technically gifted singer by any means, but he has one of the most pleasant and engaging singing voices I have ever heard, and this song is a fine example of it.

And then we get to the BIG epic, "The Great Nothing," written about Kevin Gilbert.  On just about every level, this song is nothing short of phenomenal, and I like it a ton, but it does seem to lack that little extra something that would have actually made it phenomenal.  If you ask me what that something is, I cannot tell you; I just know it is out there, or shall I say, not out there. :lol :lol  Regardless, this is still a very well written tune, with some bone-chilling melodies.  2000 was kind of when Neal came up with a specific formula he would use quite often for long epics, first on Transatlantic's "All of the Above" and then here on "The Great Nothing," and there is no denying what a great formula it is.

Overall, I love this record, but for some reason, it isn't one I listen to as much I should considering how highly I think of it.  I probably wouldn't call it my favorite of theirs at this point in time, but it was still a tremendous achievement in the world of progressive rock, and solidified their position as one of the best modern prog rock bands. :hat

This is where it got real. Things got really heavy with this album. Although it's a favorite album of mine, there aren't very many light or fun songs on this album. (except for All on a Sunday and Thoughts Part II)

A first I though that The Great Nothing was inspired by Kevin Gilbert's The Shaming Of The True, but given the state of the music industry in the '90s they may have been feeling the same things.

 Tears have been shed after seeing At The End Of The Day live.  I can't even begin to explain what that was like. Everything seemed to come together on this record.  To me, everything up to this point has just been one magical ride.

The double show at the Bottom Line in 2001 was a night I'll never forget.  (Sitting at a table in right front of the mighty Spock's Beards on stage.)
 
I may be confusing tours, but Nick made be a fan of Squonk when he sang this live. I was never a fan of that song until I heard watched the band play it. I might even like their version better than the original.

Just a fantastic album and a very mature sound than what came before.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on October 02, 2015, 03:50:08 PM
Dang, I thought there'd be a lot more discussions about Snow.  Only six posts about it since Tuesday. ??? :(
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Orbert on October 02, 2015, 05:17:24 PM
I just got through my listen.  I still love it pretty much cover to cover, but man, it's a long work.  A double CD is a lot of music.  So I spread it out over the past few days while commuting.  Not optimal, but the only way to do it.

Wow, I'm starting to dig the second half more.  I found a few of the instrumentals really grabbing me like they didn't before, some great jams there.  It's possible that on previous listens, my attention and/or enthusiasm was starting to wander by then.  Ryo's "live" solo which is always fun (and not quite as cheesy as I remembered it being), and all the recaps, which do go on a bit, but it's a long work and there are a lot of themes to finish up.

That whole closing thing with

You're the wind at my back
You give what I lack
You're the jewel in my hand
You're like rain on dry land


structurally works the same way as the closing section from Tommy by The Who:

Listening to you, I get the music
Gazing at you, I get the heat
Following you, I climb the mountain
I get excitement at your feet


It's the reprise of a piece introduced earlier, repeated, with some variation to the lyrics, and serves as a great closing to the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Nihil-Morari on October 03, 2015, 05:26:04 AM
I love Snow. I really do. But I don't listen to it a lot. It doesn't work as background music, it's not a car album either. It's an album I need to listen to in one go, headphones on, following the lyrics. And that just doesn't really happen a lot. But I'll see if I can find the time these days!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 03, 2015, 05:38:11 AM
I will say that the combination of Wind at my Back with the ending run of I Will Go and Made Alive/Wind at my Back is one of my favorite sets of music by anyone ever.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: seasonsinthesky on October 03, 2015, 06:45:54 AM
Not enough love for "Carie" happening in here. That was the #1 wow moment on first listen for me. Sometimes I'm angry it doesn't go longer/have a chorus/etc. but on the other hand I think this and a lot of Snow benefits from fitting the overall structure rather than individual song structures. I get very tired of every song doing the chorus 3-4 times, so the way SB often avoid it or do it unconventionally (including more recent stuff) is a huge attraction.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on October 03, 2015, 07:15:58 AM
I remember many raving over Carie when the album first dropped, and I have always liked it a lot, but it has never really been a favorite of mine from the album.  Just too many other songs that are better, IMO.  Still a really good tune, regardless. :coolio

hef, mine too! :tup :tup

Orbert, very true about some of the instrumental jams on Disc 2.  I think Snow's Night Out is a good example of how fun SB's music can often sound.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Nihil-Morari on October 03, 2015, 03:00:16 PM
My favorite moment concerning this record was actually the first time after reading it was a concept album. I had listened to songs of this record before, or on shuffle or anything, but never noticed a storyline. (Which is quite obvious, but I guess not for a 16 year old non-English speaker)
The first time I heard the record after knowing it had a storyline I was floored by the line 'His folks named him John, but everyone else called him Snow'. Suddenly I was hit by the fact that this was a very special record. I loved that first listen.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on October 03, 2015, 09:33:26 PM
That is a pretty cool line. So simple, yet so effective.

One of my favorite lyrics from this record has always been, "And in two years he made the cover of Time."  It just sounds neat. :coolio
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: RoeDent on October 04, 2015, 01:32:50 AM
Ah, Snow. Magnificent album, one you can immerse yourself in for an evening. Some of my favourite moments/observations:

- My favourite of these musical themes is the one that appears on French horn after the vocals end in Made Alive, in the transition to the Overture. The way it changes from a major key to a minor key always gives me goosebumps. Especially when it comes in at the end of I'm Dying. That, to me personally, feels like the climax of the whole album, the crisis point.

- Another favourite moment is how, during Open the Gates Pt. 2, the line "Open up the flood..." just fades out. It doesn't resolve itself until the end of I Will Go when we finally come back to the key the album opened in for the Made Alive reprise.

- The instrumental in All Is Vanity reprises first of all the piano solo from Love Beyond Words, then the main part of the Overture. Coming halfway through the second disc this makes for a great interlude in the flow of the album.


Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Mladen on October 04, 2015, 04:23:47 AM
My favourite of these musical themes is the one that appears on French horn after the vocals end in Made Alive, in the transition to the Overture. The way it changes from a major key to a minor key always gives me goosebumps.
Yes, more appreciation for that theme! One of the most beautiful themes I've ever heard.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Nihil-Morari on October 04, 2015, 04:27:43 AM
Have you guys seen The Official Bootleg DVD by Transatlantic?

There's a bit on there, where Neal is backstage playing a song he just wrote that morning. It's called No Separation, and while it's a beautiful song, the best bit about that is, that after an acoustic guitar song he goes into that Horns theme. It was never used, but it's a great bit of insight in how Neal links things and how he was writing that record.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: The Letter M on October 04, 2015, 11:36:17 AM
Have you guys seen The Official Bootleg DVD by Transatlantic?

There's a bit on there, where Neal is backstage playing a song he just wrote that morning. It's called No Separation, and while it's a beautiful song, the best bit about that is, that after an acoustic guitar song he goes into that Horns theme. It was never used, but it's a great bit of insight in how Neal links things and how he was writing that record.

Huh, I'll have to look for that!

That reminds me, on Transatlantic's Live In Europe DVD, during "Stranger In Your Soul" Neal plays the piano break from "Love Beyond Words".

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Nihil-Morari on October 04, 2015, 11:47:51 AM
Have you guys seen The Official Bootleg DVD by Transatlantic?

There's a bit on there, where Neal is backstage playing a song he just wrote that morning. It's called No Separation, and while it's a beautiful song, the best bit about that is, that after an acoustic guitar song he goes into that Horns theme. It was never used, but it's a great bit of insight in how Neal links things and how he was writing that record.

Huh, I'll have to look for that!

That reminds me, on Transatlantic's Live In Europe DVD, during "Stranger In Your Soul" Neal plays the piano break from "Love Beyond Words".

-Marc.

Ah yeah! I forgot about that! That's a beautiful touch, fits perfectly.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: jingle.boy on October 05, 2015, 06:28:58 AM
My third fave SB album.  I love concepts, and while the story on this one is kinda out-there, it's still a magnificent album.  I could never imagine not listening to it start to finish.  I took a pause at the end of disc 1, but otherwise it's not something that can be appreciated unless listening to the whole thing.  Some concepts have standalone capabilities, I just think this doesn't. Sure, some songs could stand on their own, but I couldn't fathom why.  SFAM for instance, you can take almost any of those songs individually... I don't think that applies here.

Favorite parts mimic a lot of what has already been said - especially what hef said about the outro tracks.

No talk of Disc 3?  I know it's not part of the concept, but it's got some pretty nice bonus items.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: Cyclopssss on October 05, 2015, 06:33:57 AM
Awesome album and always bittersweet because of Neil leaving. But for the very last song, I always thought it was pretty flawless.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on October 05, 2015, 05:15:59 PM


No talk of Disc 3?  I know it's not part of the concept, but it's got some pretty nice bonus items.

The only things from that I remember are the acoustic version of The Light (which is very nice) and their cover of South Side of the Sky (which is a good demonstration of how awful Alan Morse's rhythm tone was at time in the early 00s).  I seem to remember the live acoustic version of Open Wide... being really good, but I haven't listened to it in a long time.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: RoeDent on October 08, 2015, 01:56:16 PM
If I may go back one album, I ordered a copy of V, and it arrived today. I'm giving it a full spin for the first time now. Away from the songs, I reckon the guy on the cover walking through the desert is Snow. Just, he has his head shaven and has his case replaced with a ghetto blaster during the off-season between albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. And my soul has been kissed...
Post by: KevShmev on October 08, 2015, 08:57:31 PM
LOL, I did not see that coming. :lol :lol

Next update coming soon...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: KevShmev on October 10, 2015, 09:04:15 AM
Feel Euphoria

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/SpocksBeardFeelEuphoria.jpg)

Following the departure of Neal Morse, the band revealed that they would be pulling a Genesis: instead of replacing Neal, drummer Nick D'Virgilio would take over the lead vocals, and Ryo Okumoto took over as the full-time player of all keyboard instruments.  I will admit I was skeptical, not necessarily of NDV singing, but would they be able to write good songs without their primary songwriter?  They did bring John Boegehold on as a regular songwriter, a possession he still retains as an unofficial band member.

Feel Euphoria came out in July of 2003, just 11 months after Snow. Shortly before its release, a teaser was posted online of clips from various songs from the new album and I was impressed with them; any doubts of whether I would buy the new album were gone. I bought the album right away and my cautious expectations were greatly exceeded right away. The album had a lot of energy, a bit more of a rocking edge, and, most importantly, really good songs.

The opener, "Onomatopoeia," was a slamming rocker from the start, unlike anything they had really ever done. It's like they were screaming, "Neal is gone, and we are going to rock now!" Good tune.  "The Bottom Line" is a great blend of pop and prog. I love the bubble synths in this song, especially in the proggy latter half; probably my third favorite song here. The title track is kind of a strange tune, and I like it, but I can see why a lot of fans do not; it's very strange. "Shining Star" is an enjoyable ballad, albeit not really that noteworthy.

The next two tracks are not only the two best on the album, but two of the best of the post-Neal era, IMO. "East of Eden, West of Memphis," is a fantastic rocker, with an impassioned vocal performance by NDV, an awesome rhythm, and a neat proggy latter half. Plus, it has my favorite NDV drum fill ever (that little cymbal thing he does in the 2nd verse the first time he sings East of Eden, West of Memphis...he does this little cymbal thing on the second "of" there that just sounds so freaking cool).  "Ghost of Autumn" is a lovely ballad, with some terrific piano work by Ryo, a great solo by Alan Morse, and a very dramatic melody; I remember hearing this song for the first time and thinking, "Okay, the band is going to be just fine."

"A Guy Named Sid" is the epic of the record, similar to "Healing Colors of Sound" in that it is broken up into multiple tracks instead of being one single track.  Like "Healing...," it kind of has that suite/melody feel more than "single song" feel, but it is is still pretty darn good. "You Don't Know" alone is one of the best moments on the entire album. Now, some of the lyrics in this song are tragically bad, but I can overlook them most of the time because the suite is such a fun musical ride. While not one of my absolute favorite epics of theirs, I still like it a lot as a whole.

"Carry On" ends the album on an upbeat, almost like the band's way of saying they will carry on without Neal and that this album is just the start. It kind of has that proggy, triumphant feel that bands can sometimes work into a song of normal length, and it's a good song, even if it does feel like at times that it could have been that much better had a few melodies been tweaked a bit.

So there we have it: the first post-Neal Morse Spock's Beard album, and it was a very good one. For many fans like me, who had lowered expectations, this album was a massively pleasant surprise, and I still enjoy the heck out of it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 10, 2015, 10:51:49 AM
I've only listened to this one a few times.  I had low expectations as well, and although it wasn't as bad as I feared it might be, it was different enough from the Neal era that it just, well, wasn't the same anymore. 

However, now a lot of time has gone by, and the idea of SB without NM isn't weird anymore.  So I look forward to listening to this again with "new" ears.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Orbert on October 10, 2015, 01:25:45 PM
I remember being pretty disappointed by this when I first listened to it, despite keeping expectations low.  They definitely sounded different, and it's not that different is bad, it's that in this case it just wasn't very good.

I listened again earlier this week, after Snow, and I found it much better than I'd thought.  More rocking, and a few things musically we never heard with the old Spock's Beard.  This was the one to reestablished them, and as such, it's not bad.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: The Letter M on October 10, 2015, 06:58:54 PM
Been spinning this one a few times this past week in anticipation of this post. I remember listening to this one after I had already fallen in love with the Neal-Era SB albums, and this one was definitely different, and a bit of a departure of what had come before it. Later albums would return to their former glory and heavy prog roots, but this one was definitely different for the sake of being different. It was a statement, a declaration that the band was ready to show off what they had without Neal.

If anything remained the same, it was the structure of the album - rocking opener, a couple slower songs, a ballad, a couple of longer songs with extended crazy instrumental sections, a multi-movement epic, and a closer to round things out. This was, on paper, definitely a Spock's Beard album, but the music was something else. Each member picked up their slack and expressed themselves to a new extent, and mostly with good results!

Despite how good this one turned out to be in retrospect, the three albums that followed, making up the Nick-Era, definitely were better and more focused, though the opener, "Ghosts of Autumn", "East Of Eden, West Of Memphis", and the epic "A Guy Named Sid" are some of my favorites from the album, and from the Nick-Era albums over-all!

It's still a shame that no live album was released from this period given that the band performed a medley of Snow songs, as well as AGNS. Are there any decent soundboard bootlegs out there of this tour? I'd love to hear one, especially since we've gotten live albums from following three albums' tours.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: KevShmev on October 10, 2015, 10:11:21 PM
Not to jump ahead, but I definitely do not agree that the next two albums were better.  FE and Octane are both pretty consistent, but FE has higher highs, and the self-titled has some of their most bland songs ever.  Okay, I jumped ahead a bit. :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: The Letter M on October 11, 2015, 10:58:47 AM
Not to jump ahead, but I definitely do not agree that the next two albums were better.  FE and Octane are both pretty consistent, but FE has higher highs, and the self-titled has some of their most bland songs ever.  Okay, I jumped ahead a bit. :lol :lol

I can understand why you feel that way. To be honest, for me, I rank FE and SB9 to be pretty close to me. It took me awhile to warm-up to FE, and I became a fan of the band between Octane and SB9, so being their first new record after becoming a fan, SB9 had an impact on me and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Ask me in a few years and I might say I like FE more than SB9, or I may say I like them just the same, though I do agree Octane (Special Edition) is better than both (and X is definitely the best of the Nick-Era albums).

And speaking of Special Editions, I do want to add that Feel Euphoria DOES feature two bonus tracks, "Moth Of Many Flames", an acoustic piece by sung Alan Morse and co-written with John Boegehold, and "From The Messenger" by Ryo Okumoto, a solo keyboard/synth piece that is very atmospheric.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: jammindude on October 11, 2015, 11:46:17 AM
I don't think you can compare NM leaving Spock's Beard to PG leaving Genesis.    PG was mostly just a lyricist.   NM was very nearly 100% of the entire songwriting.

It would be more like Porcupine Tree continuing without Steven Wilson. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: KevShmev on October 11, 2015, 02:40:02 PM
Very true.  It's just an easy one to make because Spock's/Neal was heavily influenced by Genesis, and in both cases, the drummer took over as the lead singer.

Also, I didn't mention the FE bonus tracks because neither are noteworthy at all.  From the Messenger is okay as a mellow instrumental, while Moth of Many Flames is Exhibit A as to why Alan Morse should NEVER sing lead vocals. :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Orbert on October 11, 2015, 06:04:07 PM
The parallel is in the band's leader (as perceived by the public, even if we now know the difference is quite substantial) leaving, and the band carrying on not by replacing him, but by merely continuing with the remaining band members.

I agree that in reality, it would be more like Steven leaving Porcupine Tree.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Nihil-Morari on October 12, 2015, 01:17:53 AM
I remember listening to this album once, not even knowing Neal took off. I guess it was just before my DTF days, and where are you supposed to get your prog news instead of on DTF, right? So not hearing Neal was a shock, never listened to the album again.

Now I listen to it as a first of 6 albums by a new group, and with an open mind, there are a lot of things I like. I really love Nick's voice, have always really liked his drumming. The songwriting is ok, some parts are quite good even, but nothing as outstanding as the high points of one of the first six albums.

I'm only as far as East Of Eden, West Of Memphis right now, I'm looking forward to A Guy Named Sid, as I never really care about lyrics, and love epics.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Mladen on October 12, 2015, 07:08:54 AM
I don't like that many songs from the album. The epic has some great bits, Onomatopoeia is pretty rockin', but that's about it. They were yet to find themselves without Neal, and I think they pull it off extremely well on the next record. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Kwyjibo on October 13, 2015, 02:21:48 AM
I was shocked when Neal announced his departure and was really surprised when the rest of the guys decided to carry on. After all Neal wasn’t only the lead singer, keyboard and occasional guitar player and charismatic frontman, he wrote (almost) all of the songs, he was Spock’s Beard as much as Steven Wilson is Porcupine Tree or Mikael Akerfeldt is Opeth or Daniel Gildenlöw is Pain Of Salvation etc.

Because of this Feel Euphoria is a very important album in their career. If this would have tanked I’m sure there would be no more Spock’s Beard today.

It’s no surprise that Feel Euphoria sounds different. It’s more rocking and maybe less proggy. I like this album but it’s not as great as others. It hinted at the direction they would go in the future but on the whole it’s my least favorite SB record.

Nick does a real good job at singing and Ryo really took over on the keyboards and this will become more and more obvious on the coming records.

Most of the songs are good but for me there are no really standout tracks. My favorites would be Ghosts Of Autumn and Onomatopeia. A Guy named Sid is the attempt at an epic, but for me it’s more a bunch of songs that have some recurring lyrical and musical themes than a cohesive piece of music. For me, Neal was definitely better at glueing the different musical sections together and creating epics with a constant flow.

My conclusion: good enough album that kept me interested in the band. Mission accomplished.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 13, 2015, 07:53:51 AM
Finished my listen this morning.

It is definitely a good, and interesting album.  Better than I remember.

But it is still, to me, marked by what it's not than what it is.  It will probably always rank for me at the bottom of the SB discography.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: KevShmev on October 13, 2015, 09:47:30 PM
Not surprised to see many ranking this near the bottom, but I am shocked to see some put it at the bottom considering the self-titled album exists. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Kwyjibo on October 13, 2015, 11:51:40 PM
Well it's easy to explain: the self-titled is better  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: Mladen on October 14, 2015, 01:31:58 AM
The self titled is at the very bottom for me. This one is just slightly above. I gave it another spin yesterday, the epic suite is better than I remembered it, though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. There's a place for you to start
Post by: jingle.boy on October 15, 2015, 06:33:00 AM
Having not discovered SB until the mid-00s, and not diving into all the details of the history, I didn't know the significance of this being the first post-Neal album.  I do rank it 2nd from the bottom (s/t being at the bottom), but suspect that when I listen to it later today, it might be a little refreshing.  According to my iTunes library, I've spun it 7 times, and honestly, the only tune I could remember anything about is the opener.  I can't recall a single melody, lyric, or anything from any other song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: KevShmev on October 16, 2015, 06:04:31 PM
Octane

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7d/Spocksbeard-octane-200.jpg)

The beginning of 2005 saw the release of the band's 8th studio album, appropriately titled Octane, and the second featuring Nick D'Virgilio on lead vocals.  Despite liking most of it, I was initially somewhat disappointed by this record, largely because it seemed to lack anything really great. Even the songs I liked the most are first were ones I thought didn't touch the best songs from all of their other albums. However, over time I have grown to really like this record, and while still not one of my favorites, it is a very good and consistent listen.

The first seven tracks comprise the "A Flash Before My Eyes" suite.  Similar to "Healing Colors..." in style and scope, it is more of a suite of songs than a single song. "She Is Everything" is the clear standout from it, featuring a terrific guitar solo by Alan Morse, but "I Wouldn't Let It Go" is a lovely tune that should receive more stand-alone praise than it gets. The opener, "The Ballet of the Impact," is a really good opener, kicked off by the mellotron! I am still a little iffy on the vocal melodies in "Surfing Down the Avalanche," which are a bit clunky, but musically it's great, and it sure does rock. "Climbing Up That Hill" is a nice little rocker, "Letting Go" provides a nice atmosphere leading into the conclusion that is "Of the Beauty of It All," which ends the suite in a very dramatic fashion. Overall, this collection of seven songs is really, really good, and whether you call it a single song or a suite, it works very well.

The second half of the album beings with "NWC," a fun little instrumental that isn't overly notable, but sure does sound nice when listening to this record from start to finish. "There Was a Time" is quite possibly the catchiest song of the NDV-led era. I truly believe it is a song that could have been somewhat popular if Spock's Beard were a known band at all.

"The Planet's Hum" is, to me, the best four minutes and 42 seconds on this record. Just a fantastic tune, featuring some beastly playing by David Meros, who you'd swear was channeling Chris Squire in this song. This song is impossible to not sing along to.  It took me a long time to really get into "Watching the Tide," but I enjoy it a lot now. The intro with just NDV singing over a piano is just gorgeous.  "As Long As We Ride," the closer, is a song that has always seemed to get knocked for not being that good, but while not great, it's still a fun, little rocker that I can always crank up and enjoy in the car.

Overall, this is a damn fine record, and it's a testament to how good this band has been when a record this good is probably one of their least best efforts.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: The Letter M on October 16, 2015, 07:34:56 PM
This album was the band's newest release when I became a fan, and so, like DT's Train Of Thought the previous year for me, this became one of the most played albums of mine in 2005. The opening epic suite was one of my favorites, and it still holds up to this day. Sure, it's not so much of a full-length, non-stop piece as much as it is a series of songs that tell a singular story, a mini-concept album in its own right, but each of its pieces ranges from good to great and very strong. Some of the band's best writing and performing lies within these 30 minutes or so of music.

The other five smaller tracks that make up the main album are pretty good, though I might argue that four of the five bonus songs are just AS GOOD, if not BETTER than those five tracks. "NWC" is a solid instrumental and "There Was A Time" is a catchy love song. "The Planet's Hum" is one of the best tracks on the album with a great opening bit, while "Watching The Tide" is quite a cool down before the rousing closer in "As Long As We Ride".

The bonus tracks, however, feature some great music, especially in "When She's Gone" and "Follow Me To Sleep".

I've always had this album as a near 80-minute masterpiece with the main album, followed by the 5 bonus tracks on the 2nd disc, all burned onto one 80-minute CD-r. It's pretty perfect because the album closes with (yet another) Ryo solo in "Listening To The Sky", which was used to open on tour for this album, briefly heard as the intro on Gluttons For Punishment, which then goes into the opening of "A Flash Before My Eyes". The way the CD-r plays, it closes with "Listening To The Sky" before looping back to AFBME, quite perfectly, too. Thank goodness all of these tracks fit onto one CD-r!!!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: Mladen on October 17, 2015, 03:14:07 AM
This album is just great.

I absolutely love the suite, it's arguably their best suite. She is everything is gorgeous, Climbing up that hill is very infectious, and Surfing down the avalanche is truly an insane, aggressive number, probably one of their heaviest songs ever. The glockenspiel bit that ends I wouldn't let it go is also very touching, if I can single out one of those brief moments that make songs special.

The shorter tunes are also damn good. There was a time is a hit, and I really enjoy As long as we ride as well, another great rocker. The only song I don't care for is Watching the tide, it's not very memorable.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: jingle.boy on October 17, 2015, 08:17:36 AM
Similar to Marc, this was the active album when I became a fan, so got a lot of spins.  Still holds up to this day, even though I don't go to it very often.  It's certainly a vast improvement over Feel Euphoria (which, after listening to it the other day, is still pretty mediocre to my ears).  Pretty much agree with all that's been said.  There are no clunkers on this one.  To me, all tunes are a B+ and greater.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: KevShmev on October 17, 2015, 08:38:02 AM
Honestly, I think the comparisons to FE were why I stubbornly didn't give Octane its props for a while.  It seemed like everyone at the time was saying Octane was an improvement over Feel Euphoria, which I disagreed with, so, being a knucklehead at the time :lol, I kind of took the "Octane isn't that great" stance.  I still think FE is slightly better, but it's close.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: jingle.boy on October 17, 2015, 08:38:28 PM
Honestly, I think the comparisons to FE were why I stubbornly didn't give Octane its props for a while.  It seemed like everyone at the time was saying Octane was an improvement over Feel Euphoria, which I disagreed with, so, being a knucklehead at the time :lol, I kind of took the "Octane isn't that great" stance.  I still think FE is slightly better, but it's close.

Which I would have to think has to do with the knowledge of the ongoings of the band, timing, when/how you listened to each etc...  I think after Day For Night and Octane, I naturally went to all the "classic" Neal-era albums, and didn't get to FE until a few years later.  Up to this point in the discog, FE is by far the weakest in my ears.  And it's not even close. 

Until .... to be continued
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: gptyk on October 17, 2015, 09:46:21 PM
OK, I went from lurker to signing up just for this thread.  (And I promise I'll get on-topic soon)

I heard "The Light" within a year of it's release and was hooked. MegaHooked, and bad. No longer was I stuck in the past with old Genesis, Yes, Kansas, etc, again and again. Spock's brought me new tunes, and phenomenally good ones at that.

Saw em in hollywood. Saw em with DT. Saw em as often as I could. I'm a fan. Drift away every now and then for a few months, but come back for some serious listens. I've been tracking the entire studio discography for the last few days.

To me, Spock's is like pizza (or sex), even when it's bad, it's still pretty good. "Moth to Many Flames"  is downright terrible by Spock's beard standards... But it's still better than a whole lot of crap out there.

I loved the Neal era. I'll crank up the Healing Colors suite to ear-splitting volumes every few weeks or so. Just love that stuff.  I could go on and on about the first 7 albums, but that's off topic at this point. 

Back on topic: I really like Octane. Nope, not the best of the studio records, but it's solid. KevShmev's analysis is pretty good.  Nick has some texture to his voice that I really like on here. I really liked FE too.

For all their records, it takes 2-3 spins through before I really get into it. But I've grown to appreciate most of what they put out. And they do a lot in 6/8 and I'm sucker for 6/8 -- "Carry On" is playing as I type this...

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: Mladen on October 18, 2015, 05:32:53 AM
Wow, that's what I call a great first post! Welcome aboard.  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: KevShmev on October 18, 2015, 06:24:44 AM
Welcome, gptyk! Good to see another Spock's fan here. :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: Kwyjibo on October 19, 2015, 01:48:24 AM
I really like this album and it's a big step up from Feel Euphoria.

The Flash Before My Eyes Suite is just so great. Again this is more a series of (connected) songs than a real epic but it works really well. Hard for me to chose the standout tracks because they're all great, maybe She Is everything is a notch better but so are The Ballet Of The Impact (that intro  :metal) and I Wouldn't Let It Go.

The rest of the songs outside the suite are nice but they don't grab me that much. Some good songs to sing along too.

And here I think Nick really has found his style as a singer. Not that he was bad on FE but here he sounds much more comfortable with his role and adds so much variety and feeling.

If it wasn't for X this would be my favorite Nick album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: KevShmev on October 20, 2015, 08:35:00 PM
Next update is coming soon, but it's been a while since I have listened to the next album, because I am iffy on much of it, so I need to have time to listen to it so my review can be complete.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Living life at ease
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 21, 2015, 08:06:31 AM
Finished up my re-listen of Octane.

It was OK.  There wasn't anything wrong with it, and it was certainly a step up from Feel Euphoria, but for me there was nothing outstanding about it. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: KevShmev on October 21, 2015, 06:06:31 PM
Okay, if I wait till I listen to this album again, it'll take weeks, so to heck with it...

Spock's Beard


(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c1/SpocksBeardSelfTitled.jpg)

The band's 9th album, released in the fall of 2006, was their first and, to date for me, their only major disappointment.  It's not a bad album, but much of it is just kind of there, to the point where I have little memory of quite a few of the songs.  It does have three standouts - "With Your Kiss," "Skeletons at the Feast" and "On a Perfect Day" - all of which are really good tunes.  The tribal drums section of "With Your Kiss" is pretty awesome and always worthy of cranking up to the max.  The middle section of "On a Perfect Day" with that piano work and nice little understated guitar solo is pretty sweet.  On the flip side, "Is This Love" still sticks in my head as a song that should have ended up on the cutting floor.  "Rearranged" isn't a bad song, but it's not one I ever go for.  I don't have much else to say about this record. Again, it's not a bad album, and it does have its worthy songs, but it is by far their least best album to date.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: Mladen on October 22, 2015, 04:31:37 AM
The opening song, On a perfect day, is a masterpiece. Easily one of their better crafted tunes. Skeletons at the feast is an okay instrumental, Is this love is a tolerable rocker and All of this is fairly pretty. It all goes downhill from there with not a single song being even remotely interesting. The unlistenable Hereafter gets my vote as one of the worst SB songs, and there's not a single thing about the suite that I find memorable.

It's a shame that a self titled album is way too average by the band's standards. My least favorite album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: Onno on October 22, 2015, 07:22:14 AM
I listened to this album last weekend on a train journey and I basically only liked On A Perfect Day, Skeletons on a Feast and the last song (Rearranged?). Of those I think the first two are absolutely fantastic and Rearranged is pretty decent, but I didn't like the rest of the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: RoeDent on October 22, 2015, 08:02:35 AM
On a Perfect Day was the first SB song I heard and got into, but the album is not in my collection yet.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 22, 2015, 08:18:38 AM
I may listen to it again, but I don't really care for the album very much.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: Mladen on October 22, 2015, 11:44:31 AM
How was this album received initially?

The reviews I read here and there show me that it was apparently considered a comeback by some, it was probably the idea of making it the self-titled album that reinforced the message of "SB is back." But now, after the generally well received X and BNADS, people must have a hard time looking back at it and thinking that it was a return to form.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: Kwyjibo on October 23, 2015, 01:18:34 AM
When this came out it was pretty much what I expected, it's kinda similar in style to Octane.

On A Perfect Day is great, Skeletons is good but I never was so keen on SB instrumentals. All That's Left is another really great (and mostly overlooked) song. With Your Kiss is a bit all over the place but I like it nonetheless. The Slow Crash Landing Man and the As Far As The Mind Can See-Suite are also good songs. The rest is listenable but not really memorable to me.

So all in all a good record for me, way better than Feel Euphoria but not as good as Octane.

Edit: just listened to it again and Rearranged is a really good sing-along rocker.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: kaos2900 on October 23, 2015, 06:31:03 AM
So all in all a good record for me, way better than Feel Euphoria but not as good as Octane.

This sums up my feelings on the record. It's good but not the best SB out there. I love Octane.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: gptyk on October 23, 2015, 04:30:27 PM
Octane is better. Heck, I like FE a bit better - i.e. I'd rather track all the way through FE than SB.

"On a Perfect Day" is really good. So is "Skeletons".
Then we get "Is this love" which to me is pretty dang forgettable. Kinda breaks up the record if listening straight through. Much better if played on random after some Night Ranger or something.
"All That's Left" is OK. Not a standout, but lots of what feels like 6/4... and I'm a sucker for that.
"With Your Kiss" is kickass. Great vocal timbre, flows well from part to part. This one is a tasty slice of bearddom.
"Sometiimes they stay...." Meh... Better than Is This Love, but not by much. Great on random, rather not track it through.
"Slow Crash Landing Man" is ok. I'll listen to it. Some great organ sound and I like the music. Vocals put me off a bit somehow.
"Wherever You Stand"  Well, I'd say it's better than some random Loverboy B-side.
I'd rather listen to Loverboy than "Hereafter". Well, maybe not that extreme but I'll never seek it out just to listen to it. I've skipped it more than once.
I seem to be alone in really liking "As Far as The Mind Can See." Yup, it's not Healing Colors, but it's pretty good. I will seek this one out to track it through. Pt3 is the sing-along track of the record to me.
"Rearranged" is an also-ran. It's ok and all, just not special.

All in all, a decent record. But not great.

I have to admit I don't pay much attention to the lyrics much when listening to SB. Got in that habit in the Neal era when the lyrical content was all the same subject. (Ditto Transalantic and Flying Colors - and I could never force myself to pick up Neal's solo stuff post beard)



Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: The Letter M on October 23, 2015, 05:27:34 PM
Being the first brand spankin' new album by the band after I became a mega-fan, this is an album that got a LOT of spins from me when it was new. Even today, I find myself listening to it as often as FE or even Octane, though never as much as X to be honest.

The first two tracks, as most say, are some of the best on the album, and by the band from that era. "On A Perfect Day" is a great opener, right up there with "Day For Night", "Beware Of Darkness" and others, while the following instrumental is another musical treat for the ears with some fast-paced and tricky drumming and riffing going on.

I've actually grown to LIKE "Is This Love?" a lot over the years. It's very quirky and rocks pretty hard, and I especially like that short unison bit in the middle before the last chorus. I imagine this is something akin to other weird and quirky tracks the band had done with Neal, but with the D'Virgilio-edge to it, harder and rockier over-all. "All That's Left" is the first of a series of slower songs/ballads on the album, but I do enjoy this one quite a bit, and the 3/4 or 6/4 it's in is pretty soothing.

The epic "With Your Kiss" is a great song, right up there with other 10-12 minute songs by the band, and it's a shame it took SB two albums since Neal to write a track like this, although we'd get a few more on the following album. This is a highlight of the album IMO, and one track I wish they would've released live on a Nick-era live album! "Sometimes They Stay, Sometimes They Go" is the first of REALLY OK tracks on here, and I do agree, it could've best been left as a B-Side or a Bonus Disc track. It's not TERRIBLE by music standards, but by SB standards, it's average.

"Wherever You Stand" is OK as well, and a bit forgettable after awhile. "Hereafter" is the token piano ballad, and I love Nick's vocals on this one, as well as Ryo's piano playing. This is a great piece and it sets up the four-part epic pretty well (I've always enjoyed the soft-tune before an epic idea, all the way back to Genesis' Foxtrot).

The four part "As Far As The  Mind Can See" is pretty good, and a bit tighter than "A Guy Named Sid", and works fairly well as a single piece, while also having highly enjoyable individual tracks, especially parts 3 and 4. The closing "Rearranged" is OK, and works as an album-closer over-all, but it's fairly average in terms of SB songs, and doesn't quite live up to songs like "On The Edge" or "Carry On" in terms of short closing songs (rather than closing with an epic).

Over-all, there's some great highs on here, but some boringly average mids/lows, which kind of drags the whole album down a bit, but they had some great ideas on here. It wasn't until the next album where they took those highs and focused them into 8 great songs with consistent high quality. If FE was the shaky first album and Octane was their sophomore settling, this was them trying to experiment a bit more again, but after three kind-of different albums, they definitely found their sound with the fourth, but more on that in a couple of weeks (or whenever we get to it).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Spock's Beard
Post by: KevShmev on October 23, 2015, 06:12:15 PM
How was this album received initially?

 

Not sure, but as a longtime prog fan, the fall of 2006 was admittedly an odd time for me as a fan of the genre.  That was my last semester of college, so that kept me nice and busy, and 2006 was smack dab in the middle of a several year period where I wasn't necessarily off of prog, but was getting into some post rock and non-prog bands like Radiohead, Death Cab and Foo Fighters, so while it would be easy for me to say that Spock's Beard's self-titled album probably didn't get my full attention because of those reasons, a full-fledged prog album from earlier that year (Paradox Hotel by The Flower Kings) did, and that one slayed me and still does, so I think it really just comes back to this album just not being that great.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: KevShmev on October 31, 2015, 08:45:52 AM
X

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/SpocksBeardX.jpg)

For their 10th studio album, Spock's Beard ran a special promotion ahead of time where fans could order the special edition of the record, which helped fund the record, and as a result, the special edition contained a bonus song called "Their Names Escape Me," which had a long section in the latter half of the song where the name of every person who contributed was sang/spoken. Despite being a big fan, I did not do this, since the cost was not cheap (and I was strapped for cash at the time), and I have to admit that after the decline in quality on the last album, I was more than a bit nervous about paying that much for an album that might not be that good.  I was wrong.  When X came out, to say I was pleasantly surprised would be the understatement of the year; I was floored.

The first track, "Edge of the In-Between," gets us off to a great start, with a great blend of prog and catchy pop. The vocal melodies are about as catchy as catchy gets, while the intro of the song and the extended instrumental section in the middle both scream prog.  This was their best opening track since "At the End of the Day" from V.

The next two songs are the only ones I would say are merely good. I never got out of my way to listen to "Kamikaze" or "The Emperor's Clothes," but both are enjoyable enough within the context of full listens of the album.  Neither are anything special, though.

Now, if you want to talk special, I present to you, "From the Darkness," which is 17 minutes of pure awesomeness.  I love how, instead of the traditional Beard slow burn intro for a longer song, this kicks off rocking out and the vocals begin 30 seconds into the song.  It lets you know that it is going to be a different kind of arrangement, yet we still get some amazing mellow sections. That piano lead Ryo plays a little after the 9-minute mark is one of my favorite moments on the entire record, and shows was a great pianist he is.  When Neal was in the band, Ryo played mainly just mellotron and hammond organ, but since taking over all of the keyboard duties, his skills on the piano have really stood out.  This is a top 10 Beard tune, in my book.

"The Quiet House" seems to be a song that gets overlooked a lot, but I love it. That main riff, first introduced by David Meros on the bass, and then played both Meros and Alan Morse, is great, and hey look at that, we have another tremendous section led by a great melody on the piano, just after the 4-minute mark.  That whole section with Ryo playing the piano and NDV singing is just gorgeous. Great tune.

The aforementioned "Their Names Escape Me" is a good song, even if the latter half of the song is a bit tedious with repeated listens thanks to the barrage of names. I wish they would have done a shorter version of the song, too, since the meat of the song (first four minutes) is pretty darn good.

"The Man Behind the Curtain" has kind of a Kansas vibe at times, I think because the main synth lead that kicks off the song sounds like something Kansas would have played on the violin.  That is always the impression I get whenever I hear it. Really good song, featuring some nice dynamic shifts yet again, and the instrumental section is one of the more underrated parts of the album, in the sense that I never see people talk about it.

The final song, "Jaws of Heaven," is prog perfection.  A top 5 Beard song by just about any measure, this is just as awesome to me now as it was back in 2010 when this record came out.  I have listened to this song more times than I can count, and it is still one of my favorite songs by any artist.

We didn't know it at the time, but this would be Nick D'Virgilio's final record with the band.  He departed late in 2011 because he wanted to focus on his work with Cirque de Soleil, a traveling theater production, and while he never said it and probably will never say it, the fact that the Beard have a hard time making any money, because of their decreased fan base, had to have a large hand in his decision; a man has to eat, ya know. ;)  At least he went out on "top," with the Beard giving us a fantastic record, undoubtedly the best of the NDV-led era. :coolio :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: jingle.boy on October 31, 2015, 08:53:36 AM
Regarding the s/t ... Still better than FE

X ... fantastic album.  I don't go to it often, but am always pleased when I do. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Orbert on October 31, 2015, 10:48:41 AM
I like this one, too.  I have to admit, I have a downloaded copy of the Special Edition, and I'd forgotten all about the names thing, until that track started playing.  I think it's cool.  Yeah, it does go on a bit, but the harmonies and chords change, and the intensity builds; it's not just the same thing over and over.  They didn't have to do that.  I imagine the people who contributed wondering whether it's cooler to have your name be one of the first, or later on, sung in three-part harmony.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: KevShmev on October 31, 2015, 01:03:05 PM
Good point, that the music does have a natural flow and build during the name-naming part. ;) 

I like the kind of creepy and dark vibe of the song as well, which is rather different for them.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Orbert on October 31, 2015, 01:21:16 PM
Also, I like the twist with the title itself.  "Their Names Escape Me" is a known expression with a completely different meaning.  If you're hanging out with someone, and they're trying to think of someone's name, but it escapes them, torture is rarely an acceptable action for getting them to give up the name.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Mladen on October 31, 2015, 02:09:10 PM
I started listening to SB in January of 2008 and I liked them a lot. To be honest, I liked the Neal era. But once X came out, I became a true fan of the band. This album is just tremendous, the longer songs are all classics. Jaws of heaven truly is one of the best songs they've ever come up with, and The Quiet house, Edge of the in-between and From the darkness also stood the test of time.

I was so floored by this album that I made the trip to see the guys live in the early fall of 2010 and they played the entire album. Such a tremendous performance and my only time seeing them with NDV. His departure was unexpected, but after being trained by MP leaving DT, I knew how to deal with it. The fans needed to move on, which wasn't as hard once the new album was announced and some snippets were released.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: RoeDent on October 31, 2015, 02:30:21 PM
X is a marvellous album. With 7 tracks and over 70 minutes of music, the album is generously-filled too, even the standard version. Of the two 'epics', From the Darkness feels more like four songs joined together, as no themes are repeated in any of the subsequent sections. Unless someone who knows the music better can come up with a subtle reference within. Jaws of Heaven, on the other hand, feels like a single 16-minute song, with the piano solo in part 1 reappearing and becoming the main foundation upon which the rest of the song is based.

My favourite song on the album though is The Quiet House. This was what made me get the album. Wonderful chorus to it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Onno on October 31, 2015, 02:33:45 PM
It's my second favourite SB album  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: The Letter M on October 31, 2015, 03:32:19 PM
After three albums, it seemed that the band had finally settled in and found the sound they were looking for, and the sound I, as a fan of 5 years or so at the time, was looking for. Their tenth album felt like the culmination of all the best bits of their previous three albums, where everyone brought their A-game to the studio, writing and performing some of the best material the band has ever written.

"Edge Of The In-Between" is indeed one of the best openers that SB has ever penned, and it immediately catches you with some great melodies. If "On A Perfect Day" was pretty solid, this was a diamond, and I'll echo the sentiment that this was their best opener since "At The End Of The Day" five albums previous.

The next two tracks are pretty good, above-average SB IMO - "Kamikaze" continues the tradition of instrumentals (in the footsteps of "NWC" and "Skeletons At The Feast"), but this one feels a bit more jammy and proggy at times, with some amazing keyboard work by Ryo; "The Emperor's Clothes" is a silly but fun story with some credit due to Neal Morse!!! Who knew we'd see THAT name on the SB credits list ever again?! (And wouldn't you know it, we would once more on the follow-up album, but more on that when we get there).

The fourth song, the entirety of side B of the record, is the epic "From The Darkness", a Top 10 SB tune for me, and it's a much better D'Virgilio-penned epic than "As Far As The Mind Can See", though both are four parts and tread some similar musical ground, the one here just feels better to me. Definitely a highlight track when the album came out, and still today.

Following that first major epic, "The Quiet House" is a song that took me awhile to get into, but it's grown on me over the years. "Their Names Escape Me" is a novel idea, and while one might feel like its novelty would wear off after repeated listens, I still like it as much as I ever have. For those who don't like it as much because of the names-gimmick, there's always the version with the sax solo in the second half (which I feel should have been included in the upcoming compilation as a B-side/rarity...). "The Man Behind The Curtain" is another quirky SB tune that feels classic but has the Nick-Era edge to it, along with some great lyrics here and there.

The closing epic "Jaws Of Heaven" is a heavy and dark piece, and while it has four subsections, it feels like one whole song with a couple recurring themes throughout. It's definitely a different way for the band to close an album, but it's some of the best music on the whole thing. I would love to see the current line-up pull this one out sometime!

Over-all, this was the kind of album I had hoped for with SB9 after the rousing Octane, but we got what we did and had to wait four years between that and this (which felt like a LOOOONG time after just becoming a fan). Had I had the money at the time, I would've paid for the Super Special Limited Deluxe Edition to have my name in the song and booklet, but I was strapped for cash and couldn't. Every time I hear the song, I think about where my name could have fit or how it could've been sung, and with every listen of that song, I regret not having the money for it at the time. Ah well, the fans who DID manage to pay for that and help fund the band are EXTREMELY lucky and their names get to be heard by me (and tens of thousands of other SB fans worldwide) every time the song is played.

In hindsight, this was a stellar album for NDV to bow out on, but it was still a sad day to see him leave. Lead vocalist, drummer, and a writer, all in one man, and so two others had to replace him, but little did I know at the time that their next effort would be just as good, and proved that the band, despite it's second member loss, could still strive as a musical unit and create songs that still had the SB sound (which now has a collection of no less than 7 people writing for it)!!!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Mosh on October 31, 2015, 09:18:49 PM
 X is the first album since Neal left where it feels like the band has found its sound and can exist beyond the shadow of Neal Morse. It's very unfortunate that it also ended up being NDV's last. But it stands up to the early stuff for the most part. One of their best.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: devieira73 on November 01, 2015, 10:21:34 AM
I like this one, too.  I have to admit, I have a downloaded copy of the Special Edition, and I'd forgotten all about the names thing, until that track started playing.  I think it's cool.  Yeah, it does go on a bit, but the harmonies and chords change, and the intensity builds; it's not just the same thing over and over.  They didn't have to do that.  I imagine the people who contributed wondering whether it's cooler to have your name be one of the first, or later on, sung in three-part harmony.
In case you don't know, there's a nameless version of this song (256 kbps) on the DVD The X Tour Live.
By the way, IMO I've never seen a coolest or more original or more artistical way to any band to say thank you to the fans like this.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Orbert on November 01, 2015, 11:04:39 AM
That's cool that they played the song on the tour.  Kinda wacky to do it without the names, though, but I understand why.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: devieira73 on November 01, 2015, 12:12:57 PM
That's cool that they played the song on the tour.  Kinda wacky to do it without the names, though, but I understand why.
In fact, it's a studio version (audio only) and it's the in DVD not in the CDs.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: The Letter M on November 01, 2015, 01:34:20 PM
Correct - the song was never played live by the band, and I think the remix with the sax solo was only played as post-concert music. The remix was also released elsewhere, I believe, but can be found on youtube (as I just listened to it the other day).

I still wish we had a CD collection of the following SB tracks, readily available to fans who don't have these:
Into Fire
Stratus
Hurt
The Truth
Southside Of The Sky
Their Names Escape Me (Nameless Version)

And maybe a few others, or throw in some single edits. THAT would have been a neat compilation because some of those tracks are hard to find.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: devieira73 on November 02, 2015, 02:09:15 PM
https://www.startrek.com/article/exclusive-interview-prog-rock-band-spocks-beard
Nothing new, just because it's cool to see the band there. ;)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 03, 2015, 05:16:05 AM
After three records without Neal, SB had established a new sound that I liked but didn’t really love. So I hadn’t really high expectations for the next one. Nonetheless I preordered this thing from their website and when it finally made its way to my post box and I listened to it for the first time, I was completely blown away.

My second favorite SB record and one of my all-time favorites.

With X they finally came out of Neal’s shadow and showed that they were able to be on par or even surpass some of the “classic” records. Everything fits together, everyone brought their best ideas and performances to the studio.

Every song is great, the only song I’m not wild about is Kamikaze but it’s okay as it is. The highlights are the two longest tracks, From The Darkness and Jaws Of Heaven.

Their Names Escape me works surprisingly well. To put a lot of names into a song and keep it interesting was certainly no easy task, but they did it really well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: gptyk on November 03, 2015, 11:44:51 PM
No doubt, this was the best NDV era beard record. Whoever said they all brought their "A" game was spot on.

The long songs are fantastic, the shorter ones are the lesser offerings on this one - but even there, when the horns come out on Emperor's Clothes, yup. I'm even hooked on that one.

I really liked NDV on all the records. He had some great texture to his voice that Neal didn't. (and Ted Leonard doesn't either, but that's for later). Now I'm also a great fan of Kevin Gilbert, and maybe some of that rubbed of on NDV.

But X was a true standout. The band is obviously in it's element on this one. Sure, it's a bit of a bummer that Nick ran off on joined the circus, but hey - I/we got some great music to listen to out of his stint with the Beard. Nothing lasts forever.

Y'all notice how much Meros contributes to the overall "Beardness?" - - I've noticed that the bass is very key to what makes the sound - particularly post-Neal.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 06, 2015, 08:21:17 AM
Finished up my re-listen of this album this morning on the drive into work.

For me, this is definitely the best of the NDV era.  The songwriting and playing on this album are really top-notch.  Some great compositions here.

I'm not really crazy about NDV's voice (compared with Neal's or Ted's), which is one reason that era is my least favorite.  But definitely, hats off to the band for this one.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: KevShmev on November 06, 2015, 07:12:33 PM
It's tough to compare the three singers.

NDV's voice isn't as warm and engaging as Neal's, but he has better range.

NDV doesn't have as good a range as Leonard, but his voice is warmer and more engaging.

Neal has the least best range of the three, but has the warmest and most engaging natural voice.

Figure that one out. :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 07, 2015, 05:31:59 AM
I think Ted has the best overall voice.

But for me, NM is the blueprint voice for SB, so that is my favorite - because those are my favorite SB albums.

Then the Ted albums.

Then the NDV albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The crowd, they love you today
Post by: jingle.boy on November 07, 2015, 07:00:54 AM
I think Ted has the best overall voice.

But for me, NM is the blueprint voice for SB, so that is my favorite - because those are my favorite SB albums.

Then the Ted albums.

Then the NDV albums.

I think I agree with all of this.  Hard to really compare Ted's 2 vs NDV's 4 albums though... especially when 2 of NDV's were mediocre regardless of his singing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: KevShmev on November 07, 2015, 09:05:33 AM
Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/63/Spock%27s_Beard_Brief_Nocturnes_and_Dreamless_Sleep_cover.jpg)

The departure of NDV led to two new members of the band: Ted Leonard, formerly of Enchant, joined as the new lead singer and secondary guitarist; and Jimmy Keegan, who had been the band's main touring drummer for years, joined as the full-time drummer.  This happened late in 2011, but it would be the spring of 2013 before the album would finally drop, their 11th, titled Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep.

I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive about this, similar to my reaction when Neal left the band, but once again, I was wrong, this time by even bigger margin. While Feel Euphoria was a pleasant surprise that I thought was really good, Brief Noctunes... floored me with how good it was. I was won over pretty quickly.

Not sure if the presence of Leonard was what brought it out, but there is more of a "rock out" vibe at times on this record than on most other Beard albums, and this is evident on the first tracks, "Hiding Out" and "I Know Your Secret," both of which are fantastic tunes. I kind of overlooked both at first, because of how much I liked certain other songs at first, but these won me over not long after.

"A Treasure Abandoned" is the song that grabbed me first; I loved the melodies, the classic proggy intro, and Leonard's vocals made me think, "Okay, they will be just fine."  Plus, his voice is different enough from the band's first two singers that instead of it sounding like they tried to pull a Journey and get a guy who sounds just like the previous guy, they found a guy who can sing really well, and the result is the band does sound a bit different. Granted, they are still prog rock at its center, but the vibe and feel is a bit different now, which I am fine with. Bands change, and I think those who get stuck on the fact that it's not the same old Beard need to get a grip and learn to love it or leave it. :P

Track 4, "Submerged," is a song brought to the band by Ted Leonard, and it's one of their catchiest ever. Heck, they even did a video for it! If I were gonna try to convert someone over to being a Beard fan, this is one of the first songs I would play. It's short enough to not lose their attention, and like I said, it's catchy as heck.

I am always pretty iffy on the songs featuring the Gentle Giant-esque multi-part harmonies, and "Afterthoughts," co-written by Neal Morse, is a big miss for me.  It brings back the quirkiness from the Neal era, but it's just a little too corny for my tastes. Pass.

"Something Very Strange" is a terrific song. I gravitate more towards the Sanctified Remix from the bonus track - it's shorter and more concise - but both versions have much to love. And this is a good example of a song they couldn't have done with Neal or NDV, since neither have the power or range to pull off this chorus as well as Leonard, who shows off his vocal chops here.

"Waiting for Me," the album closer, is another fine song. I don't love it as much as most seem to, but I still like it a ton. Alan Morse has a great solo in the middle, and the vocals are mostly good, although Leonard occasionally has this kind of awkward husky tone in his voice, which I notice a few times in this song, but it's not enough to take away from the song at all; it's just an observation. The outro is kind "A Guy Named Sid"-esque, but still a nice way to end the record.

The bonus disc is fantastic. Aside from the aforementioned alternate version of "Something Very Strange," it has one of the best songs from these sessions, "Down a Burning Road." How that song didn't make the regular disc is beyond me. "Postcards from Perdition" is a song that stands out quite a bit to me, too; great instrumental. "Wish I Were Here" and "The Man You're Afraid You Are" are both highly enjoyable as well.

Overall, a great record, and one I have gotten a ton of mileage out of. We Beard fans could breathe again, knowing the band was going to be okay, just like we did back in '03.  :coolio :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: Nick on November 07, 2015, 11:48:32 AM
Ted Leonard is also of Enchant, not formerly of.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: The Letter M on November 07, 2015, 11:53:24 AM
When the pre-orders for this came around, I jumped on it and was ready! There was no way I was going to miss this one. I was a bit apprehensive about the new line-up, but hearing Ted with them on the High Voltage album (released two years prior to BNADS) made me realize that the band were in good hands...or vocals.

Like many albums I listen to that include bonus tracks, I altered my personal playlist of the album to include the bonus tracks (except the Sanctified Remix of SVS):
1. Hiding Out
2. I Know Your Secret
3. Postcards From Perdition

4. A Treasure Abandoned
5. Submerged
6. Wish I Were Here

7. The man You're Afraid You Are
8. Afterthoughts
9. Down A Burning Road

10. Something Very Strange
11. Waiting For Me

It's just over 80 minutes, so I've been looking for 85-90 minute CDr's to burn the whole thing on to, but the way I laid it out, it would work perfectly as a double LP vinyl set!

The songs themselves are all very powerful, very SB over-all, with some refreshing moments that are unlike anything they had done before. Highlights for me include the opening "Hiding Out", which stands up there with songs like "Day For Night" and "On A Perfect Day" as being some of the best album openers the band has done, as well as the last two tracks "Something Very Strange" and "Waiting For Me", with the former being very different but amazing than standard Beard fare, and the latter being one of the best epics in the 10-12 minute range that they've done since the early Morse days!

The bonus tracks are all so good, and I wonder why they just didn't make it a double album, or just to shave some time off some of the songs to squeeze them all onto one CD, especially "Down A Burning Road" and "Postcards From Perdition". "Submerged" also makes a great would-be-single, and the third part of the Thoughts series, "Afterthoughts", features some great moments. I love the Thoughts songs, and while this doesn't top the first two, it's still pretty good to me! I kind of wish that when Nick was in the band, they had done one part, so that each era of SB would've had at least one part of the Thoughts series. Ah well. If there's ever a reunion show, I'd hope they play all 3 parts, and perhaps Neal's "Thoughts (Part 5)" as well!

Everything on this record is pretty good, about as good as their previous album, so they were riding on some great vibes. They've definitely hit a stride with great songwriting, and Ted's vocals definitely suit the band's music, as well as Jimmy's drumming, which feels a LOT like Nick for obvious reasons, but now that he's not covering Nick's parts, he's album to shine in his own way, and I can hear some differences between their styles, so I'm glad that he's able to play out the way he wants to.

I still spin this one a lot to this day as it features a lot of great songs, but with the new album this year, it's taken a bit of a back-seat, but I'll get there when we do.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: KevShmev on November 07, 2015, 12:18:57 PM
I still think X is slightly better than Brief Nocturnes... - nothing on the latter is as awesome as Jaws of Heaven or From the Darkness - but it is still pretty great overall.  It's a borderline top 5 Spock's album in my book.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: The Letter M on November 07, 2015, 12:28:38 PM
I still think X is slightly better than Brief Nocturnes... - nothing on the latter is as awesome as Jaws of Heaven or From the Darkness - but it is still pretty great overall.  It's a borderline top 5 Spock's album in my book.

I like both almost equally, but for different reasons, obviously, as they are different albums with different lead vocalists and drummers, but X is great for a band that reached it's peak, but BNADS is great for a "new" band!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: jingle.boy on November 07, 2015, 01:41:18 PM
I was kinda worried about this release.  I didn't know Enchant or Thought Chamber at all, so I didn't know anything about Ted's voice.  Was this gonna be a Gary Cherone-like third vocalist or ... well, name me a third lead vocalist for any successful band.  I can't think of one off the top of my head - so I was very concerned about the longevity of SB.  Boy, did we have NOTHING to worry about.  This is better than any NDV-era album (imo).  Hiding Out is a fantabulous opener, and Waiting For Me could be a top 5 SB song ... right up there with At The End Of The Day in my books - it even has a few moments that have the same kinda vibe.

Bonus disc is great as well, so we were really treated with a great album - despite the quirky Afterthoughts.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 07, 2015, 01:45:47 PM
This is better than any NDV-era album (imo).
Agreed. 

It's been a few months since I've listened to it, but I shall certainly do so again this week.  I absolutely love Submerged and A Treasure Abandoned, and Waiting For Me and Hiding Out are also fantastic.  Just a really consistent, high-energy album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: RoeDent on November 07, 2015, 01:54:43 PM
Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep is my No. 1 Spock's Beard album. I bought it about a month after it came out, as my 2nd SB album purchase (after Beware of Darkness). No point in listing my favourite songs, as I love all of them to bits. I Know Your Secret was the first song to grab me, with its inventive use of 9/4 time in the chorus (the words fit in to a standard 4/4 time, but the extra beat gives it extra progginess). Submerged is an arms-in-the-air anthem. I've claimed Afterthoughts as my theme song; the lyrics are so cool! (The Hatter tips his hat to me/I'm madder than he'll ever be). Something Very Strange has an incredible intro, with the robotic vocals and that long instrumental passage. (My version of the album has Afterthoughts segueing into SVS, to great effect.) And then Waiting for Me brings the album to an epic close with one of my favourite guitar solos by any guitarist.

More significantly, BNADS introduced me to the majestic, soulful voice of Ted Leonard. I'd never heard of him, nor his first band Enchant before this. He's up there with Steven Wilson and James LaBrie as one of my favourite voices in rock.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: gptyk on November 07, 2015, 11:41:11 PM
Wow. "Brief Nocturnes..." was an amazing recovery after NDV went and joined the circus.  (and/or Big Big Train, but that's a different subject)

Because of this thread, I've been listening to BNaDS solid for a few weeks. It's just fantastic. "Something Very Strange" is the absolute standout for me.

What I absolutely love about Spock's is the pop 'hook' with the prog backing. And that's what "Something" delivers... It takes some time, but then we get the whole Ted-has-a-freaking-great-range thing and something is definitely strange and coming our way.  I'm hooked, just reel me in. That's what made "The Light" great. Pop 'hook' in a prog tune. (DT does this too - think of the great DT songs and they're not fiddly metal stuff, it's a great hook that makes the song- like 'Surrounded') To me, the 'singalongability' makes a great tune. And so much prog isn't sing-along. Any of y'all sing along to a IQ song? Nope. Didn't think so. But if you're driving along in your car and  SB is playing "June" I absolutely guaranty somebody is belting out "And the crowd kept on singin' Waste Away" at the top of their lungs. That's what role the Beard fills. A great hook, super tasty progness behind it.

There is no doubt that the members of SB are absolutely top of the line musicians.  12 records in and they are still amazing me with what they put out.

I''ll even be the bad guy and foreshadow that "Bennett Built a Time Machine"  is a treat beyond belief :)

Sure, it's easy/obvious to compare the Neal era to the NDV era to whatever. But even when the album was less than optimal it was still really freakin good. Ask yoself, you could listen to "Midnight Madness" by Night Ranger or "Feel Uphoria" by the Beard. Yup. The beard is pretty freakin good even when they're not as good as they were/will be.

"Brief Nocturnes..." is a must-have for anybody that has ever understood what "prog" means. It's that good. (Oh, the next one is too - what the hell, just get every freakin SB studio albums you can.......)


Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: Mladen on November 08, 2015, 03:53:06 AM
Fantastic album, I loved it instantly which is very weird. I was just stunned that it was as brilliant as X. A Treasure abandoned, Afterthoughts, Submerged and Something very strange are some of their very best tunes.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: KevShmev on November 08, 2015, 07:38:20 AM
Good to see pretty much all ultra positive comments regarding this record. :tup :tup

gptyk, regarding the catchy hooks, I could not agree more.  Neal Morse is an expert at writing catchy pop hooks and putting them in prog tunes, and it is a talent the band has retained despite his departure from the band.  Something Very Strange definitely has a catchy as heck chorus. :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. I'm doing fine, making my way
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 09, 2015, 02:35:25 AM
New singer (again) and kinda new drummer, I was a little bit worried that they would loose (again) some of the quality they had finally established with X. Man was I wrong, this is an absolutely fabulous record, definite top three SB for me and sometimes giving X a hard time for second place.

Ted's voice is great and his seemingly effortless signing in higher register is awesome and fits songs like Something Very Strange so well. Almost every song is great, even Afterthoughts with it's quirky and funky vibe. That includes the bonus disc which makes this for me more like a double album.

The addition of Ted leads to a different sound that is still reminiscent of Spock's Beard and helps them not to sound samey or stale.

Highlights for me are Submerged and Something Very Strange. I like the longer version better, but the sanctified remix has some great groovy bass lines, which you don't hear that clearly in the long version. Someday I try and make a mix of both versions.

So this is another exciting chapter and with the next record they prove that this was not a one off.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: KevShmev on November 14, 2015, 04:52:44 PM
The Oblivion Particle

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Spocksbeard_theoblivionparticle_cover.jpg)

The band released their 12th album just three months ago, titled The Oblivion Particle.  It's hard for me to give as detailed review of it, compared to the first 11, because I am still digesting it.  I like it quite a bit, but it seems similar to Octane in that it has a couple of songs that stand out as being really good, with the rest being all enjoyable.  In other words, nothing skip-worthy, but nothing really great either.  My favorites at this point in time are "Disappear," "The Center Line" and "Bennett Built a Time Machine," the last of which features drummer Jimmy Keegan on lead vocals.  I have noticed that a couple of songs on this I enjoy when I listen to them, but take the CD away from me and I cannot recall anything from it.  Nothing from "Tides of Time" sticks in my head ever, and while "Hell's Not Enough" sounds like it has some really nice melodies, none of them stick with me.  I find the chorus from "To Be Free Again" to be very awkward-sounding.  Regarding Ted Leonard's vocals, the Steve Walsh influence on his voice is far more evident on this record than it was on Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep; there are moments on this where he sounds like he is channeling 70s-era Steve Walsh, although with all due respect to Leonard, he cannot touch Steve Walsh's prime...but then again, few can. 

Overall, despite some critiques there, I do like this CD a lot.  Like I said, I am still digesting it.  I don't see it ever being a favorite, but every album can't be hit out of the park, and it's still a worthy addition to the catalogue. :coolio
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: The Letter M on November 14, 2015, 05:53:28 PM
After the tremendous "debut" with the current line-up, I was worried (yet again) that the band would not be able to come close to that level of greatness that X and BNADS reached.

My worries weren't unwarranted, though, because while I've come to really like this one, it's taken awhile, more than the last few albums really. There's a LOT of new-sounding things on here, some things that are experimental for the beard, or at least, different (for them).

Like Kev, I also really enjoy "The Center Line" and "Bennett Built A Time Machine", as well as the classic-SB-sounding opener "Tides Of Time", with some amazing drumming after the middle section (a section that was posted of Jimmy recording his part WAY back earlier in the year). "Minion" unfortunately conjures up the imagery of little yellow things (which makes me wish they had re-titled the song), but it's grown on me a lot since the album's release.

"Hell's Not Enough" is pretty good, with it's persistent synth melody that sounds like it plays constantly through the song, but "Get Out While You Can" has a much memorable chorus. The album's two longest tracks, "A Better Way To Fly" and "To Be Free Again" are two of my favorites as well, but they're quite a bit different than other SB songs of their length. The former has some great playing and melodies, with a wonderfully executed middle section, while the latter has some expert playing from Alan and some soaring vocals.

The closing "Disappear" is SB-does-Kansas, which helps having Kansas' violinist on board for the track, but Ryo's synth sounds are pretty much straight from any 70's Kansas song. First time I heard this track, I swore there were echoes of "Magnum Opus" in there, which gives the song a sort of nostalgic feel, quite appropriately for the song itself.

Over-all, I find myself enjoying this one a lot, but I spin it just as much as the previous two. This three-album run so far has been such a treat, and I enjoy what the band have been writing in the last 5 years so I hope that they keep up this level of quality writing and performance. SB13 might be a couple years away, but I already look forward to it.

On the live-side, I really Really REALLY hope there's a live album from this tour mostly because there wasn't a full live release on the tour for BNADS (the only thing we got was Live At Sea, which features only 5 or 6 songs and only half are were new at the time). Heck, give us a live compilation of new songs from the last tour and the current one, with some classics that hadn't played in awhile (like "The Water"!!!).

I'm hopeful for the future of this band, especially with the new compilation coming out this month with the new epic!!! Speaking of the compilation, will we be discussing it here as part of the discography thread? I'm super excited for this one and the sample Radiant posted last week sounds delightful. Hearing Neal, Ted and Nick sing on one track is going to be great!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: KevShmev on November 14, 2015, 11:45:13 PM
Yes, discussion of the greatest hits, the new song (for those who hear it right away, which may not be me :lol), and general discussion about the band's overall history will be my wrap-up.

In the meantime, back to the new album...;)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: Mladen on November 15, 2015, 04:09:28 AM
This album was a disappointment initially.

Then it turned out to be satisfying enough.

Then it became really, really good.

I loved Hell's not enough from the start. A Better way to fly was next, such a crazy song, very different for SB. Then Minion grew on me with its rather commercial appeal. It took a while for Tides of time and Disappear (beautiful song) to click, but now I adore those two as well.

Ted is fantastic on this album, his unique voice gives character to the songs and keeps SB from being just another act of 2010-resurrection era of prog.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: Mosh on November 15, 2015, 09:19:24 PM
I haven't spent much time with the album, just 3 listens. I think the Octane comparison is accurate, although while Octane didn't come with very high expectations, this album did. X and Brief Nocturnes were huge steps for the band, showing they could make great albums again after Neal left. Oblivion Particle feels like it's going back to the Octane/self titled level of quality. Not bad necessarily, just kinda average. I have a hard time wanting to go back to that. It's also one of their longer albums isn't it? Definitely feels longer than BNADS. Of course I don't expect every album to be a winner, but this one is a bit of a disappointment.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 16, 2015, 02:51:24 AM
For me this is another great record. It took a lot longer to sink in, especially compared to BNADS and I'm not yet ready to really rank it in the whole catalogue. But for now it would probably be top five material.

I get a really strong Genesis vibe from the opener Tides Of Time and Bennett Build A Time Machine, the former more of the Gabriel era and the latter could be out of the Duke sessions. Hell's Not Enough is another highlight for me and reminds me in a good way of Submerged from the previous record. The acapella section from Better Way To Fly is really good, as is the whole song.

All the songs add some new things to the beard catalogue, while keeping it recognizably beardish. The last three records are of very consistent high quality and I hope they can keep this level up.

And for me V is the best Neal fronted record, X is the best Nick fronted record, so somewhere down the line they have to release a record called XV and it will be the best Ted fronted record.  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: jingle.boy on November 16, 2015, 06:45:29 AM
I'm somewhere between Mladen and Mosh.  Only spun it 3-4 times, but it gets better with every listen.  Some good, some forgettable (at the moment).  Tides is a very good opener; Bennett has some quirky lyrics (still not sure if I dislike them, or merely tolerate them), but it's catchy none-the-less; I'm not a fan of the chorus in Get Out; The Center Line is a great tune.  It's somewhat been lost in the mix of some really great releases over the last couple of months, but I'll force myself to keep going back to it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 16, 2015, 07:17:29 AM
My initial reaction was very, very meh. In fact after a couple of listens I was ready to shelf it and (probably) never to return to it again. I just had that one more listen and finally something clicked. Since then it is steadily growing on me. So this is certainly not a record for everyone to like, but I would say give it a chance, it may be worth it.

And funny that everyone seems to like The Center Line, it's not a bad song but for me it's one of the less good on the record.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: Mladen on November 16, 2015, 08:00:34 AM
The Center line is okay, there's something awkward about the chorus that prevents it from being great. The tracks I like the least are Bennett and Get out, very average tunes with very few memorable bits.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 16, 2015, 08:27:00 AM
I think this is a really good album.  Certainly different from (and more dense than) the previous one, there is a lot to like here.  But it is definitely not as accessible.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Feel the sun forever shine
Post by: jingle.boy on November 16, 2015, 09:03:46 AM
I think this is a really good album.  Certainly different from (and more dense than) the previous one, there is a lot to like here.  But it is definitely not as accessible.

Agreed.  Excellently put.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on November 21, 2015, 05:22:39 PM
Yesterday, the band released their first best of, titled The First Twenty Years, featuring 14 classic Beard tunes plus a new song, "Falling for Forever," featuring all seven members who have been in the band (the current band plus Neal and NDV), written by Neal Morse.  I haven't heard the song yet, as I am not buying a compilation for one new song, since I already have every other song already, but I am sure I will hear it eventually.  Anyone hear it yet?

As a recap, I will say that this thread was fun to do, and reminded me that the Beard have been one of my favorite and most listened to bands of the last 15 years (since getting into the them in 2000).  Thanks to everyone who read and/or participated. :coolio :hat
 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mladen on November 22, 2015, 03:52:09 AM
I also haven't heard the new song but I'll check it out at some point. Thanks for doing the thread, Kev. It was really cool to look back.  :tup

Back when I became a fan, SB was still in the shadow of the Neal era stuff, having only released three albums out of which only one was really good. Six years later, the band put out three more albums, two fantastic ones and another really good one. Nowadays, the Neal era is just a segment of an overall strong discography.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on November 22, 2015, 07:15:59 AM
Thanks for the thread, KevShmev.  I learned a few things, and any excuse to listen to Spock's Beard is good with me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Nihil-Morari on November 22, 2015, 07:56:01 AM
Thanks! Though I lagged behind on the newer albums, I'm really inclined to check out X specifically, and the newest too. But the old stuff was cool to discuss  :D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on November 22, 2015, 11:38:26 AM
Oops. Forgot to post about The Oblivion Particle. If I may...

Tides of Time is a grower. I wasn't struck on it at all when it first came out. Even now, having gotten used to it a bit more, I'd say it's my least favourite on the album.

Minion had a better response from me as a pre-album release. But since hearing the other songs, it's dropped in my ranking.

Hell's Not Enough. More proof of what a fine vocalist Ted Leonard is. Epic drum solo in the middle from Jimmy Keegan.

Bennett Built a Time Machine. What a vocal debut from Keegan here! Catchiest song of the year, without question.

Get Out While You Can. With its similar length, I thought this would be this album's Submerged. Sadly not. Good enough song, but not their best.

A Better Way to Fly. Another grower, which I'm only really starting to appreciate now.

The Center Line. My favourite song on the album. Wonderful build-up at the beginning and a great chorus!

To Be Free Again. The album's 'epic'. Seamless transition from 4/4 to 6/8 for the chorus. My next-favourite after TCL.

Disappear. I thought this would be like DT's Beneath the Surface, a 'comedown' after the heights of the epic, but this is more substantial than that. Fast virtuoso bit in the middle, and a soaring near-conclusion.

That's it...so far. Hopefully there's more to come from one of the true greats of modern progressive music. Thanks KevShmev for hosting this thread. I hope to purchase the other four SB albums (DfN, FE, Octane, SB9) before too long, to complete my collection.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on November 22, 2015, 11:46:54 AM
I forgot to mention this before, but Tides of Time being the lone selection from the new album on the Twenty Years compilation seems bizarre, almost like, "Well, the new album is so new that we don't know what songs the fans like most or whatever, so we'll just throw track 1 on there."

I also think, given how longer song/epic-heavy the compilation already is, instead of putting Waiting for Me from the last album, they should have put Submerged (one of their catchier shorter songs ever) and Something Very Strange.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on November 27, 2015, 05:47:24 PM
Got the new compilation in the mail earlier tonight, popped the 20 minute song in my car and drove around as I listened to it, LOUDLY, and jammed out the whole time. First impressions - LOVE it, as much as I would for any Neal-penned epic. It's quite different, though, from anything Neal has written since he quit SB, as it's not very lyrical, mostly instrumental and VERY virtuosic in terms of playing, especially the guitars and drums (odd, since the band was always Keys-heavy back in the day, but good to hear everyone play out well). The battling drums in the middle are quite amazing, and as a drummer, I was grinning ear-to-ear the whole time listening to Nick and Jimmy trade off their insanely complex fills and licks. Al shines a lot with his various guitar solos and spotlights throughout the piece as well. Vocally speaking, Ted is REALLY good on the choruses, and his vocals soar as they have been, while Neal's vocals on the verses are typical Neal - good, soulful vox - and Nick's part was definitely written with Nick in mind as he cranks out the rock vox!

Over-all, the new epic is a great landmark for the band's first 20 years together, and in 20 years hence, it'll be something to revisit with awe and amazement, looking back at a band that came this far and came together to play on a piece that represents the best of them, individually and together.

As for the DVD, I am watching it right now, as I type this! The new interviews with the band members are nice insights, while the live clips (so far, "Beware Of Darkness" and "Walking On The Wind") are pretty good! It reminds me that I really need to watch the full Progfest '97 show that I've owned (from Inner Circle) for quite some time now, but I just never got around to watching it. After watching this DVD, I'll probably listen to the new song on repeat through the whole weekend, this time with headphones on!!!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: jingle.boy on November 30, 2015, 07:38:08 AM
I got the new track from iTunes as a standalone song - $1.29 CAD.  Haven't spun it yet, but will be doing so shortly.  Quite happy to have got it without having to shell out for the whole compilation.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on November 30, 2015, 10:16:06 AM
I got the new track from iTunes as a standalone song - $1.29 CAD.  Haven't spun it yet, but will be doing so shortly.  Quite happy to have got it without having to shell out for the whole compilation.

 :tup Nice! I was hoping there'd be an option out there like that for the non-hardcore fans. But for those who are hardcore like me, having the physical version was a must! The 4 post-cards of album covers that came with it are pretty nice, and the DVD was a fantastic watch as well, with some great footage of the Making of TKOS and other bits from the band's past, and the new band member interviews were good as well. Over-all, the whole package was really well done.

I haven't had a chance to listen to the new remastered (older) tracks yet, let alone A/B them with the album versions that I've come to know and love, but I'm sure they sound just as great as the new song does.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: jingle.boy on November 30, 2015, 11:08:38 AM
It's clearly a lot to digest on one listen, but it was fascinating and scintillating to hear all three vocalists on a single track.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on November 30, 2015, 01:23:05 PM
It's clearly a lot to digest on one listen, but it was fascinating and scintillating to hear all three vocalists on a single track.

Indeed, it is quite a lot to digest after one listen, and since I got it on Friday, I've listened to it a few more times, once again in my car, and a couple times with headphones, and BOY is it still a treat.

I put it at the end of a playlist with several other B-Sides, non-album tracks, covers, and alternate versions of other SB songs:
Iron Man (from TOP)
Something Very Strange (Sanctified Remix) (from BNADS)
Their Names Escape Me (Nameless Version) (from X-Tour Live)
South Side Of The Sky (from Snow Limited Edition)
The Truth (from All On A Sunday single)
All On A Sunday (2001) (from All On A Sunday single)
Hurt (from DFN European Special Edition)
Stratus (from From The Vaults)
Into Fire (from From The Vaults)
Waste Away (Alternate Mix) (from From The Vaults)
Falling For Forever (from The First Twenty Years)

It comes to about 74 minutes, which is great for an album of non-album tracks. I may have to burn this to CD-r for the car.

As for the epic itself, after hearing it a few times, I've come to enjoy it a lot, but I kind of wish there were some extravagant vocal parts that SB is known for, some multi-part harmonies (especially with Neal, Nick, AND Ted, as well as Dave and Al in the mix, and possibly Jimmy - could you imagine, 6 vocal harmonies?!). Instrumentally, this is one of the strongest songs from the band, lots of musical muscles being flexed in here. Aside from that, the vocals that ARE in here are really good, especially Ted. Oddly enough, Neal is my least favorite vocalist on this song, though I think he got stuck with the verses because he wanted the other two to shine a bit more with their own, bigger parts.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kaos2900 on December 02, 2015, 01:24:36 PM
So I went to itunes for the first time in years to try and download the new track. For some reason when I click on the album in the itunes store it says the store is not available and to try later. I've tried twice over two days and am still having issues. The interesting thing is that I have no problems looking at other albums. Anyone else having this issue?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 02, 2015, 07:18:54 PM
I am having the exact same issue.  It says it is a partial album and I cannot access it to buy that new song.  Pretty infuriating.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: jingle.boy on December 02, 2015, 07:50:32 PM
It said (and still lists) the whole album as "partial album", but I was able to buy Falling For Forever as a standalone last week.  Every other song is 'buyable' individually as well.  Probably because iTunes (at least in Canada) is showing the release date as Dec 11th.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kaos2900 on December 04, 2015, 06:54:09 AM
Went and tried again last night and the whole album has been removed from the store.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: jingle.boy on December 04, 2015, 07:00:43 AM
Wow... that honks.  I see it on the CAD store, they've updated it with a Nov 21 release date, and the album is purchasable now - but, being a >10 minute song, Falling For Forever is only available as album only.  Glad I got it when I could.  Guess iTunes messed up with how they initially posted it.

After searching "Spock's Beard", I had to scroll through the list of albums.  I don't know what order they sort them in, but it was the second last one listed.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 04, 2015, 08:10:58 PM
I find this whole thing to be so disappointing.  I hate to say it, but this will end up being a case where I get the song from a friend who can always find any song online for free.  I am ready to give the band money for the song, but they apparently don't want it (and I am not buying the whole compilation for one freaking song).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kaos2900 on December 05, 2015, 08:48:38 PM
Ditto.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on December 07, 2015, 08:04:55 AM
Haven't heard the new song and it's not available as an mp3 on Amazon, and I'm definitely not touching iTunes, and the whole album in physical form is 23 euros. Sorry guys (or record company?), but I'm not buying that for just one song.

But back to topic: Thanks Kev for running this thread, it was a lot of fun and Spock's Beard to this day remains one of my favorite bands and still releases quality stuff, I hope they keep it up a few more years.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on December 07, 2015, 09:19:35 AM
Looks like this has become the new SB band thread.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: seasonsinthesky on December 07, 2015, 01:04:32 PM
Looks like this has become the new SB band thread.

But fittingly for the discography thread: preorders for The Kindness of Strangers and Snow LPs just went up at Burning Shed! Snow is a beefy 3xLP, and they both come with CDs too.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 07, 2015, 02:27:52 PM
Maybe I'm just the SB super-fan around here, and I don't mind paying for music if it helps SB and/or Neal, but paying 20-odd dollars for this compilation didn't feel like a rip-off. The Digipak from Inside Out is well made, came with 4 nicely printed postcards on nice cardstock paper with artwork from V, FE, Octane, and the new compilation, and the DVD was a nice collection of live video, interviews, and home-videos from Neal and company. Between all that AND the new song, as well as the remastered old songs, it felt like a much better compilation than some bands will put out, which are typically record label-pushed releases that don't usually offer anything new. This didn't feel like a cheap cash-grab to me, but a sincere attempt as giving something to fans, old and new, to celebrate the band's twentieth anniversary.

RE: The new vinyls! I saw the email from Burning Shed this morning about them, and I'm definitely interested in getting them, even though I don't have the vinyl for the last three albums, The Light or V yet... I just haven't had the money for them when they came out, and I'm sure some of those are going for a LOT on second-hand markets. Definitely have to get Snow this time though as it's my favorite. That whopping 3-LP though!! Cannot wait to see what it'll look like!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 07, 2015, 05:51:03 PM

But back to topic: Thanks Kev for running this thread, it was a lot of fun and Spock's Beard to this day remains one of my favorite bands and still releases quality stuff, I hope they keep it up a few more years.

Thanks, it was fun!  :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Nihil-Morari on December 15, 2015, 02:11:43 PM
Just saw the 20 Years set in a store. Had to buy it. First time listening to the new epic, I really like how it doesn't sound like Neal Morse epic. Love the vocals!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: ronnibran on December 15, 2015, 04:57:35 PM
Dang it. Looked at this thread and got half way down the page and immediately started downloading I-tunes thinking I could get new song.  Then kept reading while downloading to find out that the new song was only up for a very short time and removed.  Ah well, not going to lose sleep over it!!!

Heck, charge more for the song based on song length like it was an EP.  I definitely don't need to re-buy all of the other songs but would be willing to pay more than the single song price.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 15, 2015, 05:45:14 PM
To fans here who just want the new song - I understand not wanting to "re-buy" songs you already own, but do be aware they ARE remastered by Rich Mouser, the guy who's done nearly ever SB album, every Neal album, and then some!

In addition to that, there's a sweet documentary put together by Randy George (who has gotten the knack of really making them look and sound good!). I suppose that's not enough for you guys to put out for the compilation??

I'm just thankful for the new song AND the documentary, two things that most compilations by bands don't even offer, let alone remixes/remasters of older material (and not just plucking them from their respective albums).

I guess I am just in the minority of music lovers that will appreciate whatever we get from a favorite band, and be willing to buy said products in order to support them. Then again, I know a lot of you guys here WANT to do that, but just want the new song by itself, but complaining about it HERE won't help any. Go to the band's FB Forum, where Sonya, Jimmy, and occasionally Dave all post and reply to threads. Let them know you just want the new song, and are willing to buy it directly from the band. Suggest a bandcamp account for them to sell the new song by itself for $1.99 (or more), whatever you're willing to pay! I'm sure some fans would pay even $5.00 for the new song, especially if the money went right into the band's pockets.

Maybe they'll sell the song on the premise that they need to fund their next album, which, according to Jimmy, songs for SB13 are already brewing, so perhaps we may see a new album by the end of next year, or early 2017?!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 15, 2015, 05:52:30 PM
Eh, the Beard songs all sound good already anyway, so them being remastered has no effect on me, and I find that documentaries end up being something I watch once and then never again, with rare exceptions.

We shouldn't have to beg and plead for the band to find a way for us to buy a new song.  In this day and age, it shouldn't be this difficult.  Considering this is a niche band with nothing but hardcore fans, meaning there are probably almost no casual fans who would buy the compilation to get the songs they don't already have, I still think this was a poor decision.  It was basically saying, "Here, fans, shell out 20 bucks for one new song."

I see that iTunes now has the compilation for $11.99, so we could buy it for the new song, but 12 bucks for one song?  No thanks.  Like I said before, I am sure I will get it somehow, someway, sooner rather than later.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: seasonsinthesky on December 15, 2015, 07:13:33 PM
Unfortunately, burying new material in compilations has been a successful sales tactic for a long while now. And it still works – certainly the recent Steven Wilson vinyl-only pop song compilation is a fitting example. This is, quite likely, the only way to sell the entire compilation to anyone except the hardcorest and newest fans.

With that said, I wouldn't be surprised if they offer the song alone in a couple of months after the compilation has its first sales run in the holiday season. Bolster the sales after everyone's belt tightens in January.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 15, 2015, 07:45:23 PM
Here's an idea- buy the compilation, rip the album for yourself, then give it to a friend for a Christmas gift! Or give it first, then ask if you could copy it. Either way, you could get the new song AND introduce SB to someone new!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 15, 2015, 08:32:53 PM
Unfortunately, burying new material in compilations has been a successful sales tactic for a long while now. And it still works – certainly the recent Steven Wilson vinyl-only pop song compilation is a fitting example. This is, quite likely, the only way to sell the entire compilation to anyone except the hardcorest and newest fans.


 ??? That SW compilation doesn't have any new songs.

I get that it is a successful sales tactic, but that was in the past when buyers had to buy whole albums or nothing; it was long before we could buy individual songs on amazon or iTunes.  It's a tired sales tactic that shouldn't be done anymore, given the way the industry works now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: seasonsinthesky on December 16, 2015, 08:18:04 PM
Unfortunately, burying new material in compilations has been a successful sales tactic for a long while now. And it still works – certainly the recent Steven Wilson vinyl-only pop song compilation is a fitting example. This is, quite likely, the only way to sell the entire compilation to anyone except the hardcorest and newest fans.


 ??? That SW compilation doesn't have any new songs.

I get that it is a successful sales tactic, but that was in the past when buyers had to buy whole albums or nothing; it was long before we could buy individual songs on amazon or iTunes.  It's a tired sales tactic that shouldn't be done anymore, given the way the industry works now.

Not new songs, new recordings/mixes. Seems to be the same league to SW, since he's doing it yet again on the new EP with "Don't Hate Me."

And you do have to buy the whole compilation – or, rather, you do now that they realized their mistake, apparently. :p

The actual mechanic of having to buy the whole thing for a new song still works quite well in the prog sphere, where labels like Inside Out still make a decent profit on physical product. Seems they think a lot of progheads just need any excuse to hit the Buy button.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kaos2900 on December 17, 2015, 06:26:41 AM
I just think the band would make an even bigger profit if the released the song on it's own and charged $5 for it. I wouldn't mind paying $5 for a 20 minute song. I refuse to pay for an entire album of songs that I already own.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kirksnosehair on December 17, 2015, 08:08:22 AM
For what it's worth to anyone who's wondering, I bought the "First Twenty Years" thingy and the old songs definitely have been tweaked in terms of their sonic impact.  I always thought that "The Light" sounded pretty dull and flat on the original album. (killer track, though!).  In fact, a friend of mine who has done a lot of the artwork for Neal Morse's stuff and the early Spock's Beard days gave me a copy of the live album "The Beard is Out There" and that is a better-sounding version than the original studio version - and it's live!  :lol


So, yeah, I definitely noticed that "The Light" sounds bigger, warmer and not so demo-ish sounding like the original is.  The whole album sounds great.  The new song is cool I haven't had a lot of time to listen to it.  Only heard it once so far, but it sounded pretty good.


I get why a band like Spock's Beard would do a compilation like this.  They've got a lot of albums over a long and somewhat legendary journey.  Someone who hasn't followed them for all these years could hear "The Light" followed by "On a Perfect Day" followed by "Postcards From Perdition" and they might not even realize they were all from the same band.


A disc like this gives a new fan the chance to hear some of the best classics (Neal's Beard) and mid-era (Nick's Beard) stuff along with their recent output with their current configuration (Ted's Beard)


I remember getting into Aerosmith that way.  I bought their "Greatest Hits" album (around 1980 or so) then started buying their back catalog, starting with the albums that had my favorite songs on the Greatest Hits record.


I've blown twice this much money on dumber stuff, so I figured what the hell.


Good disc, I'd buy it again
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kirksnosehair on December 17, 2015, 08:30:10 AM
I just think the band would make an even bigger profit if the released the song on it's own and charged $5 for it. I wouldn't mind paying $5 for a 20 minute song. I refuse to pay for an entire album of songs that I already own.


I get where you're coming from, but I think you're probably the exception and not the rule. Would they really make more money just selling the single song for $5.00?   I'm sure they'd sell a few of the $5.00 digital downloads of the song, but that's not what they recorded the track for.  It was recorded specifically as a teaser to entice existing fans to buy.  Keep in mind that they'd have to sell 5 digital downloads to equal the revenue generated by the sale of 1 unit of this new collection.  The numbers just don't  work and again, they didn't record the song to sell it individually.  Welcome to the music business circa 2015. 


You're not refusing to pay for only an entire album of songs you already own.  You're refusing to pay for the remastered collection of existing Spock's Beard songs, the new 20+ minute epic featuring all three of the band's lead vocalists, and the DVD with rare footage from Progfest '97 and the recording sessions for "The Kindness of Strangers" album.  $25 is a little steep, I'll agree with you there. 


But I think it's perfectly fine that they put this song on a compilation and that's how you get it: by purchasing the compilation. They're betting that a sizeable portion of their fans will buy the compilation to get the new song and/or the rare footage. (I did)  The new song was written and produced precisely for that purpose. It's a tool to lure existing fans into buying the compilation.  In the age of torrents this is how music business is done now. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 17, 2015, 08:44:19 PM
I think I'd be more swayed if I saw more positive feedback about the new song, but most of the comments I have seen say it is good, but almost as an afterthought, making me think it is a "by the numbers" Neal Morse epic.  Granted, I usually lap those up with a spoon :lol, but I guess I was hoping for reviews of it that were a bit more...glowing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 17, 2015, 10:03:58 PM
I think I'd be more swayed if I saw more positive feedback about the new song, but most of the comments I have seen say it is good, but almost as an afterthought, making me think it is a "by the numbers" Neal Morse epic.  Granted, I usually lap those up with a spoon :lol, but I guess I was hoping for reviews of it that were a bit more...glowing.

Not trying to sway YOU personally, but my thoughts on the song, as I recall when I first heard it, was that I was blown away. It was definitely Neal, but not entirely by the numbers. The song opens with the usual instrumental overture, but the drumming by Nick in this part, as well as the keyboard and guitar parts, are definitely something fresh-sounding from Neal AND the Beard. The first few minutes definitely wows me with every listen.

When the vocals come, Neal handles the first part's verses expertly, but Ted's chorus parts definitely shine brightly, and he's got some soaring melodies that really stand out. The chorus just pops into my head every now and then, even when I haven't herd the song in a day or two. Nick's vocal section in the next part really really rocks, and it feels and sounds SO natural with the rest of the band, it almost felt as if he had never left and was "just away" for two albums. It was kind of surreal, but amazing to hear him sing with the band again.

The next part with the dueling drums is a highlight, especially if you're a fan of drums, drum solos/duets/battles, or a fan of Jimmy and/or Nick and their drumming. The split audio for their parts (I believe it is Nick on the left, Jimmy on the right) makes it easy to pick out their parts, and they play some sick fills in their solos. Jimmy went into further detail on the recording of the drums for the WHOLE song on Facebook, whcih was awfully nice of him to share!

The closing reprise of the song is typical, but handled VERY expertly as Ted's soaring and soulful vocals return, giving us an epic vocal send-off into some great guitar soloing from Al. The very end of the song is also kind of surreal, a very blissfully performed ending for an epic. It's not entirely bombastic as you'd might expect a Neal epic to be, but it fits for Spock's Beard, of ANY era and line-up.

Over-all, this epic is definitely SB, but still quite fresh-sounding. We don't get the usual Neal/SB-isms that you'd expect, like a Latin section, or layered vocal trade-offs a la Gentle Giant, or long, grandiose piano excursions, but what we DO get is some expert playing from the drummers, Al, and some tasteful keyboards, all balanced well, with some gret vocals from ALL THREE vocalists.

I say, if you get the chance to listen to it, and are impressed enough by it, buy the compilation. It'll be worth owning, and if you're a huge fan of the band, it's nice to just have as a capstone to the band's first 20 years of their career. I enjoy seeing it on my shelf with all of the other SB releases, and knowing I own the song, physically, makes me feel great. I've no regrets buying the compilation, and I hope others don't either. I'm just thankful that Neal even thought to write new music for it, because otherwise, I'm sure they would've just released it was it was without it!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 18, 2015, 09:05:07 PM
To take this is another direction, I have seen it said before, but I am not sure why a "Latin section" is considered a Neal trademark.  There aren't that many sections like that in his songs.  He has a million epics and the only ones I can think of off hand that have a prominent section with a section like that are The Light, The Separated Man and The Conflict.  And when Neal busts out the acoustic, whether it be flamenco-style or not, it's almost always awesome, so I say, bring them on. :hat
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 18, 2015, 09:45:21 PM
To take this is another direction, I have seen it said before, but I am not sure why a "Latin section" is considered a Neal trademark.  There aren't that many sections like that in his songs.  He has a million epics and the only ones I can think of off hand that have a prominent section with a section like that are The Light, The Separated Man and The Conflict.  And when Neal busts out the acoustic, whether it be flamenco-style or not, it's almost always awesome, so I say, bring them on. :hat

There's also "A Whole 'Nother Trip". I think since Sola Scriptura, he hasn't really done those types of musical movements and sections, but up to that point, it was kind of a thing for him on every other album, or at least it felt like it. But because he hasn't really done that in nearly a decade now, it's easy to forget about them. I do agree, though, that those acoustic/flamenco guitar sections are pretty good! :tup

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on December 19, 2015, 01:53:24 AM
At the End of the Day (from V) has a Latin section on it too.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 19, 2015, 07:19:05 AM
I forgot about the one in A Whole Nother Trip, but I think of The Man Who Would Be King as more of a song from a suite rather than a smaller piece of a single song.

I wouldn't really call that short section in At the End of the Day a Latin section, especially since his playing there is strumming, not really Flamenco-style picking.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kirksnosehair on December 21, 2015, 12:49:23 PM
I think I'd be more swayed if I saw more positive feedback about the new song, but most of the comments I have seen say it is good, but almost as an afterthought, making me think it is a "by the numbers" Neal Morse epic.  Granted, I usually lap those up with a spoon :lol , but I guess I was hoping for reviews of it that were a bit more...glowing.


It's a nice song and there are some pretty cool parts.  I really like how they mingled all three vocalists together and it sounds pretty nice, especially Ryo's patches, I love his patch choices.  Dave's bass has a meatier sound on this (like a lot of the Ted era stuff), but it sounds like they either switched bases in the middle of the song, which is entirely possible or it's just the editing but I heard passages that sounded very bright and Rickenbacker-ish sounding.


Overall I'd say there is a pretty decent value here, if not a bit overpriced, but I don't mind.    Not essential for anyone other than completist nerds with disposable income  :P
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kirksnosehair on December 21, 2015, 12:51:56 PM
Neal really loves to throw those Flamenco passages in there, doesn't he?  :lol   


That might be a requirement for any Neal Morse song longer than 10 minutes, which is what, 98% of his catalog?  :P
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on December 21, 2015, 02:28:36 PM
Ha ha, I agree.  Neal and the Flamenco is like Jordan and his circus tunes.  Yeah, it's clever shit, but really dude? :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 21, 2015, 05:53:13 PM
Eh, I don't see the problem.  That's like telling John Petrucci never to shred.  It's one of Neal Morse's greatest strengths as a player, so why wouldn't he do it? ???
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mosh on December 23, 2015, 08:59:46 PM
I still don't understand the purpose of this compilation. There's no way you can convince me that this is meant to introduce fans to the band. Total cash grab.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 23, 2015, 11:24:41 PM
I still don't understand the purpose of this compilation. There's no way you can convince me that this is meant to introduce fans to the band. Total cash grab.

This can't possibly be any more of a cash-grab than Steven Wilson's latest compilation, which was a limited-released, vinyl-only collection of singles, which he released to be aimed at obtaining new fans. Way to single out your target demographic, Mr. Wilson.

At least this new compilation from SB covers the band's whole career, includes some great video footage of the band in their formative years, as well as new interviews with all 7 band members. Getting this as a present for friends to introduce them to the band that existing fans already know and love is a GREAT way to spread the Beard around, with some great selections from each album, all remastered by Rich Mouser.

More over, it's just a celebration of the band's career, which they all seem to be very proud of. Twenty years together, after 2 major line-up changes, is no easy feat, especially to continue making music of the quality that they have been. Whether or not it was the band, or the label that wanted the compilation makes no difference. At least they made it special by including a new epic and a documentary DVD, rather than just being a poorly slapped together compilation (looking at you, Mercury with your Rush compilations that make NO sense).

Either way, if you don't like it, no one ever forces anyone to buy them, and if anything, buying them only benefits the band in the end.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 24, 2015, 08:48:37 AM
Huh?  How does that make any sense?  Wilson releasing a compilation, that had NO new songs, that is available only on vinyl, something only a tinny tiny percentage of music fans can still buy since most do not own a record player, is a cash grab?  Seriously? 

But hey, you are pretty good with the spin there, Marc.  The band should hire you to be their spokesman.  :lol :biggrin:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 24, 2015, 12:37:55 PM
Huh?  How does that make any sense?  Wilson releasing a compilation, that had NO new songs, that is available only on vinyl, something only a tinny tiny percentage of music fans can still buy since most do not own a record player, is a cash grab?  Seriously? 

I call it more of a cash-grab because SW knows that his die-hards will buy ANYTHING he puts out, even if it's a vinyl-only compilation that offers up nothing new. If SW really wanted to reach out to new fans, the compilation would've been made on CD, digital downloads, and sent to brick-and-mortar stores across the world, but I don't think it ever did that. The fact that the INTENTION was to make new fans but seriously limit the reach of the album made no sense (as far as compilations go), and so the only fans who'd probably buy it anyway would be the existing ones, and I'm sure plenty of them did. And as much of a fan of SW as I am, I didn't, mostly because I don't own a record player, and also because I didn't see the value in a compilation that didn't even offer up anything new, unless you enjoy edited versions of already long and great songs. Besides, with only 4 studio albums under his belt at the time, why bother making a compilation when getting the albums themselves is still really easy and fairly cheap to do? What's to celebrate...five years of not being Porcupine Tree?! :lol

At least with SB's compilation, new content and remastered old songs definitely made it worth the price, and the fact that it's widely available makes more sense as a compilation meant to reach out to new fans. If I had enough disposable income, I'm sure I'd buy another one or two of these to give to close friends and give them a chance to check out one of my top 5 bands of all time! Giving someone a 2CD/DVD set seems a lot more practical than a double-vinyl, especially, as you say, most people don't have record players, despite the resurgence of them.

At any rate, I won't say that SB's compilation ISN'T a cash-grab, because lets face it, most of the time, ALL compilations are cash-grabs, but I'm just glad the band, especially Neal, had the chance to put their input into it, have the old stuff remastered, and have Randy put together an excellent documentary. Had this been done by almost any other label, it definitely would NOT have been worth buying at all.

But hey, you are pretty good with the spin there, Marc.  The band should hire you to be their spokesman.  :lol :biggrin:

Hah, thanks, I guess? :p I mean, I am a huge fan of the band, but I doubt they'd need me to talk them up any more than they already have. Just trying to spread the love and joy that is Spock's Beard!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on December 24, 2015, 01:03:17 PM
Well, I don't want to get into a prolonged debate over SW vs SB, but I will just say that I think SW released that as a kind of cool thing for fans who love vinyl to have, regardless of what he says his intentions were (I think he is someone who loves taking the piss by always voicing misdirection :lol).  I never even considered buying it, and I would describe myself as a SW diehard who is usually of the "shut up and take my money" mindset. :lol :lol

Back to the Beard, I think the new album has three keepers:

Bennett Built a Time Machine
The Center Line
Disappear

Everything else ranges from pretty good to good, but those three stand out the most, I think.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mosh on December 24, 2015, 10:00:36 PM
I still don't understand the purpose of this compilation. There's no way you can convince me that this is meant to introduce fans to the band. Total cash grab.

This can't possibly be any more of a cash-grab than Steven Wilson's latest compilation, which was a limited-released, vinyl-only collection of singles, which he released to be aimed at obtaining new fans. Way to single out your target demographic, Mr. Wilson.

Don't know what SW has to do with it, wasn't aware of him having a new compilation. But that sounds like a cash grab too, so they're both guilty as far as I'm concerned. :P

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on December 24, 2015, 11:17:24 PM
I still don't understand the purpose of this compilation. There's no way you can convince me that this is meant to introduce fans to the band. Total cash grab.

This can't possibly be any more of a cash-grab than Steven Wilson's latest compilation, which was a limited-released, vinyl-only collection of singles, which he released to be aimed at obtaining new fans. Way to single out your target demographic, Mr. Wilson.

Don't know what SW has to do with it, wasn't aware of him having a new compilation. But that sounds like a cash grab too, so they're both guilty as far as I'm concerned. :P

 :rollin

Are *all* compilations just cash-grabs to you? Or to anyone else for that matter?! I mean, when you think about, anything that anyone puts out for money could be a "cash-grab". I mean, they've release product that is to be SOLD to consumers, so it's literally out there just to grab cash from fans.

New albums? Cash grab. Tours? Cash grab. Tour merch that is waaaaay too expensive?! Instant cash-grab.

I'm not sure what's worse, though - compilations or endless remasters/remixes? Some bands are guilty of both, though, especially Yes, who have been known to have fans triple- or quadruple-dip albums and songs. How shameless!

As for SB, this being their first compilation, I say we just cut them some slack. If they had released one or two prior to this, I could see room for complaints, but since its their first, I say we let them slide. :p

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: seasonsinthesky on December 25, 2015, 03:53:29 PM
I think a good example of a well done compilation is The Road Back Home by The Flower Kings. At the bare minimum, every song is remixed, and some are previously unreleased edits/versions.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mosh on December 26, 2015, 05:58:45 PM
The problem is that compilations are really obsolete these days, especially for prog bands where the complete album experience is very important. I'm almost positive that SW and Spock's are releasing these comps specifically aimed at existing fans who already have the material but are going to buy it anyway because they're completionists. If you're fine with that, then by all means buy it. But I don't see what's wrong with feeling disappointed that they would do that in the first place.

There are lots of great compilations from before the days of digital downloading that actually work as ways of reeling in new fans (which is what a compilation is supposed to do). Most relevant example has to be Classic Yes. It's a single disc, isn't overpriced, does a good job at showing the new listener the different sides of the band at the time, while appropriately focusing on the increasingly progressive direction they were taking.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 27, 2015, 07:21:45 AM
Why be disappointed?  They just released a new album, so it's not like you are missing out on anything that this collection replaced. If it is something you want, great. If not, don't buy it. But there is nothing disappointing.

I got the new collection for Christmas, and although I haven't had time to listen to the discs yet, the documentary was fantastic. The packaging is really nice as well. It's a great value.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on December 28, 2015, 01:28:08 AM
I'm not interested in the remixes, the discs I own sound fine enough and I probably don't even hear the differences, I'm not interested in the documentary (well maybe mildly) because I see myself watching it once an then shelf it. I'm not interested in a compilation because I already have most of the songs and when I listen to the Beard I normally listen to complete albums start to finish, and not a song compilation or playlist or whatever.

The only thing I'm interested in is the new song, and to have it I have to buy all the things I'm not interested in for 20+ Euros. That's a bit steep and that is why I'm disappointed.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 28, 2015, 07:42:41 AM
Well, the only reason there IS a new song is because of the compilation to celebrate 20 years.  So I don't blame the band one bit for doing it this way. 

The documentary has a TON of footage of classic SB playing from Progfest in 1997.  Lots of Neal with long hair lol.

Also, listened to the new song Falling to Forever this morning on the ride in to work.  Wow, really cool tune.  Definitely sounds like Spock's Beard.  Lots of great melodies, fantastic playing and composition, the drum duet is pretty cool.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kirksnosehair on December 28, 2015, 02:01:38 PM
Yeah, I'm actually quite happy with the purchase, too.  The video content alone was worth it.  The new track and remastered classic tracks are bonus material as far as I'm concerned.


This is marketing 101.  I get the disappointment, but it's not like this is a new thing they're doing.  Bands have been putting out compilations like this for decades and they almost always toss an extra something in there to try to entice the existing fans to buy.  They'd be idiots if they didn't. 







Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on December 28, 2015, 03:51:55 PM
tô purchase ll, the only reason there IS a new song is because of the compilation to celebrate 20 years.  So I don't blame the band one bit for doing it this way. 

The documentary has a TON of footage of classic SB playing from Progfest in 1997.  Lots of Neal with long hair lol.

Also, listened to the new song Falling to Forever this morning on the ride in to work.  Wow, really cool tune.  Definitely sounds like Spock's Beard.  Lots of great melodies, fantastic playing and composition, the drum duet is pretty cool.
Any idea of how much time of live footage and what songs? I'm still in the fence to purchase it... specially because of the price of the delivery and taxes. But I purchased the new song alone at iTunes - it was possible when it was just released.
  Thanks!
PS By the way, falling. .. is a fantastic song! 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 29, 2015, 10:30:51 AM
The entire documentary is around one hour, 45 minutes, I believe.  A large portion is performance from the 1997 Progfest, maybe as much as half of the runtime.  The rest is interviews with every member, starting with the forming of the band, all of the struggles they dealt with (including working with Kevin Gilbert, and how his death affected the band), on through Snow and Neal leaving, Nick taking over lead vocals and bringing in Jimmy Keegan on drums, and then Nick leaving and bringing in Ted Leonard.  It's all-encompassing, with other old behind-the-scenes footage (rehearsal, other stuff).

Also, finished my listen of disc one.  The remixes are really good.  Everything is crisp, clear, lush, and warm.  It sounds fantastic, and it's a good group of songs as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on December 29, 2015, 11:48:21 AM
Thanks a lot for all the detailed info! :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on December 29, 2015, 01:07:02 PM
We aim to please.

You aim too, please.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on January 04, 2016, 11:50:38 AM
This seemed like a good of a place as any to announce that my Spock's Beard survivor is now UP AND RUNNING, so please check it out! Thanks!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on January 06, 2016, 09:40:01 AM
Snow and The Kindness of Strangers Vinyls up for preorder on RadiantRecords.com

Both available in black or clear.


Their shipping is a bit bonkers though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on January 06, 2016, 09:49:06 AM
For anyone who wants them, Radiant Records has Snow and The Kindness Of Strangers Vinyl up for pre-orders! The limited edition clear vinyls are selling fast! I should know, i just bought both....my poor wallet. These will be out on the 8th so I assume they will ship tomorrow?

Beware Of Darkness and Day For Night will be up for pre-order in the 11th, released the 29th. After having just bought V on black vinyl for sale at Radiant, its weird how in one month, I'll have gone from 0 to 5 SB vinyl.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on January 06, 2016, 02:53:04 PM
For anyone who wants them, Radiant Records has Snow and The Kindness Of Strangers Vinyl up for pre-orders! The limited edition clear vinyls are selling fast! I should know, i just bought both....my poor wallet. These will be out on the 8th so I assume they will ship tomorrow?

Beware Of Darkness and Day For Night will be up for pre-order in the 11th, released the 29th. After having just bought V on black vinyl for sale at Radiant, its weird how in one month, I'll have gone from 0 to 5 SB vinyl.

-Marc.

They're sure charging a lot for shipping. My Snow and TKOS set cost over $20 to ship.
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on January 11, 2016, 07:22:21 AM
DFN and BOD Vinyls are up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on January 18, 2016, 01:08:07 PM
I'm told vinyls got held up in customs. I haven't gotten my SNOW and TKOS yet.. :(
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Cyclopssss on February 23, 2016, 01:14:39 AM
Don't know if this has been mentioned, but they are performing Snow in its entirety on Morsefest with past and present members....yes, with Neil. Took 'em long enough.....
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: DoctorAction on February 24, 2016, 11:43:20 AM
Love the Beard sooo much but they dropped off my radar after SB. Got a little tired of the NDV era nearly-but-not-quite awesomeness.

BUT! Feeling disappointed by The Astonishing made me search out some prog to move me and I got BNaES. Brilliant! So chuffed to have them back. Almost no band has moved me like classic Neal era Beard.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on February 24, 2016, 06:23:49 PM
Yep, the Neal era is hard to beat when it comes to Spock's, but Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep is definitely a great one. 

Did you ever hear X? I know you said you were tired of the NDV era, but they knocked it out of the park with that one.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: DoctorAction on February 25, 2016, 12:09:34 AM
Hey, KevShmev. I didn't. Maybe I'll go there next. There are tracks i still spin from the NDV era. Thanks for the tip!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on February 25, 2016, 08:29:06 AM
If you go into the NDV era of Spock's Beard then X is an absolute must. Clearly the best with NDV as lead singer and, for me, the second best overall.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on February 25, 2016, 08:31:47 AM
I agree that X is the best of the NDV era.

But for me, those are the bottom-ranked SB albums.  None of them are as good as any of the Morse or Leonard albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on February 26, 2016, 03:04:21 AM
If I would rank the studio albums it would be something like this:

1. V
2. X
3. Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep
4. The Light
5. The Kindness Of Strangers
6. The Oblivion Particle
7. Octane
8. Beware Of Darkness
9. Spock's Beard
10. Day For Night
11. Snow
12. Feel Euphoria
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mladen on February 26, 2016, 10:27:43 AM
To be honest, after the last three albums (especially X and BNADS), I no longer consider Neal era to be the essential period of the band. It's just a great era, but some equally great stuff followed.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on February 27, 2016, 12:46:17 PM
I think it's better to say the Neal era was the more definitive.  Six albums, and most of the material on the collective six is nothing short of great.

The NDV era was a bit inconsistent, with only one truly great album out of four, but it was still quite good overall.

The Leonard era has had only two albums, so it is too early to really compare it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on February 27, 2016, 01:04:26 PM
The Leonard era has had only two albums, so it is too early to really compare it.

It's off to a great start though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Nihil-Morari on February 29, 2016, 02:43:03 AM
Ranking time!


1. Snow
2. V
3. The Kindness of Strangers
4. The Light
5. Beware of Darkness
6. Day for Night
7. X
8. Brief Nocturnes
9. The Oblivion Particle
10. Octane
11. Spock's Beard
12. Feel Euphoria

Though I have to say that the latest two need some spinning. And that the first six (well, maybe the first 5) could be the other way around and I'd still be happy with the ranking.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: DoctorAction on March 04, 2016, 02:53:40 PM
Spun X on Spotify a couple of times. Great stuff. Will be getting one of those in. Already sounds by far the best of the NDV era.

(Saw them on the Feel Euphoria tour in London. Such a fun gig. Gutted I never saw them with Neal.)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on March 04, 2016, 04:51:20 PM
Spock's replacing Riverside at RoSfest.   
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Nihil-Morari on March 06, 2016, 02:25:38 PM
Was listening to Snow for the millionth time, and finally decided to learn the piano bit in Love Beyond Words, I've always really loved that part, but tonight I've finally been studying it. Hope you guys enjoy it.


https://youtu.be/xPEz8XBIy8c (https://youtu.be/xPEz8XBIy8c)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on March 06, 2016, 02:36:20 PM
Also NDV will be there with his new band so I'm expecting him to jump up on stage with SB.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on March 12, 2016, 09:03:33 AM
E-mail from Radiant Records:

NIGHT OF THE PROG!

We have just received notice that Neal Morse and Spock's Beard have been invited AND have agreed to perform
'SNOW'
 at Night of the Prog at Loreley, Germany, on July 15th!

Details are still being finalized and you will be able to get more info soon at the link below.

https://www.loreley-freilichtbuehne.de/programm-2016/15-17-07-2016-night-of-the-prog/
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: DoctorAction on March 13, 2016, 01:35:04 AM
Oh, my word. I hope they do something in the UK... Seeing as they'll have already travelled to Europe anyway!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 13, 2016, 07:06:40 AM
I listened to The Oblivion Particle yesterday.  It was awesome.  ♫♫
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on March 13, 2016, 07:25:49 AM
I haven't listened to it in a while; I need to change that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 13, 2016, 07:32:03 AM
It was my first time since right after it came out.  I thought it was good then, but have been busy that I just never got back to before yesterday.  I think Spock's Beard my be my favorite "newer prog" band.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on March 13, 2016, 07:35:52 AM
They're up there for me, too, although not my favorite.

The Oblivion Particle is interesting for me in that I like pretty much all of it, but nothing on it really wowed me to the point where I thought it was one of their better tunes. Still, not every album is going to be hit out of the park, and for being an album not close to one of their best, it is still pretty darn good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 13, 2016, 07:56:58 AM
I had it in my car for the past few weeks and it is a great album, very consistent with no really weak tracks.

It's amazing how they turned the loss of NDV into new energy and exciting new music.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on March 13, 2016, 08:42:03 AM
I listened to The Oblivion Particle yesterday.  It was awesome.  ♫♫

I'm hoping to hear a lot of songs from this album at RoSfest this year.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 14, 2016, 08:21:29 AM
I think Spock's Beard my be my favorite "newer prog" band.
This made me chuckle, since their first album came out in 1995.

When I think of "newer prog" bands, I think of groups like Haken. 

But hey, perspective.  And after all, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson still call Neil Peart "the new guy."
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 14, 2016, 10:12:38 AM
1995 was only 20 years ago.  Okay, 21 now.  That's still new, since prog has been around since the late 60's, early 70's, and most of it is still 40 years old.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on March 14, 2016, 07:53:57 PM
I tend to think of newer prog as anything from the 90s till now.  We have the first wave of prog in the late 60s and 70s, the 80s was mostly a wasteland for the genre, and the new prog in the 90s was the resurgence.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 14, 2016, 08:51:15 PM
Exactly.  So The Beard is newer prog, as opposed to classic prog or whatever you call the original stuff.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: hefdaddy42 on March 15, 2016, 10:48:04 AM
I know, it just sounds funny.

What would you call Haken?  Or would that still be "new prog"?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 15, 2016, 11:49:17 AM
I guess, yeah.  There's the original stuff, then everything after that is "new" or at least "newer".  Just as Neil Peart will always be the "new guy" in Rush (mostly jokingly, but always at least partly true), there's the original, then anything which came after.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on March 15, 2016, 11:55:17 AM
Ah. When age shows on the internet.   :lol

I blink and 20 years just passed by.  It happens so fast that the new prog generation that happened in the 90's are now 20 years into it but for us, it seems like yesterday.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on March 15, 2016, 12:26:40 PM
I've read a lot of fans call the 90's resurgence of prog as part of the "Third Wave", which references the fact that 80's Neo-Prog was the 2nd wave (Marillion, IQ, etc. etc.), and that the "Third Wave" brought about a lot of non-British prog bands, mostly from the US and other parts of Europe.

As for bands that debuts in the 2000's, I guess they could be called "Fourth Wave", and anything in the 2010's to now would be "Fifth Wave"?

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 15, 2016, 12:34:27 PM
Ah. When age shows on the internet.   :lol

I blink and 20 years just passed by.  It happens so fast that the new prog generation that happened in the 90's are now 20 years into it but for us, it seems like yesterday.

Yep.  That's why it's still new to me.  Also, it will never be part of my psyche the way the music from junior high and high school is.  The music I spent hours and hours listening to over and over.  Intricate music, and I know every note, every riff, every fill.  There's some newer stuff that's very, very good, but there's just not enough time these days, so there's no way I'll ever absorb it.  I mean, there are older albums I've listened to hundreds of times.  I think I've listened to The Oblivion Particle four or five times altogether, same with the first couple of Spock's Beard albums.  Great stuff, but I don't think I'll ever play them enough to know them note-for-note the way I know, for example, Close to the Edge.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on March 15, 2016, 12:59:20 PM
That too is age.  As a teen I could sit doing nothing for hours and listen to the music, reading the lyrics, trying to figure out the chord progression.

Now, I get to listen to albums in the car, not fully through, and in the background in my office working.  It doesn't soak in like my younger age and what can you do?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on March 15, 2016, 02:31:47 PM
You can enjoy it for what it is, which is good music.  And I'm glad that there are still bands out there making music like this, pushing where they can, not giving a shit about whether or not they'll ever have a Top 40 Hit.

Still, there will always be the days when you have to put on one of the old favorites, crank it up, and in your mind be a carefree idiotic teenager again.  Nothing "newer" can do that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on March 15, 2016, 05:50:11 PM
Spock's Beard is probably one of the more appealing "new prog" bands to older prog fans, simply because they really never incorporate metal elements into their music (their hardest moments might rock, but are never metal), so it has that classic vintage feel, regardless of what era of SB you listen to.  It helps, too, that almost all of their albums are mixed and sound very well, giving them a very organic sound, which really does take you back to the 70s.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 16, 2016, 02:08:34 AM
I don't think it's only the missing "metal" parts, Neal Morse's prog was and is very retro oriented right from the beginning of Spock's Beard. not that that is a bad thing, but the experimental stuff happens elsewhere.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on July 05, 2016, 08:40:19 PM
Don't know if this has been mentioned, but they are performing Snow in its entirety on Morsefest with past and present members....yes, with Neil. Took 'em long enough.....

So this happened Saturday...

And where are the reviews??

Did no one from here go see this??
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on July 05, 2016, 08:49:35 PM
As part of the SBForum on Facebook, I've been seeing a TON of photos from the weekend, as well as a lot of fan reviews, both quick and detailed (but not TOO detailed). The first night was a fun session with Neal, Nick, Eric, Casey, and Randy, as they all did songs from their own bands and projects, as well as a few covers, and while Randy didn't play any of his songs, he did get an extended bass solo spot in "Sing It High" (ya know, the usual one, I'm sure).

Early on Saturday featured a jam session with all the members of SB jamming on random covers, literally just calling out keys and playing the songs as they went along (or at least, that's what i've read). The main event was that evening, and every member of the band was on fire, apparently, and not only did Neal sing lead, but so did Nick, Ted, and even Jimmy. I also read there was a brass section there, too (which makes sense).

I haven't really read too much more than that as I'm sure we'll get the official release next year, though I've been worried about MORSEfest 2015 not having a release date yet (as Neal opted to release Alive Again first from the NMB's latest tour), so I'm hoping we get MORSEfest 2016 by this time next year. I'm dying to watch it in glorious HD Blu-ray format!!!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on July 06, 2016, 06:51:56 AM
As part of the SBForum on Facebook, I've been seeing a TON of photos from the weekend, as well as a lot of fan reviews, both quick and detailed (but not TOO detailed). The first night was a fun session with Neal, Nick, Eric, Casey, and Randy, as they all did songs from their own bands and projects, as well as a few covers, and while Randy didn't play any of his songs, he did get an extended bass solo spot in "Sing It High" (ya know, the usual one, I'm sure).

Early on Saturday featured a jam session with all the members of SB jamming on random covers, literally just calling out keys and playing the songs as they went along (or at least, that's what i've read). The main event was that evening, and every member of the band was on fire, apparently, and not only did Neal sing lead, but so did Nick, Ted, and even Jimmy. I also read there was a brass section there, too (which makes sense).

I haven't really read too much more than that as I'm sure we'll get the official release next year, though I've been worried about MORSEfest 2015 not having a release date yet (as Neal opted to release Alive Again first from the NMB's latest tour), so I'm hoping we get MORSEfest 2016 by this time next year. I'm dying to watch it in glorious HD Blu-ray format!!!

-Marc.

Just to let you know, on www.mikeportnoy.com/forum there's a topic about SB show, with very detailed reviews.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on July 12, 2016, 12:22:28 PM
Maybe some of you will be interested, from Radiant site:

"STARTING TODAY: Radiant's 3-Day Blowout Sale from now through Thursday, 7/14! Head over to www.radiantrecords.com for crazy discounts!

Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, and Neal Morse as low as $.99!"

I just bought SB 20 years by US$ 14,99 :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: rumborak on July 17, 2016, 01:06:51 PM
Some guy uploaded several videos:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/W1UOLODtL5M

Fuck, I want a DVD of that so bad. It's one of my favorite SB albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on July 17, 2016, 01:18:35 PM
Some guy uploaded several videos:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/W1UOLODtL5M

Fuck, I want a DVD of that so bad. It's one of my favorite SB albums.

This is what bands need to understand.   It's free promotion and for us who can buy Blu Ray/Dvd's and we will dish out the money.  This gets me jacked to buy it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mosh on July 17, 2016, 02:03:16 PM
Neal Morse releases so many live albums and DVDs that I tend to ignore most of them, but this one I'd buy as soon as it becomes available. They did this at Morsefest right? Doesn't that always get filmed? Neal has to know that there'd be a huge demand for it.

Anyone think this will result in NM being back in the band permanently? He's already written songs for SB and appeared on one of the albums if I'm remembering right. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear that he's on the next Spock's album sharing vocal duties with Ted Leonard.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on July 17, 2016, 02:11:52 PM
The simple answer it no.  Would it be cool?  Hell yeah!  I just don't think it will happen buy I'm glad they still jam together.   

I saw Nick jump up on stage at RoSfest this year with SB.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2016, 02:27:09 PM
Yep, I don't see it as anything other than the occasional jam with old friends.  Neal seems to love the band he has put together for his solo career, anyway. 

As for the DVD for Snow, we will see.  The last few Neal live DVDs I saw had weird camera angles, bad lighting, awful background colors, etc., so if this one is better in that regard, I will consider it.  Will be interesting to see how they handle the major gaffes that I read they had (Neal botching the piano solo in Love Beyond Words, Alan coming in too early with that big chord in 39th Street Blues, etc.).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mosh on July 17, 2016, 03:40:21 PM
Don't care about that stuff, I'll buy the DVD anyway. I don't expect a perfect performance, considering the size of the group and they probably had a limited time to rehearse the music (the bulk of which they probably haven't played in years).

As for NM in Spock's, ever since NDV left I've gotten the feeling that they are slowly easing him back in to the band. It started with writing some songs together on BNADS, then the 20 minute epic on the best of thing, and now a performance of Snow. I suppose at some point they might want to do a whole album together.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on July 18, 2016, 02:50:07 AM
I'm one of the probably few that don't want Neal back in SB. The occasional jam is nice and some contributions to albums, be it a guest spot or a shared songwriting credit, are an added bonus but I think with X and the two Ted Leonard records they finally have struggled free. They've found their own style which I enjoy very much and they've made it their own band.

And we have enough NM music or NM influenced music with his solo band and Transatlantic (and to some degree Flying Colours) that I don't need another band with him at the helm. I've grown a little bit tired of his music lately, it's still nice but doesn't really grab me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: rumborak on July 19, 2016, 11:38:52 AM
I think NM is in a very different place these days, musically and mentally. Writing an occasional song for SB is probably the right level of influence.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on July 19, 2016, 06:25:49 PM
Don't care about that stuff, I'll buy the DVD anyway. I don't expect a perfect performance, considering the size of the group and they probably had a limited time to rehearse the music (the bulk of which they probably haven't played in years).


Oh, I agree. A perfect performance is non-existent, but I am a lot more choosy in the live DVDs I now buy. I don't watch them in general as much as I used to, so I tend to only get ones I think I'll watch more than a couple times.  As much as I love Snow, I am not sure this one would fall into that category.  I fear it would be one I would watch once and then never again.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on July 19, 2016, 06:54:10 PM
I've seen SB last few tours and let me tell you they kick ass live. Great performances.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Prog Snob on July 19, 2016, 07:51:14 PM
I've seen SB last few tours and let me tell you they kick ass live. Great performances.

That's one band I've always wanted to see live.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on July 19, 2016, 07:53:27 PM
The new line up is so good live.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Prog Snob on July 19, 2016, 08:03:28 PM
I'll have to see when they're playing here again. I want to see Haken in September and Marillion in November.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: King Postwhore on July 19, 2016, 08:08:05 PM
The wife and I are seeing Haken in September.   Nick will be with us.

I need to see Marillion.   Last time was 1986 opening for Rush playing all of Misplaced Childhood.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mosh on July 19, 2016, 08:31:44 PM
Don't care about that stuff, I'll buy the DVD anyway. I don't expect a perfect performance, considering the size of the group and they probably had a limited time to rehearse the music (the bulk of which they probably haven't played in years).


Oh, I agree. A perfect performance is non-existent, but I am a lot more choosy in the live DVDs I now buy. I don't watch them in general as much as I used to, so I tend to only get ones I think I'll watch more than a couple times.  As much as I love Snow, I am not sure this one would fall into that category.  I fear it would be one I would watch once and then never again.
Fair enough, I'm pretty choosy too. The only NM/Spock's related DVDs I have are the last two Transatlantic sets (and that's only because I got insane deals for them). Snow would be the first 'must buy' NM DVD for me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Prog Snob on July 19, 2016, 08:32:37 PM
I'm sure Marillion will be playing there around the same time as here, so figure November.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: ytserush on September 04, 2016, 11:29:55 AM
I'm sure Marillion will be playing there around the same time as here, so figure November.

I'd have loved to have added another Marillion gig in New York on election night, but alas it was not to be. Just have to settle for one this time.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. SNOW Live!
Post by: Mindflux on September 12, 2017, 09:03:05 AM
Got my SNOW Live! preorder in at radiant.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: goo-goo on September 12, 2017, 09:05:16 AM
80 bucks for the artbook with shipping to the US (15 for shipping). Kind of steep. I might settle for the Blu-ray only but outside Radiant. 30 bucks with shipping for the Blu-ray. Damn...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on September 12, 2017, 09:07:10 AM
80 bucks for the artbook with shipping to the US (15 for shipping). Kind of steep. I might settle for the Blu-ray only but outside Radiant. 30 bucks with shipping for the Blu-ray. Damn...

Yeah I went with the artbook.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on September 12, 2017, 09:17:00 AM
Got the artbook as I perched on my phone waiting for 11 EST.

I'm order 108150, and it cost me $80.79 after shipping...ugh. Well, it'll be worth it I think.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on September 12, 2017, 09:20:33 AM
108152 here


I had put the DVD and BluRay in my cart and then saw the artbook and had to add that and remove the others.. so that slowed me down a bit.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on September 12, 2017, 09:23:31 AM
108152 here


I had put the DVD and BluRay in my cart and then saw the artbook and had to add that and remove the others.. so that slowed me down a bit.

I just scrolled towards the bottom and saw "NEAL WILL SIGN" and "ARTBOOK", found the word "BUNDLE" and went for the highest priced item and went for it without reading the whole description first. :lol

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on September 12, 2017, 09:24:08 AM
108152 here


I had put the DVD and BluRay in my cart and then saw the artbook and had to add that and remove the others.. so that slowed me down a bit.

I just scrolled towards the bottom and saw "NEAL WILL SIGN" and "ARTBOOK", found the word "BUNDLE" and went for the highest priced item and went for it without reading the whole description first. :lol

-Marc.

That's what I should have done... I'm sure I'm still in the first 200 so no big deal.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on September 12, 2017, 09:38:18 AM
108152 here


I had put the DVD and BluRay in my cart and then saw the artbook and had to add that and remove the others.. so that slowed me down a bit.

I just scrolled towards the bottom and saw "NEAL WILL SIGN" and "ARTBOOK", found the word "BUNDLE" and went for the highest priced item and went for it without reading the whole description first. :lol

-Marc.

That's what I should have done... I'm sure I'm still in the first 200 so no big deal.

Considering you were two orders behind me, and I ordered mine between 11:00 and 11:01, I think you're in. :tup

Now, my big question is - will this set ONLY feature Snow, or will the encore of "June" and "Falling For Forever" be included as well? I cannot find any information confirming if it is or isn't included in this set, and the pictures on Radiant are thumbnails that are too small to read.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: OpenYourEyes311 on September 12, 2017, 09:53:45 AM
*sigh* Once again, can't get audio and video in *just* the formats I want. Oh well, I'll have to skip the Blu-ray again, because the CDs are most important for me. (sorry for complaining, this just REALLY bugs me)

On a less 'complain-y' note, I wonder what they'll end up doing with the Storytellers night of Morsefest 2016. My guess is that will be released on it's own at some point in the future, but I guess we'll see.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on September 12, 2017, 10:01:51 AM
I wonder what they'll end up doing with the Storytellers night of Morsefest 2016. My guess is that will be released on it's own at some point in the future, but I guess we'll see.

I've been wondering this as well, though I suspect it'll be a Radiant Records release through there store, perhaps not a wide-spread album, since it's not really the NMB or SB, or exactly FC or TA, it doesn't really "fit in" with any prior band's output.

Now I'm trying to figure out which part of my CD tower I should shelf this under - Spock's Beard (because it technically IS SB live), or Neal Morse (because it was at Morsefest and it's his music, more or less). On one hand, it's nice to see this get its own separate release and be billed as such, rather than released as part of a Morsefest 2016 package (like the last two sets were), but I'll just have to get over the idea that I won't have the last 3 Morsefest sets in matching packaging. Ah well...

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on September 12, 2017, 08:39:59 PM
Neal confirmed on twitter that a) the Snow release will include the encores from that night, and b) the material from the other night of Morsefest 2016 will be released later.  I could see it being packaged with this year's Morsefest.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on September 14, 2017, 05:18:53 AM
That's a question: Is this an official Spock's Beard release, or is it Neal Morse feat. Spock's Beard?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mindflux on September 14, 2017, 06:48:43 AM
That's a question: Is this an official Spock's Beard release, or is it Neal Morse feat. Spock's Beard?

It's from MorseFest 2016, however that was SNOW in it's entirety with every single band member (current or past) being part of the show. 

So it's Neal's thing, but is first and foremost Spock's Beard material.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on November 25, 2017, 11:37:51 AM
Nobody here already heard Snow live? I didn't see the DVD, but the audio version is really amazing! Great performance of the band, hard to believe it was the first one! Great mix and overall sound also!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: devieira73 on November 25, 2017, 11:39:41 AM
Rich Mouser should record and mix a DT album!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: ProfessorPeart on November 25, 2017, 12:24:59 PM
I ordered the Art book version from Radiant and they were delayed. Still anxiously waiting for its arrival. Hoping sometime next week.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mladen on November 25, 2017, 12:40:59 PM
I went to pick up the Snow DVD and I even held it in my hands, but at the last second I kind of convinced myself it was too expensive. I'll probably regret not buying it at some point.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Dreammajesty on November 25, 2017, 01:29:12 PM
Bought the blue vinyl here at the biggest cd and vinyl fair in Holland.Sounds awesome  stunning show !!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: ich bin besser on November 25, 2017, 03:27:28 PM
Bought the blue vinyl here at the biggest cd and vinyl fair in Holland.Sounds awesome  stunning show !!

I don't understand why people buy only the audio version, tbh. It's a thing you have to WATCH!
Okay, still waiting till Christmas for my copy to arrive, but I already read some reviews saying the vibe is awesome (the stage not so much). I was at the Night of the Prog gig with a couple of thousand people - and that gig was the best I ever saw (and I've seen a looot). Too bad that one wasn't filmed for that release...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Orbert on November 25, 2017, 04:47:32 PM
I prefer a good concert vid (DVD, Blu-ray, etc) to a good live album if it's one of those that really puts me there in the concert and I really love the band.  Sure, it's a more immersive experience.  Snow Live sounds amazing.  But I rarely have time to sit and watch concerts these days, so I tend to get more mileage out of good live album.  I can listen to it over and over in the car during my commute as loudly as I want.  That's not a bad option either.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 30, 2017, 11:55:49 AM
I prefer a good concert vid (DVD, Blu-ray, etc) to a good live album if it's one of those that really puts me there in the concert and I really love the band.  Sure, it's a more immersive experience.  Snow Live sounds amazing.  But I rarely have time to sit and watch concerts these days, so I tend to get more mileage out of good live album.  I can listen to it over and over in the car during my commute as loudly as I want.  That's not a bad option either.

This, I have watched most of my concert dvds only once, even if they are of stellar quality. But I regularly listen to my favorite live albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Fritzinger on February 28, 2018, 12:01:40 PM
Spock's Beard will release their new album in may this year!

(https://scontent-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/28515162_863580347154615_6685067073348281601_o.jpg?oh=83ce65a1523d0db0eb932d3c3545bc69&oe=5B44698D)

Quote
Spock’s Beard announce 13th studio album ‘Noise Floor’

Legendary US progressive rockers Spock’s Beard have announced the release of their 13th studio album ‘Noise Floor’ for 25th May 2018. As announced previously, for this album Ted Leonard, Alan Morse, Dave Meros & Ryo Okumoto are joined in the studio once again by drummer & original member Nick D’Virgilio, who records his first album with the band since 2010’s ‘X’.

Spock's Beard are a band who are in a continual state of evolution, as is always the case with genuinely creative musicians. And their new album, 'Noise Floor', fits perfectly into this process.
“We are always about evolution, not revolution. But what we have done this time is make the songs more melodic,” believes vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard. “We still love our crazy prog, but now appreciate how important it is to grab people's attention early on.”

As with all Spock's Beard songs, most of the new album was written by the individual members, and then brought to the rest of the band as high quality demos. “We all do this type of thing in our home studios,” adds Leonard. “So, by the time they reach the stage where the entire band get to judge them, they are really developed, and therefore everyone can make a reasoned judgement.”
Much of what you will listen to here is very much the product of fresh inspiration from the Californian band.

One key change on this album sees the return of drummer Nick D'Virgilio, who originally left in 2011. There are also two violinists, a cello player, a viola player and an English horn featured on the album, thereby giving the sound a slightly more evocative and persuasive twist.

The album was once again engineered by long-time collaborator Rich Mouser and will be released as a 2CD digipak (featuring an EP of material from the same sessions), gatefold 2LP + 2CD & as digital download.
The track-listing is as follows:
Disc 1 – Noise Floor
1. To Breathe Another Day
2. What’s Become of Me
3. Somebody’s Home
4. Have We All Gone Crazy
5. So This Is Life
6. One So Wise
7. Box of Spiders
8. Beginnings

Disc 2 – Cutting Room Floor
1. Days We’ll Remember
2. Bulletproof
3. Vault
4. Armageddon Nervous

Look out for more information in the coming weeks!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: kaos2900 on February 28, 2018, 12:21:07 PM
Awesome! Loved Brief Nocturns, didn't like Oblivian Partical. Still plan on picking this up day one.

Also, finally watched the Snow Blu-Ray. Awesome show.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on February 28, 2018, 12:22:57 PM
BNADS and The Oblivion Particle were pretty good, but I've been hyped for this release since it was first alluded to last year, especially with the return of NDV on drums for the album!

The track list looks good - 12 new songs from SB that have some SB-sounding titles, especially the punny "Armageddon Nervous" :lol

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on February 28, 2018, 12:23:53 PM
I'm seriously excited. So far the two records with Ted were great. I hope they can keep it up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: jingle.boy on February 28, 2018, 12:34:10 PM
Color me excited.  Oblivion didn't grab me at first, but eventually I warmed up to it.  It's been a while since I spun it or BNADS... should rectify that today.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on February 28, 2018, 12:41:59 PM
That is factually incorrect to say, "As with all Spock's Beard songs, most of the new album was written by the individual members," considering how many songs in the post-Neal were written by outside writers, but that aside, I am still looking forward to this.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Mladen on February 28, 2018, 12:45:26 PM
I was keeping my fingers crossed for this news. Wonderful.  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Kwyjibo on February 28, 2018, 12:51:44 PM
That is factually incorrect to say, "As with all Spock's Beard songs, most of the new album was written by the individual members," considering how many songs in the post-Neal were written by outside writers, but that aside, I am still looking forward to this.

I think it's meant more in the line of: the songs weren't written by the group together in a rehearsal room but by individuals. The band then worked on far advanced demos.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: Fritzinger on February 28, 2018, 01:18:39 PM
That is factually incorrect to say, "As with all Spock's Beard songs, most of the new album was written by the individual members," considering how many songs in the post-Neal were written by outside writers, but that aside, I am still looking forward to this.

I thought the same thing. I hope the band has more writing credits this time than on Oblivion. Although it shouldn't really matter to me as long as the music is good (which it is), it leaves the strange feeling that I would have liked it even better if it was completely written by the band.

Does anyone sense an early 80s feeling from the cover and name? I mean, Noise Floor? That almost sounds disco to me. I wouldn't mind, since Haken have already proven that 80s influences work pretty well with modern prog.
But the whole cover reminds me a bit of early 80s-Kansas (Audio Visions & Vinyl Confessions).


Anyway, I get the feeling that the band wants to become more modern and catchy with their music. Maybe try what Steven Wilson did.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on February 28, 2018, 02:02:17 PM
Really exciting news! I can't wait! I wonder if we should consider the Disc 2 tracks as part of the main album or as bonus tracks, separate from the "symphony" that is the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: MinistroRaven on March 02, 2018, 04:35:28 AM
What’s their label?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on March 02, 2018, 04:39:56 AM
What’s their label?

It has been InsideOUT. The press release doesn't specifically mention the label, which is highly unusual. But I've just checked IO's website and the statement is there, so I'm guessing they're still with them.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: DTA on March 02, 2018, 05:53:15 AM
I have been extremely satisfied with all of their output so far in both eras. They have not released a weak album yet and each disc has tons of stunning moments. So far, I've loved both Ted releases (and I think I'm one of the few who prefers Oblivion Particle), so Noise Floor is an automatic buy. The cover and album title has me intrigued.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: RoeDent on March 02, 2018, 06:50:39 AM
This is effectively Spock's Beard's 5th "era", if every member change counts as an era.

1st: The Light
*Ryo joins*
2nd: Beware of Darkness to Snow
*Neal leaves, NDV takes over on vocals*
3rd: Feel Euphoria to X
*NDV leaves, Ted Leonard and Jimmy Keegan join*
4th: BNADS to The Oblivion Particle
*Jimmy leaves; NDV rejoins*
5th: Noise Floor to  ???
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: DoctorAction on March 04, 2018, 03:19:34 AM
Can't wait. Super band.  :)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on March 05, 2018, 03:15:15 PM
This is effectively Spock's Beard's 5th "era", if every member change counts as an era.

1st: The Light
*Ryo joins*
2nd: Beware of Darkness to Snow
*Neal leaves, NDV takes over on vocals*
3rd: Feel Euphoria to X
*NDV leaves, Ted Leonard and Jimmy Keegan join*
4th: BNADS to The Oblivion Particle
*Jimmy leaves; NDV rejoins*
5th: Noise Floor to  ???

I think SB fans, and maybe prog fans in general, just discuss SB's "Eras" in terms of who the lead singer is, much in the same way as Genesis was - Gabriel-Era and Collins-Era, and the one-off Wilson-Era. If you counted every line-up change for Genesis in the same way, then there were technically 11 line-ups of Genesis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Genesis_band_members), but you only ever really hear of the 3 listed above.

Not every line-up change is an era, and not every era should reflect a line-up change. It's more based on the lead vocalist and possibly even the lead writer(s) of each era. With the first six SB albums, Neal was that voice and writer, but once he left, the writing duties were split up between the remaining 4 members and 2 co-writers, with Nick singing lead. When Nick left, his music did, too, so the writing fell on the remaining 3 members, with new input from Jimmy and Ted, the latter of which was now the lead voice of the band. And so with Noise Floor, we still continue the third era of SB with Ted still singing lead vocals.

Side-note - good god, could you imagine how many "eras" there would be for bands like King Crimson or Yes?! It'd be a headache...and in the case of Yes, would a similar line-up be considered part of that era, or something new? For example, the Keys To Ascension studio songs were written by the same band that did Tales From Topographic Oceans, Going For The One, and Tormato, but they're clearly not the same era, despite being the same line-up.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on March 15, 2018, 03:06:44 PM
Pre-orders are up in BurningShed. Here's updated tracklist info for the vinyl and CD.

https://burningshed.com/index.php?route=product/search&filter_name=Noise%20floor&filter_sub_category=true

LP
 
A
1. To Breathe Another Day (5:38)
2. What Becomes of Me (6:11)
3. Somebody's Home (6:32)
 
B
1. Have We All Gone Crazy Yet (8:07)
2. So This Is Life (5:36)
3. One So Wise (6:58)
 
C
1. Box of Spiders (5:29)
2. Beginnings (7:25)
 
D
1. Days We'll Remember (4:15)
2. Bulletproof (4:41)
3. Vault (4:49)
4. Armageddon Nervous (3:32)
 
CD 1 - Noise Floor
 
1. To Breathe Another Day (5:38)
2. What Becomes of Me (6:11)
3. Somebody's Home (6:32)
4. Have We All Gone Crazy Yet (8:07)
5. So This Is Life (5:36)
6. One So Wise (6:58)
7. Box of Spiders (5:29)
8. Beginnings (7:25)
 
CD 2 - Cutting Room Floor EP
 
1. Days We'll Remember (4:15)
2. Bulletproof (4:41)
3. Vault (4:49)
4. Armageddon Nervous (3:32)


Looks to be 69:18 total in length, which is 3:10 longer than TOP (sans the bonus cover).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: KevShmev on March 15, 2018, 05:28:16 PM
Wow, only around 50 minutes for the proper CD.  That is short by today's standards. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. The First Twenty Years and Recap
Post by: The Letter M on March 15, 2018, 06:32:07 PM
Wow, only around 50 minutes for the proper CD.  That is short by today's standards.

NF is 52:02, which is only 3:48 shorter than BNADS' 55:50 for its main album, and Octane was only 55:49.

For the curious, here are the album lengths for their past albums up to Feel Euphoria, not including bonus tracks/discs:
The Light - 57:03
Beware Of Darkness - 58:12
The Kindness Of Strangers - 56:35
Day For Night - 61:21
V - 62:59
Snow - 103:41 (Obviously their longest one)
Feel Euphoria - 63:53

NF is looking to be the band's shortest album to date, but by no means should that reflect upon the music, which I am hopeful will live up to the greatness of their last few albums! At least there's 17:16 of bonus tracks. I wonder what their thought processes were in B-Side'ing those pieces. I always thought that SB9 should have had a bit of trimming done, with the less-than-stellar tracks relegated to B-Side Status (much like Octane before it, and BNADS after, though the bonus tracks on BNADS are pretty enjoyable).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on March 15, 2018, 07:13:35 PM
I think some of the best songs from the BNADS sessions are from the bonus disc.  Then again, with the exception of Afterthoughts, I am a big fan of every song from both the main and bonus disc.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on March 16, 2018, 10:14:08 AM
I think some of the best songs from the BNADS sessions are from the bonus disc.  Then again, with the exception of Afterthoughts, I am a big fan of every song from both the main and bonus disc.

I pretty much agree with all of that, though I do like Afterthoughts myself. Coming after X, it was going to be hard to make another knock-out album, but the band did it, and with a line-up change to boot! BNADS is probably in my top half of SB albums, while TOP is slightly near the middle - still good, but it didn't quite reach the same heights as BNADS. I do have high hopes for NF though, especially from the behind-the-scenes clips the band has posted over the last several months on Facebook!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on March 16, 2018, 12:02:03 PM
I approve the length  :tup.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on March 16, 2018, 12:13:06 PM
That's what she...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on March 16, 2018, 12:15:52 PM
Indeed.  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on March 20, 2018, 02:12:23 PM
Ryo Okumoto just posted a link to a pre-order on Amazon Japan for the Japanese edition of the album, which has 7 exclusive tracks on it, 6 of which are demos of songs found on the album. Oddly enough, two of those tracks feature drums by Jimmy Keegan, so I wonder if they were demos before he left the band, and weren't used on TOP, then reworked for NF later on?

Either way, the Japanese 2nd Disc contains 11 tracks total, and even though I already pre-ordered the album from BurningShed last week, I'd love to get this Japanese release for the bonus tracks:

Disc 2 - Cutting Room Floor
1-4. [Same as the regular 2CD version]
5. Save Our Souls [Presumably a whole new track, not listed as a demo]
6. Vault (Demo)
7. Box Of Spiders (Demo, feat. Jimmy Keegan)
8. Somebody's Home (Demo)
9. Days We'll Remember (Demo)
10. Armageddon Nervous (Demo)
11. Beginnings (Demo, feat. Jimmy Keegan)

Additional information found on the Japanese Amazon listing:
Eric Gorfain - violin
Leah Katz - Viola
Richard Dodd - Cello
David Robertson - English Horn
Released on King Records, ASIN - B07BF248BT

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on March 21, 2018, 08:13:44 AM
Noise Floor could be seen as a Genesis-length single-vinyl album (the main disc) with a bonus EP thrown in.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DoctorAction on April 06, 2018, 05:54:52 AM
New song is on Spotify today. "To Breathe Another Day"

Sounds classic, yet fresh and energetic. Lovely to hear Nick on the kit. Very excited for the album now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 06, 2018, 06:27:13 AM
Can you hear Nick singing anything? Maybe background?
Weird that there was no announcement on FB or anything.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on April 06, 2018, 06:55:21 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2J3mjnFL4
official video
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on April 06, 2018, 07:08:22 AM
Why did they even bother making a video if this is what they come up with?  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 06, 2018, 07:23:37 AM
I had to actually stop watching the video in order to try and concentrate on the song itself. Leonard looks like he Skyped his shots in, and it looks like they turned Meros' desk fan a couple of levels too high.

Anyway, these guys are musicians not actors. The song didn't blow me away, but it's alright enough. The chorus brought to mind the verses in A Treasure Abandoned. Same key, similar vocal inflections.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on April 06, 2018, 07:31:06 AM
Good first rocker single.  We all know the rest of the album will not be like this single.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 06, 2018, 08:56:30 AM
I had a very similar reaction to Tides of Time, the first single off their last album, The Oblivion Particle. And that album, in terms of how I feel about it, is a lot like Dream Theater's self-titled album. It's not very often that I'm inclined to listen to it, but when I do, I really enjoy it and get into it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on April 06, 2018, 10:49:07 AM
Good first rocker single.  We all know the rest of the album will not be like this single.

Being the opening track, it definitely rocks and reels me in, so I'm inclined to agree here - I'm thinking the rest of the album will be different from this. This is pretty similar of "Tides Of Time" in terms of style and feel. The official video is pretty hilarious and corny in only the way that SB could be. A shame there's no video of NDV, but I think they're definitely doing that on purpose to emphasize the fact that he's just a guest performer on the album and not officially back with the band (...yet? lol).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 06, 2018, 11:17:55 AM
I HOPE NDV comes back to the band. And sings some tunes too. Love the guy.

But I dont want to miss him in BBT either. Man this dude just improves every band with his drumming :D

But if I had to choose one of the bands for NDV, I'd pick BBT.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ich bin besser on April 06, 2018, 01:22:06 PM
Oh well...
Nick would be the obvious choice for a live drummer, as well. I'd be really surprised to see someone else than Jimmy or Nick taking over the drums here.
But taking that Jimmy quit the band and Nick will only be available for dates that don't interfere with BBT dates (in studio or live), it's gonna be interesting how the mighty Beard will develop...

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gazinwales on April 06, 2018, 03:53:50 PM
https://progreport.com/dave-meros-spocks-beard-interview-noise-floor/
Nick won't be the live drummer.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on April 06, 2018, 04:54:25 PM
Bizarre video - all just filmed from their home offices (or workshop) by the looks of things. 

Love the tune though!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: SoundscapeMN on April 06, 2018, 05:02:08 PM
I just stumbled upon this:

Jimmy Keegan: Hollywood Actor?

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0444438/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t87
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gzarruk on April 06, 2018, 06:00:31 PM
Great song! Let’s face it, the video is not too good, but we got a new SB song, so I really can’t complain :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on April 06, 2018, 06:27:00 PM
I just stumbled upon this:

Jimmy Keegan: Hollywood Actor?

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0444438/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t87

You didn't know that? Yeah.  Pretty cool right?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DoctorAction on April 07, 2018, 08:52:47 AM
I loved Dave in the garage in his spangly shirt and fan turned up to 11.  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on April 07, 2018, 09:45:51 AM
Good rocker, let's see/hear what the rest sounds like.

Ted always looks so un-rockstar like, like a random dude who suddenly is fronting a band.  :D

And why is there a cookie monster on top of his guitar?  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on April 07, 2018, 09:54:16 AM
Because he obviously doesn't give a rat's ass. He looks like he got up two minutes earlier.  :lol

Jokes aside, it's a solid track.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on April 18, 2018, 11:59:49 AM
I apologize for the double post. How about stirring up some discography discussion before the new album comes out?

I've been listening through the entire discography over the last few weeks. Sure, the Neal Morse era is filled with classic albums, no doubt about it.

However, I'm still stunned and impressed by how fantastic X and Brief nocturnes are. It's extremely odd that a band pulles off two albums of such remarkable quality late in their career and without the man used to be their main songwriter for years. They're both such creative, rich and consistent albums that also feature some of the original Spock's Beard warmth and beauty. I would even rank them above some of the classics.

And then I feel the need to point out how most of us would agree that The Oblivion particle was a good album, but left all of us slightly underwhelmed. Something was missing and I can't put my finger on what it was. I think they kind of pursued a modern prog sound and ignored some of the key elements of the band, which is admirable and can sometimes be a good move, but that actually might be what prevented the album from being great.

How about ranking the albums?

1. The Light
2. X
3. Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep
4. V
5. Snow
6. Octane
7. Beware Of Darkness
8. The Kindness Of Strangers
9. The Oblivion Particle
10. Day For Night
11. Feel Euforia
12. Spock's Beard
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 18, 2018, 12:36:14 PM
I find it very hard to rank albums. I could say my top 3 or 5 in most cases or say "I like album A better than album B" but a whole ranking is difficult for me.

I liked X quite a lot, but I grew a little tired of it after listening to it for some time. It's still a very good album though.

Spock's Beard (self titled album) was the first album I ever owned of them and it holds a special place in my heart. I understand though that some fans don't like it that much. But On A Perfect Day is one of the best SB tracks, and I love Skeletons, All That's Left, Herafter, Re-Arranged (rocks!!!); and the longtrack is way more concise than the last two (from Octane and Euphoria), and even The Healing Colors.
I feel similar about Octane. It has fantastic tracks (Ballet, She Is everything, Beauty Of It All, Planet, Watching The Tide, yes I am a ballad fan), but some mediocre ones too. I feel the album would have been more awesome if they converted the whole thing into a concept album. The first 35 minutes dont work well as a long track, but they do as a bunch of songs in a row that have a concept and belong together somehow. It would have been a good concept album if the other songs were worked into that concept.

As you see, I began with the NDV era, simply because the FYE in Fort Myers only had the self titled album in stock when I was there for vacation about ten years ago. I heard about the band in the German DT Forum (like about countless other bands, like SymX), and didn't even know who that Neal Morse guy was.
It is the same with Phil Collins Genesis. If you start with that era without knowing about former albums, you probably don't hold grudges over the change in style.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DoctorAction on April 18, 2018, 01:43:29 PM
I struggle to name a favourite. I don't usually listen to a whole album of their's for some reason.

Snow was my first so is a bit special for me. Neal sounds so emotional on the end of the record, especially. Speaks to me in a very rare way indeed. When my first born was tiny and wouldn't stop crying for whatever reason i used to carry him around the bedroom singing Wind At My Back to him softly.  :)

I've not heard Oblivion Particle but X and Dreamless Whatsit are really good.

I like Day For Night more than most seem to. Beware Of Darkness has never clicked for me at all.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 18, 2018, 01:51:37 PM
When my first born was tiny and wouldn't stop crying for whatever reason i used to carry him around the bedroom singing Wind At My Back to him softly.  :)


That's so beautiful  :'( :angel:

SNOW is my favorite Spock's album and Wind At My Back is one of the most beautiful and honest songs I know. What I love about this song is that it could be about so many things or people, it's just a tune that gives strength and reminds you that everything might not be as bad as it seems.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DoctorAction on April 18, 2018, 03:59:59 PM
When my first born was tiny and wouldn't stop crying for whatever reason i used to carry him around the bedroom singing Wind At My Back to him softly.  :)


That's so beautiful  :'( :angel:

SNOW is my favorite Spock's album and Wind At My Back is one of the most beautiful and honest songs I know. What I love about this song is that it could be about so many things or people, it's just a tune that gives strength and reminds you that everything might not be as bad as it seems.

 :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on April 18, 2018, 04:38:02 PM
I like Day For Night more than most seem to. Beware Of Darkness has never clicked for me at all.
Very rare opinion here, that I totally agree :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on April 18, 2018, 05:24:34 PM
Day For Night was my first Spock's Beard album, and I still love it.  Got it way back when I was in the CD club (anyone else remember those?)  It was their latest at the time, so I worked back from there, and of course have gotten to see how they've evolved since then.  I look forward to new stuff from them!  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on April 18, 2018, 07:28:59 PM
Count me in the "Snow is a favorite" camp. My favorite of the Neal-era albums at least, and pretty high up there in the overall discography.

Concerning Day For Night, when I got into SB (around 2005/2006), I had veered toward popular opinion at the time, which was DFN wasn't as good as any of the other albums, especially among the six Neal-era ones, and I sort of agreed. Snow was an instant favorite, and V and Beware Of Darkness were tied in a close 2nd, while TKOS really stuck to me with tunes like "The Good Don't Last" and "Harm's Way". Day For Night just didn't have the same punch and power the albums around it had, but it still had some great pieces like "Crack The Big Sky", "The Gypsy", and "The Healing Colors Of Sound", which was a bit more disjointed than the band's prior epics, but still pretty good! I think pieces like "Gibberish", "Skin" and "Can't Get It Wrong" felt like rehashes of songs they had already released, and didn't feel like anything new to me compared to similar songs on the prior 3 albums, where as V would put together some rather unique shorter songs in the middle of its two grand epics.

Since then, I've come around a bit more on DFN, and have grown to appreciate the album as a whole, but if you had to ask me, it's still my least favorite Neal-era album, but by no means does that make it a BAD album!

As for a ranking? Good god I don't think I could do one...but here's my best effort anyway:
Snow
V / X (tied!)
Beware Of Darkness
Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep
The Light
The Kindness Of Strangers
Octane
Day For Night
The Oblivion Particle
Spock's Beard
Feel Euphoria

...even looking at it for a minute before hitting POST, I feel a bit reluctant to submit that, but we'll just go with my gut feelings on it for now. :lol

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on April 18, 2018, 07:38:12 PM
Even though it still has three songs I dislike a lot, I like Day for Night a lot more than I used to.  It is still my least favorite Neal-era album, but I definitely like it more than the self-titled and The Oblivion Particle.

I also like Octane a lot more than I did at first.

On the flip side, I don't like V as much as I used to.  I still love At the End of the Day, but The Great Nothing seems like a chore to get through now, and Alan Morse's tone on most of the album annoys the crap out of me.

Gun to my head, I would say my favorites are Beware of Darkness, Snow, X and Brief Nocturnes..., with The Kindness of Strangers and The Light just behind.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 19, 2018, 01:30:19 AM
Took me forever to get into Beware Of Darkness and I still don't rank it as high as some other fans. Time Has Come is fantastic, sure, and Thoughts probably among the greatest prog songs of the 90s. But I never liked the Doorway (Firth Of Fifth ripoff). Walking On The Wind is cool, but not essential for me. Chatauqua is a nice Mood For A Day/Horizon's like tune.
I think it might be tied with Day For Night actually... Crack The Big Sky and Gypsy are awesome. I like Gibberish better than In The Mouth Of Madness. Skin is a cool pop song. I like the two ballads too. As for The Healing Colors, yes it's a little too song-song-song-reprisefirstsong, but it has great moments. It would be better if they'd skipped Mommy Comes Back though, imo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on April 19, 2018, 03:46:44 AM
Ranking time  :metal

I did it before in this thread about two years ago, my list hasn't changed that much (mainly Light and Brief Nocturnes changing places since then):

1. V
2. X
3. The Light
4. Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep
5. The Kindness Of Strangers
6. The Oblivion Particle
7. Octane
8. Beware Of Darkness
9. Spock's Beard
10. Day For Night
11. Snow
12. Feel Euphoria

But even Feel Euphoria isn't bad, its just not as good as others.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on April 19, 2018, 05:59:51 AM
But even Feel Euphoria isn't bad, its just not as good as others.

It's not very good in general.

Snow 2nd last!?!   :omg:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on April 19, 2018, 06:20:29 AM
Took me forever to get into Beware Of Darkness and I still don't rank it as high as some other fans. Time Has Come is fantastic, sure, and Thoughts probably among the greatest prog songs of the 90s. But I never liked the Doorway (Firth Of Fifth ripoff). Walking On The Wind is cool, but not essential for me. Chatauqua is a nice Mood For A Day/Horizon's like tune.
 

Aside from the fact that both have extended piano intros, the songs aren't alike at all.  The structures are very different.

But even Feel Euphoria isn't bad, its just not as good as others.

It's not very good in general.

I loved Feel Euphoria when it was first out, I think largely because it so greatly exceeded my expectations, but I have found that over time I rarely listen to it anymore, although East of Eden, West of Memphis is still a song I go to a lot.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on April 19, 2018, 06:20:57 AM
But even Feel Euphoria isn't bad, its just not as good as others.

It's not very good in general.

Snow 2nd last!?!   :omg:

Snow is a SB album I don't connect to.  I don't have answers why.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DTA on April 19, 2018, 06:24:54 AM
But even Feel Euphoria isn't bad, its just not as good as others.

It's not very good in general.

Snow 2nd last!?!   :omg:

I've never gotten into Snow either. It's never connected with me at all and while the other SB albums probably have 50+ plays, I think I've only listened to Snow in full about 10 times since 2002.

My ranking:

1. V
2. Day For Night (Healing Colors is the best Beard epic IMO)
3. X
4. The Oblivion Particle
5. Beware Of Darkness
6. The Light
7. Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep
8. The Kindness Of Strangers
9. Feel Euphoria
10. Spock's Beard
11. Octane
12. Snow
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on April 19, 2018, 06:25:56 AM
Aside from Disc 2 being a bit too long and padded with reprises, I love most of Snow.  That said, it is so damn long that it only gets like one full listen from me a year.  But there are 6-7 songs from it that are in my regular SB playlist rotation.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on April 19, 2018, 07:05:33 AM
Snow was the first record to come out after I became a fan with V. And then Snow was such a huge letdown for me.

I just can't connect with Snow, and I've tried many many times. Some of the songs are good, some are boring, the whole thing is too long and I don't care about the theme and other than it being a concept album it's not really progressive (but that in itself isn't the reason why I don't like it as much as others).

It isn't bad in the sense of it being a shit record, I just happen to like most of the other SB discs better.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on April 20, 2018, 07:14:19 AM
First review (yes there’s some singing by Nick):
https://progreport.com/spocks-beard-noise-floor-album-review/
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 20, 2018, 09:27:11 AM
I definitely agree with the point in that review about Alan Morse being one of the most under-recognized lead guitarists in prog. He's played some incredible solos over the years.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ProfessorPeart on April 20, 2018, 10:31:37 AM
I definitely agree with the point in that review about Alan Morse being one of the most under-recognized lead guitarists in prog. He's played some incredible solos over the years.

His solo in She Is Everything is quite possibly my all-time favorite. The emotion in that solo is heart-wrenching. Practically brings me to tears every time.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on April 20, 2018, 11:58:18 AM


His solo in She Is Everything is quite possibly my all-time favorite. The emotion in that solo is heart-wrenching. Practically brings me to tears every time.

YUP.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 20, 2018, 12:37:16 PM
Yeah, agreed on She Is Everything. My personal favourite is Waiting for Me. Starts in that quiet middle section, then builds to a glorious climax before the fast music comes back in and Ryo goes nuts on the keys.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on April 20, 2018, 06:04:26 PM
Alan Morse is a fantastic soloist, and She Is Everything and Waiting for Me are two of his best.  There is a certain lack of (for lack of a better term) refinement in the rest of his game, but when it comes to soloing, he almost always does a great job.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on April 20, 2018, 06:23:56 PM
She Is Everything's solo it a top 10 solo of all time for me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on April 21, 2018, 03:20:57 AM
The outro solo in Flow is the one that always comes to my mind first.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on April 21, 2018, 08:07:42 AM
The outro solo in Flow is the one that always comes to my mind first.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

Throw in Solitary Soul and Ghosts of Autumn and that would probably complete my top 5 solos by him (although I fear I am forgetting one, off the top of my head :lol).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 22, 2018, 03:19:49 AM
The outro solo in Flow is the one that always comes to my mind first.

Oh, I forgot about that one! Another awesome solo on the song that got me into The Kindness of Strangers.

There's a couple of solos in The Water which I also enjoy, from When It All Goes To Hell and Runnin' the Race.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on April 22, 2018, 11:26:11 AM
There are plenty of fantastic solos on the X album, most notably Jaws of life, From the darkness and The Man behind the curtain.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on April 22, 2018, 01:15:24 PM
There are plenty of fantastic solos on the X album, most notably Jaws of Heaven, From the darkness and The Man behind the curtain.

FTFY

And also, agreed. X has some great solos!

I'm not a guitarist, so I can't really recall a lot of Al's solos, but in general, he is a highly underrated soloist in the world of prog and guitarists in general.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on April 22, 2018, 01:36:26 PM
Jaws of Heaven and From the Darkness are two of my favorite Spock's songs (the former top 5, the latter top 10), and I had to think for a minute about where the guitar solos were in those songs. :facepalm: :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on April 22, 2018, 03:25:51 PM
There are plenty of fantastic solos on the X album, most notably Jaws of Heaven, From the darkness and The Man behind the curtain.

FTFY

-Marc.
How did this happen?  :facepalm: :rollin
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 23, 2018, 02:29:18 PM
The band have started posting short documentary videos ahead of the Noise Floor release. Interviews with Rich Mouser, John Boegehold and Ryo Okumoto, and studio footage. Very interesting if you're into this sort of thing.

To Breathe Another Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v93cCH0ICI)
Beginnings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeSLTZExvLE)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: MinistroRaven on April 23, 2018, 04:07:13 PM
From the press release I got today with promo album

Quote
Spock's Beard are a band who are in a continual state of evolution, as is always the case with genuinely creative musicians. And their new album, 'Noise Floor', fits perfectly into this process.
“We are always about evolution, not revolution. But what we have done this time is make the songs more melodic,” believes vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard. “We still love our crazy prog, but now appreciate how important it is to grab people's attention early on.”
“A lot of our songs on the previous album (2015’s 'The Oblivion Particle') took a little time to make an impact on people,” adds keyboard player Ryo Okumoto. “You had to really listen to them. But this time around, we have crafted music that is more immediate.”
As with all Spock's Beard songs, most of the new album was written by the individual members, and then brought to the rest of the band as high quality demos.
“We all do this type of thing in our home studios,” adds Leonard. “So, by the time they reach the stage where the entire band get to judge them, they are really developed, and therefore everyone can make a reasoned judgement.”
Much of what you will listen to here is very much the product of fresh inspiration from the Californian band.
“What we do is just gradually let the compositions percolate over a period of time,” explains Okumoto. “There is one song, 'To Breathe Another Day', where we took a part from a different song, because it worked a lot better in the new arrangement. That's what we do. Nothing is rigid, and everything's flexible. We delight in finding new ways to make things work.”
One key change on this album sees the return of drummer Nick D'Virgilio, who originally left in 2011. But both Leonard and Okumoto play down D'Virgilio's long term role.
“Well, we are very happy to have Nick back with us for the album,” says Leonard. “But right now, it does not go any further.”
“We would love Nick to be able to play live with us again,” adds Okumoto. “The trouble is that he has so many other commitments with his time that I doubt he can fit us into his schedule when it comes to touring. But even if we end up finding another live drummer, then we hope Nick will still be able to go into the studio with us in the future.”
There are also two violinists, a cello player, a viola player and an English horn featured on the album, thereby giving the sound a slightly more evocative and persuasive twist.
So, what can we expect from the new album? Leonard has little doubt about the best way to describe it.
“If you enjoy what we have been doing on the past two albums, then I am sure there will be much that will appeal. Some of the material this time is very bright and melodically appealing, while on the other hand there's also a lot of dark tracks as well. There's no connecting themes between the songs; it's not a concept album. But each song is its own entity.”
Spock's Beard began recording the album in June last year, and in all it took seven months to complete. But it
wasn't an album they worked on consistently during this period.
“We had other things to do at times during the seven months,” explains Okumoto. “So, we were not in the studio
all the time. The way things work with us, a lot of the recording is done in our own home studios, and then brought
together at a later date. Everyone in the band has a hand on the production side, but I do a lot of it with (engineer)
Rich Mouser. John (Boegehold, one of the band's regular writing partners) has a keen involvement when it comes to
the production side of the material he's written, and it's similar with Alan (Morse, guitar).”
“I suppose everyone in the band has a direct hand in the production, apart from Dave (Meros, bass) and myself,”
laughs Leonard. “Mind you, I do take an active interest in what happens in the studio with my songs!
“One thing with doing demos before we select the final list of songs is that you can end up with something one
person likes and the rest don't. It happened this time around for me, because there was one track I loved. But
nobody else was keen, so it was left off. However, this is a good process, because we are able to make informed
decisions on what would work, and what would not.”
And if you believe there's an amazing story behind the choice of the album title, then think again.
“We never like to use a particular song title as the overall title for the album,” says Leonard. “Nor do we like to
take a lyric from any song and use that. A lot of the time, it's a case of coming up with disconnected words, and
then seeing what works best. Usually, it's just a random phrase that paints an overall image to us. This is where
'Noise Floor' comes from. So, if you are searching for any deep and significant meaning behind the choice, then
sorry but I am going to have to disappoint you, ha, ha!”
Long term fans of Spock's Beard will find much to commend on what is the band's 13th studio album. Both Leonard
and Okumoto feel it is a natural development.
“What we have always strived to do with every album is take a step forward,” explains Leonard. “But not a giant
leap. We know what this band are all about, and the aim is always to ensure we don't repeat ourselves.”
“If you have enjoyed what we have done up until now, then I am sure you will like 'Noise Floor',” concludes
Okumoto. “It has all the elements people have come to expect from us, but pushed just a little onwards.”
Malcolm Dome
London, February 2018

I'm on my second listen and I must say that the album it's a grower.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 24, 2018, 02:06:17 AM
Quote
I'm on my second listen and I must say that the album it's a grower.

This is not enough information, give us more  :corn
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: MinistroRaven on April 24, 2018, 06:28:25 AM
Quote
I'm on my second listen and I must say that the album it's a grower.

This is not enough information, give us more  :corn

If you could write a review (that I could post on our online magazine) I could give you a promo copy of the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 24, 2018, 10:16:11 AM
Quote
I'm on my second listen and I must say that the album it's a grower.

This is not enough information, give us more  :corn

If you could write a review (that I could post on our online magazine) I could give you a promo copy of the album.

I would love to, but English is not my first language and I'm afraid people will notice that :(
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Nick on April 24, 2018, 11:47:18 AM
New review: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/spocks-beard-noise-floor/
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on April 24, 2018, 01:37:51 PM
Quote
I'm on my second listen and I must say that the album it's a grower.

This is not enough information, give us more  :corn

If you could write a review (that I could post on our online magazine) I could give you a promo copy of the album.

I'll write a review  ;)  :lol

I really just want to listen to the album. The behind-the-scenes stuff the band have been posting has really gotten me wanting to listen to this new album ASAP. This is going to be a long month to wait, but I'm glad the reviews that are out there have proven to be fairly positive. I hope it's the best of the three Leonard-Era albums, though beating BNADS might be tough (whose non-album tracks are as good as anything on the main album as well).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 24, 2018, 02:04:50 PM
Sorry M job’s already taken :O I’ll try my best with the language ;)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on April 24, 2018, 02:34:37 PM
That review talked about "the deluxe version" with the EP. Umm...isn't that the *only* version available? I haven't seen a "standard version" for sale without the 2nd disc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Nick on April 24, 2018, 03:11:11 PM
That review talked about "the deluxe version" with the EP. Umm...isn't that the *only* version available? I haven't seen a "standard version" for sale without the 2nd disc.

That a good and fair catch, I'll see what I can do about having that edited.

Edited: Done, thank you.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: MinistroRaven on April 24, 2018, 09:42:26 PM
Quote
I'm on my second listen and I must say that the album it's a grower.


Sadly it isn’t growing on me.

NOTE: I will send you the promo tomorrow for your review.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Nick on April 25, 2018, 06:18:51 AM
We had a really nice discussion with Ted last night for our Talking Perspectives series, and I can't wait for you guys to hear it as he went into a lot of insights about the songwriting and dynamics within the band. That said we have a second half to record and it won't be out till a week from now, but it will be worth the wait.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: kaos2900 on April 25, 2018, 07:06:25 AM
With the new album coming I went back and listened to The Oblivion Particle. It was a little better than I remember but it's still one of the weakest Beard albums. Not nearly enough melody for my liking. I did listen to the new song and LOVED it so I'm hoping the new album is more in the vein of Brief Nocturne and not Oblivion Particle.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on April 25, 2018, 07:36:42 AM
With the new album coming I went back and listened to The Oblivion Particle. It was a little better than I remember but it's still one of the weakest Beard albums. Not nearly enough melody for my liking. I did listen to the new song and LOVED it so I'm hoping the new album is more in the vein of Brief Nocturne and not Oblivion Particle.

I did exactly the same thing :D

I liked Oblivion a bit more than most SB fans, and last time I checked, I even liked it better than Brief Nocturnes. A Better Way To Fly is one of the best SB songs ever for me, NM-/NDV- or TL-era.
One of the few things I could complain about is that most of the album was indeed written by John Boegehold, which I don't understand since the band has proven that they're very competent to write their own (damn good!) songs on X and Brief Nocturnes. The three albums before had some amazing songs as well, such as On A Perfect Day or She Is Everything.
Back to Oblivion: There are some small things you could criticize (like the drum beat in the instrumental part of The Center Line), but overall I think it's an underrated album.

I'm looking forward to hearing what Nick (our Nick, not NDV) talked about with Ted. Since they talked about the songwriting, and the promotional posts on FB etc implied that they all contributed stuff to the album, I'm guessing that maybe this one was composed mostly by the band (?).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Nick on April 25, 2018, 07:37:44 AM
With the new album coming I went back and listened to The Oblivion Particle. It was a little better than I remember but it's still one of the weakest Beard albums. Not nearly enough melody for my liking. I did listen to the new song and LOVED it so I'm hoping the new album is more in the vein of Brief Nocturne and not Oblivion Particle.

I did exactly the same thing :D

I liked Oblivion a bit more than most SB fans, and last time I checked, I even liked it better than Brief Nocturnes. A Better Way To Fly is one of the best SB songs ever for me, NM-/NDV- or TL-era.
One of the few things I could complain about is that most of the album was indeed written by John Boegehold, which I don't understand since the band has proven that they're very competent to write their own (damn good!) songs on X and Brief Nocturnes. The three albums before had some amazing songs as well, such as On A Perfect Day or She Is Everything.
Back to Oblivion: There are some small things you could criticize (like the drum beat in the instrumental part of The Center Line), but overall I think it's an underrated album.

I'm looking forward to hearing what Nick (our Nick, not NDV) talked about with Ted. Since they talked about the songwriting, and the promotional posts on FB etc implied that they all contributed stuff to the album, I'm guessing that maybe this one was composed mostly by the band (?).


Ted will go over who did what, but generally speaking they tuned the songs as a band, but the songs were all essentially written by one or two people. John on a track, Ryo and Alan on a track, Ted on a track, etc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ytserush on April 27, 2018, 07:17:10 PM
Snow was the first record to come out after I became a fan with V. And then Snow was such a huge letdown for me.

I just can't connect with Snow, and I've tried many many times. Some of the songs are good, some are boring, the whole thing is too long and I don't care about the theme and other than it being a concept album it's not really progressive (but that in itself isn't the reason why I don't like it as much as others).

It isn't bad in the sense of it being a shit record, I just happen to like most of the other SB discs better.

It's my least favorite Spock's Beard album by far.  It seems like the spirit that drove the music from V and before left for that album and resurfaced again on Testimony.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on April 27, 2018, 08:33:52 PM
One of the few things I could complain about is that most of the album was indeed written by John Boegehold, which I don't understand since the band has proven that they're very competent to write their own (damn good!) songs on X and Brief Nocturnes. The three albums before had some amazing songs as well, such as On A Perfect Day or She Is Everything.
Back to Oblivion: There are some small things you could criticize (like the drum beat in the instrumental part of The Center Line), but overall I think it's an underrated album.

I'm looking forward to hearing what Nick (our Nick, not NDV) talked about with Ted. Since they talked about the songwriting, and the promotional posts on FB etc implied that they all contributed stuff to the album, I'm guessing that maybe this one was composed mostly by the band (?).

I think a lot of the songs from the NDV-era were NDV's. Just looking at SB9, 5 of the 11 songs were penned by him or him and others in the band. Going backwards to Octane, other than the Flash suite (which was written by the whole band and Boegehold), the other 5 songs on the main album had 4 with NDV credits, and 3 of the 5 bonus tracks had him credited as well. And further back, 5 of the 8 main album tracks for Feel Euphoria have NDV credits as well.

It wasn't until X that NDV didn't compose or write (nearly) half of the music for an album. X was half Meros, a quarter Alan, and one each by Ryo and NDV, with Stan and John peppered throughout for music and lyrics.

Interestingly, it wasn't until BNADS that John Boegehold had a non-partnered writing credit for music: "Something Very Strange" and "Postcards From Perdition". Up until that album, most of Boegehold's songs were co-written mostly with Dave Meros, though he has written with Al, Ryo, Nick, and Stan. So I also do wonder what prompted the band to receive FIVE songs solely by Boegehold and use them for TOP, rather than write WITH him as they had done in the past. Maybe he had songs already done that they were happy to play, so not much writing or re-writing had to be done? Not that I am complaining because I think the Boegehold songs TOP are pretty great (especially "To Be Free Again" and "Disappear").

I'll be interested in seeing all the writing credits for NF, though if the music is good, it won't matter who wrote what to me. At the end of the day (har har), whether or not the PERFORMERS in SB wrote the music isn't very important - it's the performance itself that matters more, eh? Even is Ausmus and/or Boegehold wrote a song, that's still Al ripping out a guitar solo, or Ryo doing some crazy Hammond riff, or Dave doing an amazing bass groove. It's still Spock's Beard, through and through. That's just my thoughts.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Nick on May 01, 2018, 09:39:15 AM
Here you are folks: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/features/talking-perspectives-episode-four/

Really enjoyed talking with Ted again, and hopefully you enjoy the sections past that as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Curious Orange on May 02, 2018, 03:31:52 AM

I liked Oblivion a bit more than most SB fans, and last time I checked, I even liked it better than Brief Nocturnes. A Better Way To Fly is one of the best SB songs ever for me, NM-/NDV- or TL-era.

Agreed, on first listen it's a bloody noise, but give it a few spins and it reveals itself as an amazing album - something genuinely new and different. I love how this sort of music is called "progressive", yet most fans of it don't seem to want any progression - show them something new and they're not interested, they just want the same old thing over and over!
Totally agree about ABWTF - one of my fave SB songs too!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 02, 2018, 06:15:09 PM
Here you are folks: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/features/talking-perspectives-episode-four/

Really enjoyed talking with Ted again, and hopefully you enjoy the sections past that as well.

Thanks for sharing! I listened to most of this as I was going to bed last night, and from what I remember, I was really intrigued by the fact that Ted acknowledged just how much of TOP was written by John Boegehold, and that they tried to course-correct themselves on that front for NF, having songs written by more of the band members this time around, though with John and Stan still helping out. Glad to see Al, Dave, Ryo, and Ted still contributing, and I'll be interested in hearing what they've brought to the album. I always enjoy Ryo's instrumentals, and hearing about Al and Ted doing some acoustic stuff really brings a smile to my face - I love when they incorporate that into their music.

I'm hoping for a more varied album, something less homogenous and a bit more experimental and adventurous! It's a bit sad that Ted never got that bridge he wanted for that one song, eventually relegated to the EP disc, though it would be fun if they revisit it someday for their next album and re-record it with a proggy bridge! I'm wondering just what kept the other songs on the EP from making it to the main album, other than limiting themselves to an hour-long album.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 05, 2018, 12:26:56 AM
Here you are folks: https://www.sonicperspectives.com/features/talking-perspectives-episode-four/

Really enjoyed talking with Ted again, and hopefully you enjoy the sections past that as well.

Really enjoyed listening to this. Great to hear some more detail about the album.

(And not really for this thread, but I went on to listen to the Enchant interview, and I'm really excited to learn that they're getting the InsideOut box set treatment fairly soon. Those are good boxes.)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on May 05, 2018, 02:52:10 AM

I liked Oblivion a bit more than most SB fans, and last time I checked, I even liked it better than Brief Nocturnes. A Better Way To Fly is one of the best SB songs ever for me, NM-/NDV- or TL-era.

Agreed, on first listen it's a bloody noise, but give it a few spins and it reveals itself as an amazing album - something genuinely new and different. I love how this sort of music is called "progressive", yet most fans of it don't seem to want any progression - show them something new and they're not interested, they just want the same old thing over and over!
Totally agree about ABWTF - one of my fave SB songs too!
Count me in as another person that loved A Better way to fly. It's truly an original, different piece. However, there are several songs on that album that tried something new and mostly fell flat. It's not about being different - it's about being different and succeeding with it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 05, 2018, 05:22:33 AM
A Better Way to Fly is definitely among my favourites on the album. I'm really digging Hell's Not Enough too. I think the only three songs I like but don't really love are Tides of Time, Minion and Get Out While You Can.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on May 09, 2018, 05:46:26 AM
I thought this interview was pretty cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RETaaYOxi1c&t=1420s

The most interesting part was that Neal initially considered Ted as the vocalist for Flying Colors. I feel bad for him just being worked up about working with Neal and then realizing who else is in the group only after being informed that he didn't get picked. I would have been depressed as well. But oh well, Casey is the perfect guy for the band and Ted is in Spock's Beard, so it's a win-win for me.

EDIT: Also, anyone willing to speculate which band he's talking about at 51:55? I'm going with Rush, although it might be a REALLY long shot.  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Ninjabait on May 09, 2018, 07:02:01 AM
Okay, so I just listened to To Breathe Another Day (which slipped under my radar somehow?) and it's alright. It's not bad by any means but it doesn't really jump out at me at all outside of the instrumental. I don't regret listening to it but it's not something I would go out of my way to listen to. Also, that video is awful. Like...awful. Eesh.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 09, 2018, 10:41:01 PM
Ryo posted a video on Facebook with the third part of the Noise Floor song documentaries, this time covering the song "One So Wise", which seems to have been written by Stan Ausmus and Ryo. There's some tasty Ryo keyboards in there, and at one point, 24 separate keyboard tracks during the song, which must have been FUN for Rich to mix! Lots of organize and analog sounds, as well, none of those keyboard patches or soundbanks, just real Mellotrons and organs and some such... (I'm not really a keyboard guy, so...).

This one sounds pretty good, and I cannot wait to hear the full song.

Only 15 days until the album drops, and the wait is KILLING me. Spock's Beard is one of my favorite bands so whenever a new album is about to drop, I get antsy waiting for it. In the mean time, I've been giving the Enchant albums some spins to get my head in the Ted-Leonard-Space for when I get to hear him sing new SB tunes!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 10, 2018, 04:11:08 AM
Ryo posted a video on Facebook with the third part of the Noise Floor song documentaries, this time covering the song "One So Wise", which seems to have been written by Stan Ausmus and Ryo. There's some tasty Ryo keyboards in there, and at one point, 24 separate keyboard tracks during the song, which must have been FUN for Rich to mix! Lots of organize and analog sounds, as well, none of those keyboard patches or soundbanks, just real Mellotrons and organs and some such... (I'm not really a keyboard guy, so...).

This one sounds pretty good, and I cannot wait to hear the full song.

Only 15 days until the album drops, and the wait is KILLING me. Spock's Beard is one of my favorite bands so whenever a new album is about to drop, I get antsy waiting for it. In the mean time, I've been giving the Enchant albums some spins to get my head in the Ted-Leonard-Space for when I get to hear him sing new SB tunes!

-Marc.

To say the least, it's worth the wait. Finishing up my review right now :)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: MinistroRaven on May 10, 2018, 04:01:24 PM
Ryo posted a video on Facebook with the third part of the Noise Floor song documentaries, this time covering the song "One So Wise", which seems to have been written by Stan Ausmus and Ryo. There's some tasty Ryo keyboards in there, and at one point, 24 separate keyboard tracks during the song, which must have been FUN for Rich to mix! Lots of organize and analog sounds, as well, none of those keyboard patches or soundbanks, just real Mellotrons and organs and some such... (I'm not really a keyboard guy, so...).

This one sounds pretty good, and I cannot wait to hear the full song.

Only 15 days until the album drops, and the wait is KILLING me. Spock's Beard is one of my favorite bands so whenever a new album is about to drop, I get antsy waiting for it. In the mean time, I've been giving the Enchant albums some spins to get my head in the Ted-Leonard-Space for when I get to hear him sing new SB tunes!

-Marc.

To say the least, it's worth the wait. Finishing up my review right now :)

Here's your review Fritzinger, I just pucblished today.

https://lotsofmuzic.weebly.com/home/noise-floor-latest-album-of-spocks-beard-review-by-friedrich-stenzel

Thanks for stepping up and helping us with this one, you did a great job.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gzarruk on May 10, 2018, 04:17:29 PM
Sorry this post isn't related to the new album, but I listened to On a Perfect Day today after a while and, man, I really love that song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ytserush on May 10, 2018, 07:49:15 PM
Sorry this post isn't related to the new album, but I listened to On a Perfect Day today after a while and, man, I really love that song.

To me, That's the album where they finally found their legs after Neil left and it's been great since.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 10, 2018, 09:11:06 PM
Sorry this post isn't related to the new album, but I listened to On a Perfect Day today after a while and, man, I really love that song.

To me, That's the album where they finally found their legs after Neil left and it's been great since.

Young? Peart? Armstrong?  :lol ;)

While I don't ENTIRELY agree, I think SB9 does have some great stuff on it that does focus their sound more so than their first two albums in the Post-Neal Era. Feel Euphoria relied too heavily on Nick's writing and trying to sound TOO different while Octane tried a bit too hard to pull it back in another direction. SB9 does some new and interesting things, but by not playing it TOO safe, they definitely created an album that was varied stylistically, in the same sense as other albums like DFN and TKOS. Not the SAME sounds, but kind of the same variety over-all. I think X definitely hit it out of the park, though. It was a clear progression through those four albums, culminating in a great combination of songs that forms X.

I have HIGH hopes for XV if Ted and the gang get that far after Noise Floor. Maybe in 2024-2025? :rollin

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gzarruk on May 10, 2018, 09:34:05 PM
Sorry this post isn't related to the new album, but I listened to On a Perfect Day today after a while and, man, I really love that song.

To me, That's the album where they finally found their legs after Neal left and it's been great since.

I agree on that, excepting for TOP, which feels a little weird to me.

Btw, does anybody know if Nick has any writing credits on Noise Floor? Or he’s only featured as a session player?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 11, 2018, 12:04:02 AM
https://youtu.be/7jU3Y1v-XNs

"Somebody's Home" is up on the official band YouTube page.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: nobloodyname on May 11, 2018, 12:07:32 AM
As of three minutes later, it appears to have been taken down :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 11, 2018, 12:21:50 AM
Ryo posted a video on Facebook with the third part of the Noise Floor song documentaries, this time covering the song "One So Wise", which seems to have been written by Stan Ausmus and Ryo. There's some tasty Ryo keyboards in there, and at one point, 24 separate keyboard tracks during the song, which must have been FUN for Rich to mix! Lots of organize and analog sounds, as well, none of those keyboard patches or soundbanks, just real Mellotrons and organs and some such... (I'm not really a keyboard guy, so...).

This one sounds pretty good, and I cannot wait to hear the full song.

Only 15 days until the album drops, and the wait is KILLING me. Spock's Beard is one of my favorite bands so whenever a new album is about to drop, I get antsy waiting for it. In the mean time, I've been giving the Enchant albums some spins to get my head in the Ted-Leonard-Space for when I get to hear him sing new SB tunes!

-Marc.

To say the least, it's worth the wait. Finishing up my review right now :)

Here's your review Fritzinger, I just pucblished today.

https://lotsofmuzic.weebly.com/home/noise-floor-latest-album-of-spocks-beard-review-by-friedrich-stenzel

Thanks for stepping up and helping us with this one, you did a great job.

Thanks! Ryo just contacted me liking my review  :o


On A Perfect Day was the first song I ever knew by the band, and I still love it to this day. For the rest of the album, I think it would have been even better if they eliminated Is This Love, Wherever you stand and maybe the Slowcrash. Otherwise I like every song on the record.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 11, 2018, 12:39:19 AM
As of three minutes later, it appears to have been taken down :lol

Still shows up in my YouTube history and loads for me just fine...weird.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: nobloodyname on May 11, 2018, 12:49:11 AM
Maybe it's geolocked or account locked for some reason? Simply states 'this video is not available' for me in Chrome (logged in) and Edge (not logged in).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: kaos2900 on May 11, 2018, 06:46:49 AM
Love both songs that have been officially released and I'm already optimistic that this will be much better than the previous album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: MinistroRaven on May 11, 2018, 08:06:16 AM
Ryo posted a video on Facebook with the third part of the Noise Floor song documentaries, this time covering the song "One So Wise", which seems to have been written by Stan Ausmus and Ryo. There's some tasty Ryo keyboards in there, and at one point, 24 separate keyboard tracks during the song, which must have been FUN for Rich to mix! Lots of organize and analog sounds, as well, none of those keyboard patches or soundbanks, just real Mellotrons and organs and some such... (I'm not really a keyboard guy, so...).

This one sounds pretty good, and I cannot wait to hear the full song.

Only 15 days until the album drops, and the wait is KILLING me. Spock's Beard is one of my favorite bands so whenever a new album is about to drop, I get antsy waiting for it. In the mean time, I've been giving the Enchant albums some spins to get my head in the Ted-Leonard-Space for when I get to hear him sing new SB tunes!

-Marc.

To say the least, it's worth the wait. Finishing up my review right now :)

Here's your review Fritzinger, I just pucblished today.

https://lotsofmuzic.weebly.com/home/noise-floor-latest-album-of-spocks-beard-review-by-friedrich-stenzel

Thanks for stepping up and helping us with this one, you did a great job.

Thanks! Ryo just contacted me liking my review  :o


NICE!!!!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ariich on May 11, 2018, 09:08:00 AM
I've given the promo a handful of listens, and I'm digging it. Very melodic and a lot simpler than The Oblivion Particle (which I also liked, but good to change things up).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on May 11, 2018, 11:01:29 AM
Fritzinger, congratulations for this VERY well written review! I'm glad you have such a good opinion on the D'Virgilio era of the band as I do! :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: the keyboard wizard on May 11, 2018, 12:50:48 PM
I've given the promo a handful of listens, and I'm digging it. Very melodic and a lot simpler than The Oblivion Particle (which I also liked, but good to change things up).
I second that and I agree with Fritzinger: their best album since X (which is for me one of their bests).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gzarruk on May 11, 2018, 01:55:48 PM
I've given the promo a handful of listens, and I'm digging it. Very melodic and a lot simpler than The Oblivion Particle (which I also liked, but good to change things up).
I second that and I agree with Fritzinger: their best album since X (which is for me one of their bests).

Better than Brief Nocturnes? :eek
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 12, 2018, 03:45:15 AM
Thanks guys for the nice words :)

I like it better than Brief Nocturnes! But I don't agree that it's that much simpler than Oblivion. But maybe it's the catchier melodies that give that impression...

But now I have freakin study man, I have a huge physiology exam on monday  :rollin
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on May 17, 2018, 04:20:38 AM
New 'Beard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_j1MXXqj1w
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 17, 2018, 05:11:20 AM
I never quite understood what lyric videos are supposed to mean. Well, yeah it's a pretty inexpensive way to put some images under a song for youtube, but i dunno. I'd rather prefer the video of To Breathe Another Day. I think the Submerged video from Brief Nocturnes was also pretty good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: nobloodyname on May 17, 2018, 05:50:30 AM
New 'Beard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_j1MXXqj1w

It finally works after the non-start a week or so ago :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 17, 2018, 06:00:58 AM
New 'Beard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_j1MXXqj1w

That did about as much for me as the first song that came out a month or so ago.  In other words, not much.

Hoping those songs grow on me and/or that the rest of the album is better.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on May 17, 2018, 10:28:13 AM
I never quite understood what lyric videos are supposed to mean.

I play in a cover band, and I've noticed that vocalists often use lyric videos to learn the songs.  I'm sure it helps to hear the song and see the words at the same time, sort of the modern version of listening to it while reading the lyrics on the record sleeve.

They seem to suffer from the same problem that lyrics at online lyric sites have; people get the words wrong sometimes, and now there are people out there singing the same misheard lyrics, never bothering to learn the right ones.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 17, 2018, 11:49:48 AM
I'd rather prefer the video of To Breathe Another Day.

I honestly never thought I'd see these words in a sentence together. Have you even seen it? It's ridiculously cheesy!

Anyway, on a more serious note: I noticed that Amazon UK now has the release date for Noise Floor as being June 1st, not May 25th, so if you've ordered it there, you've got to wait a week longer than expected. Thankfully I haven't pre-ordered yet, so I shall have to do it the old fashioned way...going to the record shop and picking it up myself.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 19, 2018, 03:51:19 AM
I'd rather prefer the video of To Breathe Another Day.

I honestly never thought I'd see these words in a sentence together. Have you even seen it? It's ridiculously cheesy!

Anyway, on a more serious note: I noticed that Amazon UK now has the release date for Noise Floor as being June 1st, not May 25th, so if you've ordered it there, you've got to wait a week longer than expected. Thankfully I haven't pre-ordered yet, so I shall have to do it the old fashioned way...going to the record shop and picking it up myself.

Sorry, I forgot to answer, YES I saw it and I don't think it's cheesy, I think it's funny :D
It‘s low (no?) budget and has a huge "we don't give too many fucks here" stamp on it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 21, 2018, 12:22:57 PM
4 days until release, and I'm listening to some Spock's to get me in the mood. Listening now to The Kindness of Strangers. I can't remember if it was in this thread or not, but I'm sure we were talking somewhere about favourite Alan Morse solos. I completely forgot to mention Harm's Way. I looove that solo!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 21, 2018, 02:13:39 PM
4 days until release, and I'm listening to some Spock's to get me in the mood. Listening now to The Kindness of Strangers. I can't remember if it was in this thread or not, but I'm sure we were talking somewhere about favourite Alan Morse solos. I completely forgot to mention Harm's Way. I looove that solo!

I definitely agree with the point in that review about Alan Morse being one of the most under-recognized lead guitarists in prog. He's played some incredible solos over the years.

It was yourself, about a month ago, that brought up Al's solos, so yeah, it was in this very thread. :lol

Hard to believe it is four days away, I am so excited! I haven't been this pumped for a new album since TSOAD by The Neal Morse Band. I hope it lives up to the greatness of other recent SB albums!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 22, 2018, 12:15:58 PM
4 days until release, and I'm listening to some Spock's to get me in the mood. Listening now to The Kindness of Strangers. I can't remember if it was in this thread or not, but I'm sure we were talking somewhere about favourite Alan Morse solos. I completely forgot to mention Harm's Way. I looove that solo!

It was yourself, about a month ago, that brought up Al's solos, so yeah, it was in this very thread. :lol

Hard to believe it is four days away, I am so excited! I haven't been this pumped for a new album since TSOAD by The Neal Morse Band. I hope it lives up to the greatness of other recent SB albums!

-Marc.

Oh yeah. I might have even already mentioned Harm's Way in that. Oh well.

I'm spinning a couple of Spock's Beard albums this week to get myself in the mood ahead of Friday. Yesterday was The Kindness of Strangers, and now tonight I'm listening to V. I'll probably listen to The Oblivion Particle on Thursday evening. Maybe even Brief Nocturnes too.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 23, 2018, 12:39:40 PM
So the CD release for US buyers got delayed because of an problem with the artwork (printing problem?) until early June.. but now over on Facebook someone who got theirs early says at 1:18 on the first track there's about 5 seconds of "some other band" inserted in. 

Dave Meros checked his copy just moments ago and confirmed that his also does it. So there may be further delays to fix this issue (if they decide to at all).

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on May 23, 2018, 12:41:46 PM
Whoa, that's gotta suck.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 23, 2018, 12:42:44 PM
Dave just posted:

Quote from: Dave Meros
Well, just by what I've read and the fact that my own copy has the same issue, I"m thinking that ALL the Noise Floor CDs are defective, which is a pretty huge problem.

I just checked the DDP master (the file that gets sent in to the manufacturer), it's perfect, so it was a problem in pressing.

I have a message into InsideOut, I'll keep you updated.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ich bin besser on May 23, 2018, 01:43:28 PM
Wow, now that is huge, indeed...  :tdwn

On a positive note: my sister in the USA just received the Golden Record today (which she is supposed to carry over to Germany for me).  :metal

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 23, 2018, 06:19:37 PM
Not to sound totally clueless :lol, but this will impact the digital versions?  I rarely buy physical CDs anymore, so my plan was to get this digitally.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 23, 2018, 07:06:19 PM
Not to sound totally clueless :lol, but this will impact the digital versions?  I rarely buy physical CDs anymore, so my plan was to get this digitally.

I'm going to go on a limb and say that it won't impact the digital versions as Dave himself said his masters were perfect, so unless all digital outlets rip from a CD source, which I don't think they do, all of the digital versions should come from the record company's digital masters.

And yeah, this is a huge bummer. I pre-ordered from Burning Shed, so my copy won't even get to the US until early June, I'm sure, so I may have to get a digital version to tide myself over until the physical version comes, but I'll wait and see what others say about digital versions first before I commit. Does anyone know if we can pay the band directly for a digital version? I'd like to give them the money directly (like with BBT and their Bandcamp page), if at all possible.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on May 24, 2018, 05:42:52 AM
Not to sound totally clueless :lol, but this will impact the digital versions?  I rarely buy physical CDs anymore, so my plan was to get this digitally.

My thought exactly.  I'm not overly concerned, as it'll be a digital download (legally) for me.  There's only a handful of bands I'll shell out for to get 'grander' physical packages.  Spock's isn't one of them.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: kaos2900 on May 24, 2018, 06:45:22 AM
That must be insanely frustrating. How does something like that even happen?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 24, 2018, 07:28:35 AM
That must be insanely frustrating. How does something like that even happen?

I'd like to know too. 

John Boegehold identified it as: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhMc-3D5Wc 

How does an 11/12 year old song that may not have had a pressing recently blip into the new Spock's Beard during pressing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on May 24, 2018, 07:46:25 AM
Dream Evil!?!?!!  Seriously.   :facepalm:  I didn't know Dream Evil was ever with Inside Out - they certainly aren't at the moment.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on May 24, 2018, 07:48:19 AM
In the control room of the CD plant...

Hey man, what'cha listening to?

(removes headphones, leans back) The new Spock's Beard.  We're pressing 'em now.

(leans on console, accidentally hitting some switch)  Oops, sorry.  (flips it back)

(turns around)  "Sorry?"  What did you do?

Umm... nothing.  Look, I gotta go.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 24, 2018, 07:50:51 AM
Dream Evil!?!?!!  Seriously.   :facepalm:  I didn't know Dream Evil was ever with Inside Out - they certainly aren't at the moment.

I'd never heard of them until this.. lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Ninjabait on May 24, 2018, 07:53:36 AM
Not to sound totally clueless :lol, but this will impact the digital versions?  I rarely buy physical CDs anymore, so my plan was to get this digitally.

I'm going to go on a limb and say that it won't impact the digital versions as Dave himself said his masters were perfect, so unless all digital outlets rip from a CD source, which I don't think they do, all of the digital versions should come from the record company's digital masters.

And yeah, this is a huge bummer. I pre-ordered from Burning Shed, so my copy won't even get to the US until early June, I'm sure, so I may have to get a digital version to tide myself over until the physical version comes, but I'll wait and see what others say about digital versions first before I commit. Does anyone know if we can pay the band directly for a digital version? I'd like to give them the money directly (like with BBT and their Bandcamp page), if at all possible.

-Marc.

I can only talk from my experience working through companies like TuneCore, but from what I've seen the general practice nowadays is to send audio files like .mp3 or .wav directly to them. No idea what they do with older albums.

And here's what appears to be their bandcamp (https://spocksbeard.bandcamp.com/music).I don't know if it'll be available there since it doesn't seem up to date lol. Here's their website too (https://www.spocksbeard.com/discography.html), although I don't know if it'll be available through there.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on May 24, 2018, 08:06:41 AM
Amazon told me that my cd just shipped (Germany), let's see if we have the same problems in Europe.

And didn't they have problems with cd pressing before? Or was it Neal Morse, or is my memory just bad?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 24, 2018, 10:04:51 AM
from Dave:

Quote from: Dave Meros
UPDATE: The defective CDs seem to be ONLY the ones included in the LPs. This includes all colors (gold, white, black, transparent yellow). Apparently those were manufactured first and they caught the error before the main release digipack CDs were pressed.

So if you ordered the CD digipack version, don't worry, you won't get a CD with the error.

That's all I know right now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on May 24, 2018, 10:07:48 AM
In the control room of the CD plant...

Hey man, what'cha listening to?

(removes headphones, leans back) The new Spock's Beard.  We're pressing 'em now.

(leans on console, accidentally hitting some switch)  Oops, sorry.  (flips it back)

(turns around)  "Sorry?"  What did you do?

Umm... nothing.  Look, I gotta go.

Don't worry, I'm sure no one will notice anything different on that batch.

Updated.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 24, 2018, 10:12:40 AM
Man, I am so glad I've read this now. I'll probably hold back on buying the album tomorrow then. At least until we have confirmation that UK copies are OK. But why don't these things get spotted beforehand?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on May 24, 2018, 10:17:11 AM
So they noticed the error but still send the cds out WITHOUT noticing the recipients or the band in some way? And gave this information out only after they were asked by Dave. Seems like there are professionals at work.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 24, 2018, 10:19:51 AM
InsideOut aren't exactly crowning themselves with glory on this either. There's a few things about the pre-album build up I'm not 100% happy with with regards to how the label are handling the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 24, 2018, 10:27:16 AM
So they noticed the error but still send the cds out WITHOUT noticing the recipients or the band in some way? And gave this information out only after they were asked by Dave. Seems like there are professionals at work.  :facepalm:

Right? IO should have told Spock's about this slip up first and foremost and then anyone who had ordered the LP with the bundled CD.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 24, 2018, 11:00:04 AM
I think they noticed midway through packing the CDs in the vinyl sets as some folks have received their vinyl without any CDs in them, so it seems they probably stopped inserting them at some point. Hopefully those folks get their discs eventually!

Glad my 2 copies won't (hopefully) have the defect - just got my shipping notification from Burning Shed this morning, and I ordered the Japanese version from CDJapan last night as well.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on May 24, 2018, 11:05:10 AM
In the control room of the CD plant...

Hey man, what'cha listening to?

(removes headphones, leans back) The new Spock's Beard.  We're pressing 'em now.

(leans on console, accidentally hitting some switch)  Oops, sorry.  (flips it back)

(turns around)  "Sorry?"  What did you do?

Umm... nothing.  Look, I gotta go.

Don't worry, I'm sure no one will notice anything different on that batch.

Updated.

Yep.  Those vinyl freaks will probably never play the CDs anyway.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 24, 2018, 11:58:52 AM
Spinning both Brief Nocturnes and The Oblivion Particle this evening. Can't believe the former is 5 years old already! "I Know Your Secret" is a belter of a track! I love the way they progged up* the chorus to give Ted room to take breath before the next line. It'd be a bit of a mouthful if it was in 8/4.

(Progged up = Added an extra beat)

DISCLAIMER: This is just my theory. But I like the theory.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 24, 2018, 12:58:54 PM
Amazon told me that my cd just shipped (Germany), let's see if we have the same problems in Europe.

And didn't they have problems with cd pressing before? Or was it Neal Morse, or is my memory just bad?

They had some problems with pressing before with X. Since that album was only seconds under 80 minutes there was some problem with Jaws Of Heaven. I actually still have one of the mispressings. The CD makes weird noises towards the end and the songs ends a few seconds before it should end.

They said the ones who had a wrong pressing could have a new one without extra payment (or so). I think I even wanted a new one, but it never arrived... But I don't blame them. They did everything on their own (also had no label then) and these things happen.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 24, 2018, 02:48:14 PM
Amazon told me that my cd just shipped (Germany), let's see if we have the same problems in Europe.

And didn't they have problems with cd pressing before? Or was it Neal Morse, or is my memory just bad?

They had some problems with pressing before with X. Since that album was only seconds under 80 minutes there was some problem with Jaws Of Heaven. I actually still have one of the mispressings. The CD makes weird noises towards the end and the songs ends a few seconds before it should end.

They said the ones who had a wrong pressing could have a new one without extra payment (or so). I think I even wanted a new one, but it never arrived... But I don't blame them. They did everything on their own (also had no label then) and these things happen.

Oh, I remember that! The band's correspondence had sent me a download link to "Jaws Of Heaven" in the meantime, while they shipped out (very quickly) replacements for the discs of the original LE version (which had the issue with the ending of the album skipping).

I actually have THREE versions of the album then - the original defective LE version, the replacement LE version, and the regular retail release that doesn't include "Their Names Escape Me", which I bought because some of the tracks were longer (most notably "From The Darkness"), and I wanted the longest version of the album I could make, which happens to be about 80:08 or so.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 25, 2018, 01:21:27 AM
Yeah, on the standard version of X (ie. the one without Their Names Escape Me), From the Darkness is about 15 seconds longer, give or take.

Also, HAPPY ALBUM RELEASE DAY, FOLKS! :caffeine:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 25, 2018, 01:25:04 AM
Didn't even know that! But are those 15 seconds of any significance?

Happy release day y'all
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on May 25, 2018, 01:36:53 AM
My cd should arrive today but I'm not there to listen to it. Hopefully I can sneak in a listen during the weekend. I'm fairly excited.  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 25, 2018, 03:46:43 AM
Or not release day, it seems. I couldn't find it anywhere, and Amazon has it released on June 1st. This whole thing has been a complete and utter shambles. I am absolutely fuming!!!  >:( >:( >:( Looks like I'll have to order it on Amazon and wait a whole nother week.

Tbh, I started being concerned about the way this album has been dealt with by InsideOut when they said in interviews that the label decided what tracks were on the main album and what were on the sham of a "bonus disc". It's a disgrace how they have treated one of the pioneering progressive rock bands of our time. InsideOut have become part of The Music Industry™ now, supporting only The Big Money rather than letting the creators decide what's done with their music. They are The Problem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE (12:15pm): So I've calmed down a bit now. Apparently the digital version is released today, but the physical CD release isn't until next Friday, June 1st. So I've "pre-ordered" it and will get the physical disc next week, but I've been able to add the digital version to my player now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 25, 2018, 06:26:42 AM
For those of you who can't hear the album yet, maybe this mini-documentary about Bulletproof will cheer you up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH1-RietveM
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on May 25, 2018, 07:15:32 AM
I'm on the first listen, but One So Wise is love at first hearing!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Ninjabait on May 25, 2018, 10:30:57 AM
Just finished listening and it's alright. First three tracks and Box of Spiders are probably the stand outs, and Box of Spiders takes a little bit to get going. Disc 2 was probably some of the weakest songs on the album. Least favorite SB album I've heard so far, but it's not bad by any means.

3.5/5 is probably my final verdict.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 25, 2018, 11:19:23 AM
Or not release day, it seems. I couldn't find it anywhere, and Amazon has it released on June 1st. This whole thing has been a complete and utter shambles. I am absolutely fuming!!!  >:( >:( >:( Looks like I'll have to order it on Amazon and wait a whole nother week.

Delays in the US have been because of an issue with the artwork, so production had to be delayed, at leas that's what members of the band have said on Facebook.

Tbh, I started being concerned about the way this album has been dealt with by InsideOut when they said in interviews that the label decided what tracks were on the main album and what were on the sham of a "bonus disc". It's a disgrace how they have treated one of the pioneering progressive rock bands of our time. InsideOut have become part of The Music Industry™ now, supporting only The Big Money rather than letting the creators decide what's done with their music. They are The Problem.

It's not really a bonus disc, per se, as I'm fairly certain that all versions of the album have those four extra songs on it, so it's not like we're NOT getting them. The label, or even the band themselves, could have just chosen NOT to release them, but both the band and label gave them all to us, so I'm pretty thankful for that. And I don't mind that those four songs weren't on the main album. Oddly enough, they're the four shortest songs included on the whole thing, so maybe that has something to do with their exclusion from the "main album"? Ted has even said one was an "unfinished" song that he wanted to have a proggy middle section by the band, but they never wrote one, so they recorded it as is. It seems like those four may have been demos that the band just didn't develop further, and maybe they themselves didn't feel confident enough in them to include on the album as well?

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on May 25, 2018, 11:47:22 AM
Just finished listening and it's alright. First three tracks and Box of Spiders are probably the stand outs, and Box of Spiders takes a little bit to get going. Disc 2 was probably some of the weakest songs on the album. Least favorite SB album I've heard so far, but it's not bad by any means.

3.5/5 is probably my final verdict.

Interesting how tastes vary... from my first listen of CD1, my stand outs were Have Wa All Gone Crazy Yet, One So Wise, Box of Spiders and Beginnigns. At first it seems that the songs are somewhat better written/arranged compared with the previous CD. Overall very good first impression!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 25, 2018, 01:10:24 PM
Well they should have told us beforehand, and not just on Facebook either. Some of us don't have Facebook and wouldn't touch with a barge pole. They need to be more prominent on other social media outlets if that's the way they want to give their info.

Oh well. I'm able to listen to it for now, and I've got the disc coming next Friday all being well, but it's caused a hell of a lot of unnecessary stress and will probably tarnish my view of the album and a day I've been looking forward to for months.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 25, 2018, 01:38:43 PM
Fuming that an album is late? Oh boy...  :rollin



Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 25, 2018, 01:59:11 PM
Please don't. It's the first time it's ever happened to me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 25, 2018, 02:01:46 PM
Well they should have told us beforehand, and not just on Facebook either. Some of us don't have Facebook and wouldn't touch with a barge pole. They need to be more prominent on other social media outlets if that's the way they want to give their info.

Oh well. I'm able to listen to it for now, and I've got the disc coming next Friday all being well, but it's caused a hell of a lot of unnecessary stress and will probably tarnish my view of the album and a day I've been looking forward to for months.

That's a shame your stress might tarnish your opinion of the album as it's a really great one! Definitely a grower, but it's got a lot of promise and great writing (though none by Dave, sadly). I think I like it just as much as TOP, but it might beat it.

Just finished listening and it's alright. First three tracks and Box of Spiders are probably the stand outs, and Box of Spiders takes a little bit to get going. Disc 2 was probably some of the weakest songs on the album. Least favorite SB album I've heard so far, but it's not bad by any means.

3.5/5 is probably my final verdict.

Interesting how tastes vary... from my first listen of CD1, my stand outs were Have Wa All Gone Crazy Yet, One So Wise, Box of Spiders and Beginnigns. At first it seems that the songs are somewhat better written/arranged compared with the previous CD. Overall very good first impression!

The one-two-punch of Box Of Spiders/Beginnings is an amazing way to close the album, and I also really enjoy HWAGCY and OSW, especially the latter's driving 6/4 middle section, with some tasty solos!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 25, 2018, 02:09:08 PM
No, I absolutely love the music! But it will always have the memory of this day and the stress I've gone through associated with it. As I say, in 15 years of collecting new albums, this is the first time this has happened, so I was quite upset earlier. There'd probably be more of an uproar round here if this happened with the new DT album when it comes out. And they're signed to IO now so brace yourselves...

Anyway, the music is awesome, on both discs. Although it's easy to tell that the Cutting Room Floor songs are clearly the more radio-friendly songs.

Also, on a side note, please be aware before you make fun that some of us are a bit more mentally fragile than others. Several months and buildup to this day, only for it not to go according to plan, can't be just laughed off like that. It takes time to heal.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 25, 2018, 02:11:08 PM
No, I absolutely love the music! But it will always have the memory of this day and the stress I've gone through associated with it. As I say, in 15 years of collecting new albums, this is the first time this has happened, so I was quite upset earlier. There'd probably be more of an uproar round here if this happened with the new DT album when it comes out. And they're signed to IO now so brace yourselves...

Anyway, the music is awesome, on both discs. Although it's easy to tell that the Cutting Room Floor songs are clearly the more radio-friendly songs.

The Mega-Super-Deluxe edition of The Astonishing came like.. what 10 months after it was supposed to.   Yeah... that's something to be upset over. (And I was pretty sore about it)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 25, 2018, 02:21:33 PM
No, I absolutely love the music! But it will always have the memory of this day and the stress I've gone through associated with it. As I say, in 15 years of collecting new albums, this is the first time this has happened, so I was quite upset earlier. There'd probably be more of an uproar round here if this happened with the new DT album when it comes out. And they're signed to IO now so brace yourselves...

Anyway, the music is awesome, on both discs. Although it's easy to tell that the Cutting Room Floor songs are clearly the more radio-friendly songs.

The Mega-Super-Deluxe edition of The Astonishing came like.. what 10 months after it was supposed to.   Yeah... that's something to be upset over. (And I was pretty sore about it)

This^

I remember getting email after email of hollow promises about when things would ship. Everything came in piecemeal and it was a bit stressful, wondering if/when things would ship. It was fairly poorly handled, especially for an album that was hyped up as much as it was, being the bands big new concept piece. I think even the band knows how poorly everything went - a live album of the tour has not been released, and instead of touring on it some more, they did an IAW tour instead, so they know that the fans probably weren't willing to hear The Astonishing more than they had to.

Also, Noise Floor > The Astonishing.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 25, 2018, 02:29:35 PM

This^

I remember getting email after email of hollow promises about when things would ship. Everything came in piecemeal and it was a bit stressful, wondering if/when things would ship. It was fairly poorly handled, especially for an album that was hyped up as much as it was, being the bands big new concept piece. I think even the band knows how poorly everything went - a live album of the tour has not been released, and instead of touring on it some more, they did an IAW tour instead, so they know that the fans probably weren't willing to hear The Astonishing more than they had to.

Also, Noise Floor > The Astonishing.

-Marc.

Yeah I'm trying to remember.. I think I got the CDs and pin first, then the LPs later.. then finally the box with the NOMAC and other stuff (that's sitting right here in my office, unopened).

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 25, 2018, 03:49:20 PM

This^

I remember getting email after email of hollow promises about when things would ship. Everything came in piecemeal and it was a bit stressful, wondering if/when things would ship. It was fairly poorly handled, especially for an album that was hyped up as much as it was, being the bands big new concept piece. I think even the band knows how poorly everything went - a live album of the tour has not been released, and instead of touring on it some more, they did an IAW tour instead, so they know that the fans probably weren't willing to hear The Astonishing more than they had to.

Also, Noise Floor > The Astonishing.

-Marc.

Yeah I'm trying to remember.. I think I got the CDs and pin first, then the LPs later.. then finally the box with the NOMAC and other stuff (that's sitting right here in my office, unopened).

I actually went back and checked my emails from Roadrunner, and saw the few "Apologies" emails about delays, then the shipping notifcation emails - the CDs were sent out 2 days before release, the vinyls didn't ship til mid-March, and the NOMAC didn't ship until AUGUST. Three separate shipments over the course of nearly 8 months for something I dropped over $200 on...it was a  lackluster experience, and I doubt I shall be ordering DT's next super-duper-deluxe-special-limited-edition. Couple those delays with the fact that both the BC&SL and ADTOE deluxe sets were still in stock over a year after release and were eventuallyu available for less than $50 at the Roadrunner store, I think I can gamble to wait on buying the deluxe set for DT's next album (unless they offer something REALLY nice in the package).

But anyways, back to Spock's Beard. I am digging the album so far. Lots of great music, even among the Cutting Room Floor EP. I am currently trying to work out a "complete tracklist sequence" but I sort of want to wait until I get my Japanese Version in the main in a few weeks, as it contains one more non-Demo bonus track, "Save Our Souls", which I believe is another Ryo Okumoto solo piece (akin to "From The Messenger", "Listening To The Sky", and "Red Sea"), so I may want to incorporate that into the sequence. We'll see...

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 26, 2018, 08:11:46 AM
Yeah, my first thought when I got to Cutting Room Floor was trying to think of where the bonus tracks would fit in with the main album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on May 26, 2018, 10:36:08 AM
Yeah, my first thought when I got to Cutting Room Floor was trying to think of where the bonus tracks would fit in with the main album.

How about like this (apart from putting in the EP songs, the order of the other songs remained the same):

1. To Breathe Another Day
2. What Becomes Of Me
3. Armageddon Nervous
4. Somebody's Home
5. Bulletproof
6. Have We All Gone Crazy Yet
7. So This Is Life
8. Vault
9. One So Wise
10. Days We'll Remember
11. Box Of Spiders
12. Beginnings

So there's
1. enough space between the instrumentals
2. a progger between So This Is Life and Bulletproof
3. a nice, poppy, melodic spring tune (Days We'll Remember) before the epic finale double pack Spiders/Beginnings
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ytserush on May 26, 2018, 01:55:37 PM
I thought this interview was pretty cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RETaaYOxi1c&t=1420s

The most interesting part was that Neal initially considered Ted as the vocalist for Flying Colors. I feel bad for him just being worked up about working with Neal and then realizing who else is in the group only after being informed that he didn't get picked. I would have been depressed as well. But oh well, Casey is the perfect guy for the band and Ted is in Spock's Beard, so it's a win-win for me.

EDIT: Also, anyone willing to speculate which band he's talking about at 51:55? I'm going with Rush, although it might be a REALLY long shot.  :lol

Had no idea about Ted and Flying Colors (I guess that would be some weird alternative universe) but though I've never been motivated to check out any of Casey's other projects, he's awesome in Flying Colors.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: axeman90210 on May 26, 2018, 03:48:13 PM
I thought this interview was pretty cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RETaaYOxi1c&t=1420s

The most interesting part was that Neal initially considered Ted as the vocalist for Flying Colors. I feel bad for him just being worked up about working with Neal and then realizing who else is in the group only after being informed that he didn't get picked. I would have been depressed as well. But oh well, Casey is the perfect guy for the band and Ted is in Spock's Beard, so it's a win-win for me.

EDIT: Also, anyone willing to speculate which band he's talking about at 51:55? I'm going with Rush, although it might be a REALLY long shot.  :lol

Had know idea about Ted and Flying Colors (I guess that would be some weird alternative universe) but though I've never been motivated to check out any of Casey's other projects, he's awesome in Flying Colors.

I had never heard of Casey before Flying Colors, but I really like both the album he put out with Endocine and Alpha Rev's New Morning.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 26, 2018, 10:21:09 PM
Spock's Beard albums rarely grab me on the first listen, and this one was no exception. It sounded solid, but very little jumped out at me.  I am sure that will change as I listen more.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 28, 2018, 08:32:51 AM
A few listens in, I am not feeling this at all.  The music is good and the sound quality is excellent, but most of the vocal melodies are falling flat for me. The songs are ending and I am finding I cannot remember a damn thing about them.  That is not a good sign, considering Spock's usually bludgeons us with catchy, memorable melodies all over the place. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: devieira73 on May 28, 2018, 09:06:30 AM
Well, personally, I'm enjoying IMENSELY this one.
I also made a personal one CD sequence, flowing like having 2 albuns of 35 minutes each:

1. To Breathe Another Day
2. What Becomes Of Me
3. Somebody's Home
4. Armageddon Nervous
5. Bulletproof
6. Have We All Gone Crazy Yet
7. One So Wise
8. Days We'll Remember
9. Vault
10. So This Is Life
11. Box Of Spiders
12. Beginnings
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DoctorAction on May 29, 2018, 07:18:36 AM
Second listen and seems very good. Like others have said, Spock's take a while to unfold. Only one duff track for me (so this is life) and that's a stylistic opinion only.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 29, 2018, 08:54:22 AM
My Noise Floor CD arrived today, 3 days earlier than I expected. Pleasant surprise. Now I can properly enjoy the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on May 29, 2018, 09:01:05 AM
My Noise Floor CD arrived today, 3 days earlier than I expected. Pleasant surprise. Now I can properly enjoy the album.
Mine is still in limbo.. should I be raging mad?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 29, 2018, 11:32:24 AM
My Noise Floor CD arrived today, 3 days earlier than I expected. Pleasant surprise. Now I can properly enjoy the album.

Awesome!  :tup Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

As for the songs, they're all really growing on me. I've been listening to it about once a day, though I've picked a few songs here and there to listen to out of order, just to hear them every now and then. Every song on the main album is fairly strong, unique from the others and contributes something to the whole album. The EP has some great stuff on it, as well, and I think I might like this album a bit more BNADS, but only time will tell. BNADS has some GREAT melodies across it, but NF's melodies are starting to creep into me as well. I may try and listen to all three Ted-Era albums in a single day just to get the full experience of this line-up.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 29, 2018, 02:38:51 PM
Something I have yet to see mentioned in any reviews or whatever is comparing Box of Spiders to another Ryo-led instrumental, namely Kamikaze from X. In fact, this is the first instrumental on a main Spock's album (ie. not counting bonus tracks) since that very track 8 years ago.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: DoctorAction on May 30, 2018, 07:59:44 AM
So this is life is no longer bothering me. And the solo is superb.

I had a thought today while listening. This feels the most like a Neal era Beard album of any post Neal albums, imo. Liking it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Nekov on May 30, 2018, 08:31:51 AM
Hmm, I wasn't expecting this album to go back to such a classic prog sound, that took me by surprise. Obviously I need to listen to it to get accustomed and adjust my expectations. That will be my only comment for now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on May 30, 2018, 10:06:50 AM
Finally listened to it for the first time. Nothing really stood out but then I wasn't expecting that. Need more listens before I can form an opinion.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gborland on May 30, 2018, 10:42:37 AM
Anyone know where I can get a hi-res FLAC download? HDTracks doesn't have it, SB's bandcamp page doesn't have it, InsideOut store doesn't have it, SB.com doesn't have it...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: kaos2900 on May 30, 2018, 10:53:10 AM
After several listens I think the album is okay. There are a handful of really good songs, a handful of songs I don't care for at all, and a handful of meh songs.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 30, 2018, 01:17:40 PM
Anyone know where I can get a hi-res FLAC download? HDTracks doesn't have it, SB's bandcamp page doesn't have it, InsideOut store doesn't have it, SB.com doesn't have it...

Someone on Facebook had asked about high quality/hi-res downloads but Dave Meros had commented that the label didn't want to offer them at this time. The best bet will just to get the CD and rip from there. It's unfortunate that that isn't an option that InsideOut was willing to make available as it's a very easy way to make money from digital-only fans.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on May 30, 2018, 01:22:36 PM
I'm very underwhelmed by Noise floor. It's like they had plenty of vanilla, average songs lingering from TOP sessions and decided to put them together and call it an album. TOP turned out to be a bit of a grower, but even that one had some tracks that immediately sounded great. The only song on here I would call great is the opener, and that's only if I'm in a good mood.

Yeah, they can't all be winners.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 30, 2018, 01:47:54 PM
I'm very underwhelmed by Noise floor. It's like they had plenty of vanilla, average songs lingering from TOP sessions and decided to put them together and call it an album. TOP turned out to be a bit of a grower, but even that one had some tracks that immediately sounded great. The only song on here I would call great is the opener, and that's only if I'm in a good mood.

Yeah, they can't all be winners.

That's pretty interesting, considering that only 3 of the 9 songs on TOP were written by performing members of the band while of the other 6, 5 were written by Boegehold and 1 by Ausmus. With NF, a lot of the songs were written by the performing members of the band - Ted, Al, Dave and Ryo - but to you, they sound pretty plain/vanilla? I'm fairly certain that the band has said most of these songs were written FOR Noise Floor, though I do recall one or two of the members saying they did use some ideas from the last sessions (though that may have been one particular Ted song that's been touted as a possibility on the last two albums).

I think what I love about NF so far is that the 8 main songs are all so different from another that they stand out because of it. You have the Beatles/Floydian sounds of "So This Is Life", the crazy instrumental by Ryo on "Box Of Spiders", some great classic-SB sounds in songs like "One So Wise" and "Have We All Gone Crazy Yet", and a killer closer in "Beginnings". The first trio of tracks is pretty strong, too. It's not AMAZING like BNADS, but like TOP, I think it's got room to grow. I think maybe some fans will only now feel differently about TOP because it's been some years since it came out, and maybe the same will happen with NF when SB14 is released (whenever that might be).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Ninjabait on May 30, 2018, 02:07:19 PM
I'll be honest, I'm probably the only person here who prefers the "one or two people being the primary composer(s)" method to the "writing process is spread out among the band" process. Usually, when the writing process takes a more "populist" approach I end up liking the music a bit less. I find that the former is more focused and has more of a goal or purpose in mind than the latter, which just feels more like jamming sometimes. idk to each their own I guess
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 30, 2018, 06:22:59 PM
TOP at least had a few immediate grabbers for me.  The new album does not.

And I see that I am not the only one struggling to like this, so I am not totally crazy. :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 30, 2018, 09:25:48 PM
So This Is Life and Bulletproof are starting to make a little bit of a dent with me.  Hopefully, more will follow.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Curious Orange on May 31, 2018, 04:10:18 AM
On first listen Bulletproof, Have We All Gone Crazy Yet, So This Is Life and Box of Spiders are the ones making the most impact. Hopefully the rest will start to grow on further listens.
I do agree that a lot of this is a bit vanilla. One thing I'd criticise this line up for is chasing the classic Neal Morse sound. Beginnings could almost be a NM song. The NDV-led line up always seemed to be trying to move away from that.
That said, for me this is nearer in style to SB9 than either of the last 2 albums.
But then again, this is SB, so my opinion is likely to completely change after a 2nd listen!
Now, how about those tour dates??
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on May 31, 2018, 08:38:05 AM
Going along with the previous two posts - "Bulletproof" is really growing on me as well. The slow-but-quirky middle section where Ryo and Al trade little riffs is pretty fun, and the song as a whole has some good melodies in it. The chorus is currently stuck in my head (but I just listened to it about an hour ago before going to work).

I think this will grow on me as much as TOP has over the last couple of years, and like TOP, it has some immediate stand-outs, but I think the rest will have their eureka-moment with me eventually.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on May 31, 2018, 12:10:20 PM
Nice to see so much love here for Bulletproof. Easily my favourite track on Cutting Room Floor.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on May 31, 2018, 07:47:35 PM
I am happy to report that more of it is growing on me. Persistence is the key! :P

That said, Box of Spiders is about as boring as Kamikaze (X's one blah song). Ryo-driven instrumentals just don't seem to cut it for me. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on June 01, 2018, 12:18:34 AM
I'm not overly fond of Ryo's instrumentals either, they have some nice proggy parts, but all in all are missing a cohesive structure and/or melody. It sounds like random parts glued together.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: PepeLePew on June 01, 2018, 12:59:51 AM
Spun it about 10 times now, and while nothing grabbed me on the first 2-3 listens, it is a grower. There is no song on the album that I dislike, and "So This Is Life", "Beginnings", "Bulletproof" and especially "Armageddon Nervous" are standouts for me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on June 01, 2018, 05:38:16 AM
I'm fairly certain that the band has said most of these songs were written FOR Noise Floor, though I do recall one or two of the members saying they did use some ideas from the last sessions (though that may have been one particular Ted song that's been touted as a possibility on the last two albums).
It's clear to me that the songs weren't written for The Oblivion Particle. I only pointed out that that's how they sound to me.  ;)

I'm still trying to pinpoint what exactly went wrong and why the music isn't doing it for me, but I'm also not excluding the possibility of the album being a grower. Even though I listened to it more times than I usually do with new releases.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 01, 2018, 02:45:50 PM
I've been thinking about starting up a new Spock's Beard Survivor, if anyone here is interested. It's been some years since the last one, but with the new album out, I figured this summer would be a good time to do one. I haven't done in a survivor in a LONG time (relatively speaking), so I may take this one slowly (2-day rounds or so), maybe to also give people more time to dive into the songs and really make their choices count.

If there's a relatively good reception to me doing one here, I'll start a thread in the Polls/Survivors forum, and we'll go from there.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 02, 2018, 06:55:01 AM
I swear, the one line in Bulletproof sounds a lot like a line from I Missed Again from Phil Collins.  Every time I hear it, I keep waiting for Collins to bust out the falsetto and sing, "Would you say if I was wasting my time." :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Fritzinger on June 02, 2018, 07:24:46 AM
I swear, the one line in Bulletproof sounds a lot like a line from I Missed Again from Phil Collins.  Every time I hear it, I keep waiting for Collins to bust out the falsetto and sing, "Would you say if I was wasting my time." :lol :lol

Shoot, you're totally right. I have never noticed that, and I think I never would have  :lol I like the song very much though.

Please don't overlook So This Is Life. I think it's one of the best songs on the album, and has a very particular atmosphere!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 02, 2018, 07:42:59 AM
One thing I noticed, too, is if you have all of their albums in alphabetical order in iTunes, Noise Floor is followed by The Oblivion Particle. The way Armageddon Nervous ends and then Tides of Time starts, it sounds like a perfect transition.  The production and volume seem to be exactly the same.  I swear, they had to have planned that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on June 02, 2018, 01:49:58 PM
I'd be up for a Spock's Beard Survivor. Heck, it might even push me to complete my collection. I still need to get Day For Night, Feel Euphoria, Octane and SB9. I honestly can't remember if we've had one since Ted Leonard joined.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 02, 2018, 02:44:35 PM
I'd be up for a Spock's Beard Survivor. Heck, it might even push me to complete my collection. I still need to get Day For Night, Feel Euphoria, Octane and SB9. I honestly can't remember if we've had one since Ted Leonard joined.

I've done 3 SB survivors, each after the last 3 albums were released. If you're curious, here are the results threads from the last two-
3rd SB Survivor  (2016) (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=45432.0)
2nd SB Survivor (2013)  (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=36483)

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on June 02, 2018, 02:50:07 PM
Oh. I must have taken part in the last one then, certainly. Maybe I'm getting forgetful.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: utopiarun on June 03, 2018, 06:50:05 AM
I had the album on preorder with Amazon and it was delayed as previously mentioned. Sorry to say I cancelled the order as I listened to the album a few times on Spotify and nothing really resonated with me. I will keep trying and if it does hit, I will order it again. Oblivion Particle I have gone back to a few times and still nothing.

Ted is an excellent singer but I just don't like it in this band. there's something about it that rubs me the wrong way. I know that people are saying the album is a grower, but is that just the more you listen the more familiar it becomes?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 03, 2018, 07:18:46 AM
It has grown on me, but in the sense that it has gone from "this is not doing it for me at all" to being a solid record.  I definitely think this will rank down there with the self-titled record as one of my two least favorite Spock's records.  Bummer, cause I love the way it sounds (the mix).

I like Ted Leonard's voice quite a bit, but oddly while I rarely think it while listening to the two prior albums, when listening to the one, it is so obvious how much he sounds like Steve Walsh. I would describe his voice as being a huskier Steve Walsh.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mindflux on June 04, 2018, 07:26:34 AM
Spock's Beard - "Live at Sweetwater Studios" is up on on spocksbeard.com for order if any mega fans "have to have it".

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: ich bin besser on June 04, 2018, 10:00:48 AM
Hehe, the album is $ 8, and shipping is $ 15 to Germany - so no, thank you...  :sad:
I'd take a download for $ 8...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 04, 2018, 10:35:43 AM
Spock's Beard - "Live at Sweetwater Studios" is up on on spocksbeard.com for order if any mega fans "have to have it".

Ordered it not long after Dave posted about it in the SB Forum on FB. Sure, it's just 30 minutes of re-recorded tunes by the NF line-up, but SB is one of the bands I'll try and get everything of, especially since, as previously reported, there will only be 1000 of these CDs released, so I didn't want to miss my chance on getting this! It'll be awesome to hear this line-up perform "Go The Way You Go", and hearing Ted sing a Nick-Era tune ("On A Perfect Day") should be interesting, that is, if he's singing it and Nick is just playing the drums.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: gborland on June 05, 2018, 04:05:39 AM
Anyone know where I can get a hi-res FLAC download? HDTracks doesn't have it, SB's bandcamp page doesn't have it, InsideOut store doesn't have it, SB.com doesn't have it...

I eventually found a 96/24 download on Qobuz:
https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/noise-floor-spocks-beard/ph123ssnpfb6b

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on June 07, 2018, 12:36:00 PM
Man, I could totally get behind Ted singing On A Perfect Day. I'm imagining it now.

In other news, I've ordered Octane! No SB albums for 2½ years (since I got V in Oct 2015), then two in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 07, 2018, 02:17:25 PM
Man, I could totally get behind Ted singing On A Perfect Day. I'm imagining it now.

In other news, I've ordered Octane! No SB albums for 2½ years (since I got V in Oct 2015), then two in a couple of weeks.

After a couple days of listening to the Live At Sweetwater EP in my car, I can say that it was indeed a good purchase. This line-ups take on these 3 songs, all from different "eras" of the band, is pretty amazing. Ted's vocals on OAPD are pretty awesome, but Nick also sings on it as well, and "Go The Way You Go" is pretty superb. And come to think of it, I think Ted sang OAPD during the 2011 High Voltage show, so this isn't his first recorded and released performance of the tune.

Another odd thing about this live EP is that of the three songs, Nick is drumming live for two of them for the first time! He's technically covering Jimmy's parts on "Hiding Out" and Jimmy played all (or most of?) "On A Perfect Day" when they played it live, so we get to hear Nick do them this time!

Given that the Ted-Era hasn't had a proper live album yet (Live At Sea sort of counts, I guess, though it was a short set on the Progressive Nation At Sea cruise; and there was also the High Voltage show, which was even shorter), I'll take whatever "live" album I can get from this line-up. It's weird how, for 3 album-tours in a row, we got full live shows from Spock's Beard (Gluttons For Punishment, Live, and The X-Tour Live), but we've not had a full live concert released since 2011. Hopefully if the band tours this time around on Noise Floor, we got a proper full live show from them, with whoever they have drumming, though it's a shame we never got a tour concert release with Jimmy in the band.

And yes, I know, I'm not counting Snow Live for a reason - it was a special show and not a typical SB Tour concert, but it's definitely one of my favorite SB live releases!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Kwyjibo on June 08, 2018, 01:13:18 AM
Hehe, the album is $ 8, and shipping is $ 15 to Germany - so no, thank you...  :sad:
I'd take a download for $ 8...

Yeah, this. I'm really interested in this album but I'm not ready to pay almost double for shipping than for the cd.

Dear Spock's Beard, make this available as a download and you get my money in no time.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on June 11, 2018, 12:06:29 PM
Octane arrived this morning, and I'm listening now. Just finished the magnificent A Flash Before My Eyes, and now on to the rest of the album. What does NWC stand for?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 11, 2018, 12:19:42 PM
What does NWC stand for?

Been wondering this for over 12 years now...and no, no one in the band has said what it means, or have said it doesn't mean anything when asked.

Who knows... (maybe NDV does...)

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on June 11, 2018, 12:44:10 PM
Maybe it's pronounced "nooc" instead, like a nonexistent Welsh word.

I'm not good at "reviewing" albums/giving first impressions at all, other than to say I enjoyed everything. As Long As We Ride gave me a Beatle-esque vibe.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Mladen on June 11, 2018, 02:16:48 PM
Octane is probably their most underrated release in my book, the suite is jam packed both with classic moments and some edgier, modern stuff. It's also cool how the album isn't just the epic and then some average tunes, tracks like As long as we ride and There was a time are also highlights. It's one of my favorite albums of theirs.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: RoeDent on June 11, 2018, 03:17:29 PM
Yeah, I love the rhythms in NWC, and The Planets Hum gives us some Spock's quirkiness. One of the most noticeable things was Dave Meros' awesome bass lines, quite prominent in several places.

For the record, I managed to get the special edition, so I've also got the bonus disc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 12, 2018, 01:15:38 PM
According to this blurb (https://cultuurpodiumboerderij.nl/programma/spocks-beard-flower-kings/) about SB's first announced live show this year, it appears that former-Saga-drummer Mike Thorne will be taking the drum throne for SB on tour! I suppose, since Saga retired, that he'd be looking for a new drumming gig.

Can't wait to hear how he'll sound with the band since I'm not at all familiar with Saga or any of Mike Thorne's work!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on June 12, 2018, 01:27:19 PM
Saga's big hit was "On the Loose" from back in the 80's.  I'm sure they've done stuff since then, but mostly in Canada (I think).  They never really made it big in the U.S.

But I remember "On the Loose" has a driving rhythm all the way through it, an energy that doesn't let up, and that's mostly due to the drums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: PepeLePew on June 13, 2018, 06:13:53 AM
Saga have been most succesfull in Germany and in Puerto Rico.

They made great (to may taste) albums over 4 decades with only a few in the 90s where they tried new musical directions that I consider "meh". They have been awesome live, lots of energy at the shows that I have been to. If you want to check them out, I would recommend the studio album "Trust" or "Live in Hamburg" for a live album. There's also tons of videos to be found on youtube.

EDIT: Mike Thorne joined AFTER they recorded "Trust", so if you want to get an idea of him try "20/20", "Sagacity" or the live albums "Spin it again" and "Live in Hamburg".

EDIT#2: Sorry for placing Puerto Rico in South America, I corrected my mistake... geography was never my thing...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: Orbert on June 13, 2018, 07:39:06 AM
Yeah, forget everything I said.  Thorne didn't join until 2012, so he's not on any of those awesome albums from the 80's.  But they are Canadian.  At least I got that part right.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 13, 2018, 06:35:12 PM
Wind Him Up from the same Saga album was also a minor hit, IIRC.  But yeah, On the Loose was the big hit.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: jingle.boy on June 15, 2018, 12:57:04 PM
But they are Canadian.  At least I got that part right.

From my hometown!

On The Loose, Wind Him Up, and Scratching the Surface are still staples on Canadian classic rock airwaves.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on June 23, 2018, 07:22:52 PM
Ok. While this album does not have many major chord melodies or outright hooks, I'm really digging this album.  It's an album that takes multiple listens to soak in.

Standouts are,

Somebody's Home
Have We All Gone Crazy Yet
Beginnings
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 24, 2018, 06:53:24 AM
Ok. While this album does not have many major chord melodies or outright hooks, I'm really digging this album.  It's an album that takes multiple listens to soak in.

Standouts are,

Somebody's Home
Have We All Gone Crazy Yet
Beginnings

Those are good choices, and I would throw the bonus tracks Days We'll Remember and Bulletproof into the pile as well.

Box of Spiders is really the only skipper for me at this point.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on June 24, 2018, 06:54:56 AM
I agree.  I love the mix.  Every instrument is clear and separated.   I love that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 24, 2018, 06:56:00 AM
For sure.  Even early on, when I was kinda iffy on the album after just a couple listens, I loved the sound of it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: King Postwhore on June 24, 2018, 06:57:49 AM
We are heading to Portland ME today so we'll jam to this album on the ride up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: KevShmev on June 24, 2018, 06:58:55 AM
 :tup :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. New album in 2018!!
Post by: The Letter M on June 24, 2018, 10:05:26 AM
Rich Mouser is pretty amazing, he's practically a member of Spock's Beard at this point. His mixing work on all of the SB albums he's done has been fantastic, and Noise Floor is no exception.

As an update, I received my Japanese Edition of the album last week, and while I haven't had a chance to listen to the 6 demos included on the bonus disc, I have spun the Ryo-written "Save Our Souls", which I thought would be another keyboard-only track like 'Listening To The Sky" or "From The Messenger", but it's actually got some tribal-sounding drumming and a guitar solo! With that track now in my playlist of the album, here's my final track list remix of all 13 songs:

To Breathe Another Day
What Become Of Me
Save Our Souls

Somebody's Home
Have We All Gone Crazy Yet
So This Is Life

Days We'll Remember
Armageddon Nervous
Vault
One So Wise

Bulletproof
Box Of Spiders
Beginnings

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on June 26, 2018, 05:48:47 PM
This album reminds me of Octane...there is nothing on there that is totally awesome, but it has a handful of really good songs and the rest is mostly good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on June 26, 2018, 06:34:30 PM
She Is Everything blew me away.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on June 26, 2018, 08:46:18 PM
Really good song, yes, with a tremendous solo, but I wouldn't describe the song overall as "totally awesome."  I save hyperbole like that for the biggies like Jaws of Heaven, The Light, The Doorway, Flow and At the End of the Day.  :coolio
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on June 26, 2018, 08:54:17 PM
When I listen to that solo, I wear a condom.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Curious Orange on June 27, 2018, 01:47:19 AM
My problem with this album is that I just don't like Beginnings. Apart from that, it may just be the best album from the Ted-era so far.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on July 02, 2018, 07:07:55 AM
I must admit I'm inclined to agree with many here about Box of Spiders. At the moment, my least favourite of Spock's Beard's instrumentals. I cannot get a grasp of its structure; it just feels like an unrelated bunch of Ryo solos, with little repeated material to get one's bearings around the song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on July 02, 2018, 06:55:44 PM
It doesn't help that Ryo is a pretty average soloist.  Given that, pretty much any song that is centered around Ryo soloing is fighting an uphill battle.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Nick on July 02, 2018, 07:50:54 PM
It doesn't help that Ryo is a pretty average soloist.  Given that, pretty much any song that is centered around Ryo soloing is fighting an uphill battle.

Is it... climbing up that hill? :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on September 07, 2018, 12:39:09 PM
I bought Feel Euphoria today. Listening now...I've hardly heard any of these songs. It's certainly a darker atmosphere in the first few songs. Ghosts of Autumn is gorgeous!

The only two albums I need to get now to complete the SB studio discography are Day for Night and the self-titled. One of those will be considerably easier to get than the other. Whenever I've seen the self-titled album, it's always been vastly more expensive than any of the others. Was it a limited release or something?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on September 07, 2018, 01:47:03 PM
I bought Feel Euphoria today. Listening now...I've hardly heard any of these songs. It's certainly a darker atmosphere in the first few songs. Ghosts of Autumn is gorgeous!

The only two albums I need to get now to complete the SB studio discography are Day for Night and the self-titled. One of those will be considerably easier to get than the other. Whenever I've seen the self-titled album, it's always been vastly more expensive than any of the others. Was it a limited release or something?

Funnily enough, I've been spinning various SB/Neal Morse albums, in chronological order, in my car as I commute to and from work and wherever I go, and I'm currently at Feel Euphoria myself (after getting through the first 6 SB albums, Testimony, Neal's previous 2 solo albums, NDV's Karma, and a slew of live albums), and it's refreshing to hear the first NDV-led SB album for the first time in awhile. It's a very underrated album, but I can understand why some folks don't rank or rate it as high as the others in the catalog. The band were definitely trying to find their feet after Neal left, but there's a lot of great moments throughout the album!

As for the self-titled album, I don't think it was a limited release, but it's never been re-issued. Here's one that's pre-owned on eBay up for bid, only $14.50 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-T-Self-Titled-By-Spocks-Beard-CD-2006-Inside-Out-Rarer-Progressive-Rock/273444464462?epid=56197954&hash=item3faa8f674e:g:YYoAAOSwuTxbgqrK), and on this search (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Spock%27s+Beard+2006&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=Spock%27s+Beard++self-titled+album&LH_TitleDesc=0), a couple more around $25-26.

Hope that helps!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on September 07, 2018, 07:46:25 PM
I bought Feel Euphoria today. Listening now...I've hardly heard any of these songs. It's certainly a darker atmosphere in the first few songs. Ghosts of Autumn is gorgeous!


Much better album that it is given credit for.  Ghost of Autumn is definitely killer, and I am a huge fan of East of Eden, West of Memphis as well.  I also like The Bottom Line a lot, and the Guy Named Sid suite is very nice. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on September 08, 2018, 05:19:06 AM
I bought Feel Euphoria today. Listening now...I've hardly heard any of these songs. It's certainly a darker atmosphere in the first few songs. Ghosts of Autumn is gorgeous!

The only two albums I need to get now to complete the SB studio discography are Day for Night and the self-titled. One of those will be considerably easier to get than the other. Whenever I've seen the self-titled album, it's always been vastly more expensive than any of the others. Was it a limited release or something?

FE is incredibly underrated. There's not a weak song on there, with The Bottom Line and Ghosts Of Autumn being standouts. I'm not in love with Sid as an epic but it's enjoyable throughout (btw does anyone know why the first 3 NDV SB albums had their epics divided up into separate tracks?) A lot of people seem to dislike the title track but I think it's one of the more interesting songs they'd done up to that point.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jammindude on September 09, 2018, 09:05:22 AM
It took me a long time to accept SB without Neal....and I’ve still never heard any material before Ted Leonard joined. 

It would be like if Gavin, Colin, Richard and John Wesley decided to play as Porcupine Tree. 

But now it’s been long enough, and there’s some distance there...I might be willing to give some of those albums a spin.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on September 09, 2018, 09:33:18 AM
It took me a long time to accept SB without Neal....and I’ve still never heard any material before Ted Leonard joined. 

It would be like if Gavin, Colin, Richard and John Wesley decided to play as Porcupine Tree. 

But now it’s been long enough, and there’s some distance there...I might be willing to give some of those albums a spin.

There's no doubt that the Neal-era has the best songs. The vibe of the band was quirky and silly, and it showed in a lot of their music which made as lot of their songs feel really unique and adventurous. This aspect of the band was lost when he left and they got a bit more straightforward and "serious" for lack of a better word, but the NDV era certainly is worth hearing and has its fair share of highlights. There's some material which I would classify as "unnecessary" throughout which I never felt with the Neal albums (or Ted albums for that matter), but the stuff is well-played and varied enough to get lots of replays with X being the best of the 4 IMO. All of them are definitely worth hearing though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on September 09, 2018, 09:49:25 AM
I bought Feel Euphoria today. Listening now...I've hardly heard any of these songs. It's certainly a darker atmosphere in the first few songs. Ghosts of Autumn is gorgeous!

The only two albums I need to get now to complete the SB studio discography are Day for Night and the self-titled. One of those will be considerably easier to get than the other. Whenever I've seen the self-titled album, it's always been vastly more expensive than any of the others. Was it a limited release or something?

I still have an extra still-sealed self-titled that I still have for reasons I can't remember. Let me know if you're interested. (PM? Email?)

It's probably my favorite of the Nick-fronted band.  I thought they were still trying to figure out what they wanted to be post-Neal and think they found it with this record.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on September 09, 2018, 09:57:44 AM

There's no doubt that the Neal-era has the best songs. The vibe of the band was quirky and silly, and it showed in a lot of their music which made as lot of their songs feel really unique and adventurous. This aspect of the band was lost when he left and they got a bit more straightforward and "serious" for lack of a better word, but the NDV era certainly is worth hearing and has its fair share of highlights. There's some material which I would classify as "unnecessary" throughout which I never felt with the Neal albums (or Ted albums for that matter), but the stuff is well-played and varied enough to get lots of replays with X being the best of the 4 IMO. All of them are definitely worth hearing though.

Most of them, yes, but I still say that Jaws of Heaven is about as good as anything the band did with Neal in the band. There are only a few Neal-era songs I'd put ahead of it
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on September 09, 2018, 11:44:56 AM

Most of them, yes, but I still say that Jaws of Heaven is about as good as anything the band did with Neal in the band. There are only a few Neal-era songs I'd put ahead of it

Jaws of Heaven is excellent. Probably my favorite song of the NDV-era and a highlight of their entire catalog. I'd still put about a dozen Neal songs ahead of it, but I can see how others rate it higher.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on September 09, 2018, 12:49:26 PM
A lot of people seem to dislike the title track but I think it's one of the more interesting songs they'd done up to that point.

I like its groove.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Curious Orange on September 10, 2018, 03:26:13 AM
Do they have a new drummer yet? They've started to announce dates, so they must have someone lined up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ich bin besser on September 10, 2018, 07:50:24 AM
The drummer from Saga is hired for the tour.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on September 13, 2018, 05:28:40 PM
The drummer from Saga is hired for the tour.

They could have done worse.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 06, 2019, 10:30:01 AM
Hey fellow SB fans, I am bringing back the Spock's Beard Survivor soon, here at DTF in the Polls/Survivors subforum! If you enjoy participating in that sort of thing, please keep an eye out there for it very soon! It's been three year since the last one, and I've done them every three years since 2010, so I figured now was a good time as any to do another, especially since Noise Floor has been out for some time now.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 06, 2019, 11:03:18 AM
I think I've been a part of a SB survivor even ten years ago when there were about four voters.  ;D It got better then next time or two, but now I'm confident you'll have plenty of voters. I'm in, of course.  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 06, 2019, 11:38:33 AM
I think I've been a part of a SB survivor even ten years ago when there were about four voters.  ;D It got better then next time or two, but now I'm confident you'll have plenty of voters. I'm in, of course.  :tup

Was there one before me? I mean, that's quite possible, but I don't remember hearing about one, but this is the fourth one I have done (2010, 2013, and 2016 being the previous years). I think I had a solid number of voters last time, so I'm hoping there's a fair number again this time, at least, to make it interesting (maybe at least 7 or 8, 10 or more would be great). Glad to see you'll be participating again, Mladen! Can't wait to start Survivor'ing again!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on April 06, 2019, 12:42:29 PM
I'm in. I'm curious to see the results even though The Light or At The End Of The Day will probably win.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 06, 2019, 02:07:56 PM
I think I've been a part of a SB survivor even ten years ago when there were about four voters.  ;D It got better then next time or two, but now I'm confident you'll have plenty of voters. I'm in, of course.  :tup

Was there one before me? I mean, that's quite possible, but I don't remember hearing about one, but this is the fourth one I have done (2010, 2013, and 2016 being the previous years). I think I had a solid number of voters last time, so I'm hoping there's a fair number again this time, at least, to make it interesting (maybe at least 7 or 8, 10 or more would be great). Glad to see you'll be participating again, Mladen! Can't wait to start Survivor'ing again!

-Marc.
I don't think there was one before you. The one I'm remembering must be the survivor you did in 2010, I'm positive you were the one running it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on April 11, 2019, 01:40:45 PM
Just in time for the survivor, I guess...I ordered Day for Night today, and all being well it should be here tomorrow. That will just leave the (quite hard to get still) self-titled album as the last Spock's album I need to get before I'm fully caught up. It's only taken the best part of a decade. The reference to Day for Night in DT's Octavarium ("Day for nightmare cinema show...") was the first time I was made aware of Spock's Beard.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: frogprog on April 11, 2019, 03:55:39 PM
Today I listened to Kindness, Beware and V straight through, and man did I enjoy them!!! It's been a while since I heard them but what a fantastic group of songs. Unfortunately I did not have Day 4 Night ripped....
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on April 12, 2019, 01:30:31 PM
Listening to Day for Night for the first time. These are really good songs. Favourite so far is probably The Gypsy. It's got that wonderful quirkiness that I love about Spock's Beard. Crack the Big Sky is also a great track, and Distance to the Sun and Can't Get It Wrong are surprisingly pleasant.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 13, 2019, 07:57:36 AM
Maybe it's because I didn't listen to it a lot back in the day because it was my least favorite Spock's record from the Neal era, but I probably listen to Day for Night as much as any CD from that era now, or should I say I listen to 2/3 of it as much as any (since I never listen to Skin, Gibberish or Can't Get It Wrong). 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jammindude on April 13, 2019, 09:36:48 AM
Day For Night was my introduction to Spock’s Beard, so I have quite a soft spot for it.

I actually wish they would’ve made Healing a single track, but oh well. Crack the Big Sky is my fav.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on April 13, 2019, 02:30:51 PM
In fairness, I wish they'd made all the Nick-era epics single tracks as well, just for clarity's sake. I can kind of understand something huge like 6DOIT or Garden of Dreams, but A Flash Before My Eyes is about as long as several of Transatlantic's epics.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on April 14, 2019, 06:07:33 AM
I never liked the separation of songs into parts and actually put them all into one song. Except for A Flash Before My Eyes which for me is more like a mini concept album within Octane. But especially As Far As The Mind is pretty well structured in my opinion and works well as a longtrack. I do that with lots of songs. In The Presence Of Enemies, Six Degrees, Spirit/Eden/Desire (Talk Talk), the three Endless Enigma parts (ELP), In The Dead Of Night (UK), Endless Dream (Yes), The Whirlwind (TA), ? (Neal Morse), some of the suites in the first Chicago albums.... I listen to them in one sitting 100% of the times anyway and my USB stick in my car always leaves half a second of silence between songs which is already annoying with concept albums, but even worse with long songs separated into several tracks.

I think Day For Night is underrated. It's more poppy than the three albums before, but there are some great songs. I like Gibberish way better than Mouth Of Madness. Crack The Big Sky combines groove and with epic structures. Distance is just beautiful period. Can't Get It Wrong and Skin are cool popsongs. Gypsy is one of the best SB songs ever in the 6-8 min department. Healing Colours is the weakest Morse longtrack by SB in my opinion. Mommy Comes Back is just a little cringy. But the two My Shoes songs are beautiful and epic.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on April 15, 2019, 12:12:06 AM
Love DFN. Could be my favourite

Lay It Down from Healing Colours is one of the most beautiful things ever recorded, imo.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on April 15, 2019, 08:15:58 AM
https://progreport.com/pattern-seeking-animals-announces-debut-album-featuring-members-of-spocks-beard/ (https://progreport.com/pattern-seeking-animals-announces-debut-album-featuring-members-of-spocks-beard/)

Ted Leonard, Dave Meros, Jimmy Keegan and John Boegehold have formed a new band/project called Pattern-Seeking Animals. Self-titled album coming July 5th.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on April 15, 2019, 08:30:16 AM
https://progreport.com/pattern-seeking-animals-announces-debut-album-featuring-members-of-spocks-beard/ (https://progreport.com/pattern-seeking-animals-announces-debut-album-featuring-members-of-spocks-beard/)

Ted Leonard, Dave Meros, Jimmy Keegan and John Boegehold have formed a new band/project called Pattern-Seeking Animals. Self-titled album coming July 5th.

Bring it on!

As for the single track discussion, this is where the Join Tracks function in iTunes comes in handy. I routinely join tracks when ripping my CD's to digital. That's one of the advantages to still being a physical media guy. In terms of Spock's, A Flash Before My Eyes is the only one that is separated. I originally merged it but eventually realized that it worked better with them separated as they really are standalone tracks linked as part of a larger story.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 15, 2019, 08:35:41 AM
The way I see it, just because something is a single piece of music doesn't mean the entirety is a single song, so breaking it up to where the individual songs are indexed separately makes the most sense.

And I agree about Lay It Down...definitely a gorgeous song!!  :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Orbert on April 15, 2019, 12:30:33 PM
For me it depends on how I will listen to it.  I tend to listen to albums straight through anyway, so if it's all one track or not usually doesn't matter.  But if I like it enough to add it to a playlist, and there's a chance that I might shuffle that playlist, then the tracks need to joined.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 15, 2019, 01:29:31 PM
That is the advantage of owning the physical CD; you can combine them all when ripping the CD.

You can combine them all if you have just the mp3's using Audacity, but there are sometimes issues with there being little blips at the exact spot where the tracks are combined. There are meticulous ways around that, but it can be excruciating trying to get it just right.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Orbert on April 15, 2019, 03:57:16 PM
Yep, been there, done that with Audacity.  I rarely use the iTunes ripper.  I hate pretty much everything about the iTunes interface, including the fact that they change it all the time, but since my iPod is still my main source of mobile tunes, it's a necessary evil.

I think I knew about the option to join tracks while ripping, but had forgotten.  A positive experience with that might be what finally makes me hate iTunes a bit less.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 03, 2020, 02:19:00 AM
Was finally able to find an affordable copy of Spock's Beard's self-titled album, which I've duly ordered. After 7 years, I'll finally have all 13 Beard albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on January 03, 2020, 04:34:37 AM
Congrats! Share a photo if you don't mind.  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 03, 2020, 09:44:34 AM
Was finally able to find an affordable copy of Spock's Beard's self-titled album, which I've duly ordered. After 7 years, I'll finally have all 13 Beard albums.

Awesome, very nice to hear! It's a good album IMO, though it could have been greater had they trimmed it down a bit and left a few tracks as "Bonus Tracks", a la Octane (though in Octane's case, some of the bonus tracks are REALLY good).

Also, I had learned that tracking down an affordable copy of SB9 was tough, but taking SEVEN years to get one? Yikes. At least you have it now! Just don't hold out hope to get an affordable copy of the Japanese pressing (which comes with a bonus disc including some demos and two new instrumentals)...that one took me awhile to get.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 03, 2020, 11:44:18 AM
Was finally able to find an affordable copy of Spock's Beard's self-titled album, which I've duly ordered. After 7 years, I'll finally have all 13 Beard albums.

Awesome, very nice to hear! It's a good album IMO, though it could have been greater had they trimmed it down a bit and left a few tracks as "Bonus Tracks", a la Octane (though in Octane's case, some of the bonus tracks are REALLY good).

Also, I had learned that tracking down an affordable copy of SB9 was tough, but taking SEVEN years to get one? Yikes. At least you have it now! Just don't hold out hope to get an affordable copy of the Japanese pressing (which comes with a bonus disc including some demos and two new instrumentals)...that one took me awhile to get.

-Marc.

Well I hope it gets here. It's a second-hand copy, but I'm absolutely taking what I can get now. It's baffling how hard this album is to get. Were they on a different label for this one?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 03, 2020, 12:35:13 PM
Was finally able to find an affordable copy of Spock's Beard's self-titled album, which I've duly ordered. After 7 years, I'll finally have all 13 Beard albums.

Awesome, very nice to hear! It's a good album IMO, though it could have been greater had they trimmed it down a bit and left a few tracks as "Bonus Tracks", a la Octane (though in Octane's case, some of the bonus tracks are REALLY good).

Also, I had learned that tracking down an affordable copy of SB9 was tough, but taking SEVEN years to get one? Yikes. At least you have it now! Just don't hold out hope to get an affordable copy of the Japanese pressing (which comes with a bonus disc including some demos and two new instrumentals)...that one took me awhile to get.

-Marc.

Well I hope it gets here. It's a second-hand copy, but I'm absolutely taking what I can get now. It's baffling how hard this album is to get. Were they on a different label for this one?

Nope, just looking at my copy, it's got InsideOut all over the slipcover and the jewel case insert, so definitely on the same label as their then-previous 2 albums. The only albums they've released not on a major label, as far as I know, are X and BNADS, with the former having been crowdfunded. I'm really not sure why it's hard to find, but I found a couple on eBay currently, at least one with the slipcover as well.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on January 04, 2020, 04:48:58 PM
Was finally able to find an affordable copy of Spock's Beard's self-titled album, which I've duly ordered. After 7 years, I'll finally have all 13 Beard albums.

Awesome, very nice to hear! It's a good album IMO, though it could have been greater had they trimmed it down a bit and left a few tracks as "Bonus Tracks", a la Octane (though in Octane's case, some of the bonus tracks are REALLY good).

Also, I had learned that tracking down an affordable copy of SB9 was tough, but taking SEVEN years to get one? Yikes. At least you have it now! Just don't hold out hope to get an affordable copy of the Japanese pressing (which comes with a bonus disc including some demos and two new instrumentals)...that one took me awhile to get.

-Marc.

Well I hope it gets here. It's a second-hand copy, but I'm absolutely taking what I can get now. It's baffling how hard this album is to get. Were they on a different label for this one?

Nope, just looking at my copy, it's got InsideOut all over the slipcover and the jewel case insert, so definitely on the same label as their then-previous 2 albums. The only albums they've released not on a major label, as far as I know, are X and BNADS, with the former having been crowdfunded. I'm really not sure why it's hard to find, but I found a couple on eBay currently, at least one with the slipcover as well.

-Marc.

I think that's my favorite Nick Era album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 06, 2020, 05:00:35 AM
The album arrived this morning! :caffeine:

As I said, SB9 arriving means I now own all 13 Spock's Beard albums, a process that's taken me 7 years. Not that I've spent that entire time looking for the albums. I've bought them when I wanted to, or in this case, when I was able to. The order I bought them:

Mar 2013 - Beware of Darkness
June 2013 - BNADS
June 2013 - X
Mar 2014 - Snow
Oct 2014 - The Light
Jul 2015 - The Kindness of Strangers
Aug 2015 - The Oblivion Particle
Oct 2015 - V
May 2018 - Noise Floor
June 2018 - Octane
Aug 2018 - Feel Euphoria
Apr 2019 - Day for Night
Jan 2020 - Spock's Beard
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 06, 2020, 10:42:39 AM
Just getting near the end of SB9 now. 'Tis very good! Obviously it'll take more listens to digest it fully, but I really enjoyed it. On A Perfect Day is an absolute classic. Certain elements of With Your Kiss put a smile on my face. Hereafter is beautiful.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on January 06, 2020, 11:02:01 AM
Just getting near the end of SB9 now. 'Tis very good! Obviously it'll take more listens to digest it fully, but I really enjoyed it. On A Perfect Day is an absolute classic. Certain elements of With Your Kiss put a smile on my face. Hereafter is beautiful.

SB9 is such a mixed bag for me. Like you, I think On a Perfect Day is brilliant and With Your Kiss is a really great song. Skeletons At The Feast is also a really cool instrumental (especially the Flower King sounding section around 2 minutes in) and Rearranged is a good closing song. But the rest is really underwhelming. This album really burnt me out on the "epic" format they used on the two previous NDV albums with each part being a different track and made me wish for a long song with more cohesion. Luckily they really fixed that problem with X with both epics on there. The rest of the songs are pretty meh with Is This Love being the best of the bunch simply due to being the most direct. Hereafter is so painfully boring that I can't believe they actually chose to include it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 06, 2020, 12:51:01 PM
I found Hereafter to be a nice peaceful interlude of calm, personally.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 06, 2020, 03:49:11 PM
The self-titled album is probably the one Spock's album I don't know extremely well from start to finish, simply because about half of it was so blah that it had a very short shelf life for me, and nothing changed in that regard when I revisited it years later.  On a Perfect Day and With Your Kiss are major keepers, and Skeletons at the Feast is quite good as well, but the rest I have little to no use for.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 06, 2020, 10:38:29 PM
I found Hereafter to be a nice peaceful interlude of calm, personally.

Nice to see I'm not the only one who enjoys that song. It works as a nice prelude to the four-part epic that follows it.

It's a fairly good middle-of-the-road SB album for me. I think because it was the band's first new album for me after I became a fan (in late 2005, not long after Octane had come out, I believe), I had built up a lot of excitement for it, so I remember most of the album fondly, but upon repeated listens in recent years, some of the material drags on for me. There's just a lot of slow or mid-tempo songs in the middle of the album, and it sort of drags the whole thing down for me, and despite "Hereafter" being a slow piano-driven ballad, I really do enjoy it, but some of the songs before it are just a slog.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on January 07, 2020, 03:06:00 AM
SB9 was the first SB I owned. I remember, I bought it in an FYE in Cape Coral, Florida when I was 13/14. I instantly fell in love with On A Perfect Day (and with it, with NDV's voice) and I consider it one of the band's best songs, of all the phases.

I agree that there are some songs on there that could have been left off. But probably everyone of us would choose different ones. I like Hereafter for example. And I have to cut some slack for All That's Left. With that nostalgic character and the slow 6/4, it's one of SB's most beautiful ballads in my opinion.

I personally would have been fine if Is This Love, Sometimes They Stay, The Slow Crash and Whenever You Stand would have been left off the album. The album still would have been around an hour long.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on January 07, 2020, 06:20:10 AM
And I have to cut some slack for All That's Left. With that nostalgic character and the slow 6/4, it's one of SB's most beautiful ballads in my opinion.

All That's Left is such a beast of a ballad, great song that is often overlooked.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 08, 2020, 05:22:56 AM
I really enjoyed The Slow Crash Landing Man, especially the closing guitar solo. I think my least favourite atm (not that I outright hate it) is Sometimes They Stay... Not sure Alan Morse is a particularly good lead singer.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on January 08, 2020, 05:34:56 AM
On a perfect day is a masterpiece, and I can enjoy the following four songs to an extent, but the rest is their blandest material. The first five songs could have made a solid EP.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on January 08, 2020, 07:04:26 AM
Of the ones I mentioned I could live without on the album, Sometimes They Stay is still my favourite. Sure, Alan is not a great singer, but I think his vocals are very smooth and "cool" in a bluesy, "just wearing my sunglasses and not giving a fuck"-kinda way.

Man, I wish insideout would re-release Feel Eurphoria, Octane and SB9 on vinyl. They are not the band's greatest albums, but I started listening to the band with these 3, plus SB was my first real contact with a progband after I got to know DT.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 08, 2020, 09:25:48 AM
Alan Morse is fine to do the occasional line in a song as the lead, like in Thoughts or Open the Gates Part 2, but he should never be the lead vocalist for an entire song.  Moth of Many Flames, one of the bonus tracks from Feel Euphoria, is empirical evidence of that. :lol :P
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on January 08, 2020, 01:16:41 PM
Agreed, Moth Of Many Flames is a song that never should have been released and those vocals suck.

But you have to admit that his vocals sound a lot better on Sometimes They Stay than on Moth Of Many Flames. I actually think they probably fit the song better than if NDV would have sung it (although, of course, we'll never know for sure). And I'm saying that as a huge NDV fan!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 08, 2020, 06:46:44 PM
Agreed, Moth Of Many Flames is a song that never should have been released and those vocals suck.

But you have to admit that his vocals sound a lot better on Sometimes They Stay than on Moth Of Many Flames. I actually think they probably fit the song better than if NDV would have sung it (although, of course, we'll never know for sure). And I'm saying that as a huge NDV fan!

I admit nothing.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on January 09, 2020, 06:05:05 AM
Agreed, Moth Of Many Flames is a song that never should have been released and those vocals suck.

But you have to admit that his vocals sound a lot better on Sometimes They Stay than on Moth Of Many Flames. I actually think they probably fit the song better than if NDV would have sung it (although, of course, we'll never know for sure). And I'm saying that as a huge NDV fan!

Sometimes They Stay... is actually pretty great. I always forget it exists, but it's far from the low-point on SB9.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 09, 2020, 05:38:16 PM
I have long thought that Lay It Down was the best part of The Healing Colors of Sounds suite, and I probably still think that, by My Shoes is really giving it a run for its money lately.  I love that last minute with the piano and drums.  The atmosphere and vibe there is just incredible. :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 09, 2020, 09:37:45 PM
The guitar solo on My Shoes (Revisited) gets a vote from me for greatest guitar solo of all time. Not saying it is the greatest, but it’s up there with the best of them in my book. I’ve listened to a lot of guitar solos in my life, and it moves me like few others.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 11, 2020, 09:01:56 AM
The guitar solo on My Shoes (Revisited) gets a vote from me for greatest guitar solo of all time. Not saying it is the greatest, but it’s up there with the best of them in my book. I’ve listened to a lot of guitar solos in my life, and it moves me like few others.

I never really think of that one when I think of Alan Morse's solos, but that's a good one.  Flow, She Is Everything and Solitary Soul are always the ones I think of first.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 11, 2020, 09:06:45 AM
Yeah, Solitary Soul has a similar feel (as does the more abbreviated solo on The Good Don’t Last). Morse has a number of epic solos that could be mentioned though for sure.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 11, 2020, 01:50:32 PM
My favourite AM guitar solo is Waiting For Me. She Is Everything and Ghosts of Autumn are also magnificent. He's definitely up there among my favourite prog guitarists.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on January 11, 2020, 02:22:53 PM
Yep, I also think She is everything has an amazing solos. There are plenty of great ones, but usually the outro to Flow comes to my mind first.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 11, 2020, 03:21:03 PM
Waiting for Me and Ghosts of Autumn are definitely great solos as well. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 11, 2020, 04:12:19 PM
Yes, Waiting for Me is pretty amazing too. He’s a very underrated guitarist, and it’s also a lot of fun to watch him play.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on January 12, 2020, 07:26:04 PM
The guitar solo on My Shoes (Revisited) gets a vote from me for greatest guitar solo of all time. Not saying it is the greatest, but it’s up there with the best of them in my book. I’ve listened to a lot of guitar solos in my life, and it moves me like few others.

Might be the greatest.

It's even better live.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 14, 2020, 01:32:31 PM
I've not properly paid attention to the solo in My Shoes (Revisited). Good excuse to spin all of Day for Night! Just starting Healing Colors of Sound now.

UPDATE: Can confirm, that is a stonking solo!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Bentower on January 15, 2020, 02:46:08 AM
I've always felt that his solo during the 'Reach for the sky' section of The Water is pretty much perfect.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 15, 2020, 03:27:34 PM
I've always felt that his solo during the 'Reach for the sky' section of The Water is pretty much perfect.

Ohhhh, that is a good one! I never think about that solo, but it is pretty sweet.  It's a shame that the FU section is in that song as I'd love to see it performed again some day by Neal, but I can't imagine that ever happening.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on January 16, 2020, 03:48:13 AM
I've always felt that his solo during the 'Reach for the sky' section of The Water is pretty much perfect.

Ohhhh, that is a good one! I never think about that solo, but it is pretty sweet.  It's a shame that the FU section is in that song as I'd love to see it performed again some day by Neal, but I can't imagine that ever happening.

I'd love a full re-recording of The Light, because the sound is the main (and really only) problem of that album. But as you said, I don't think Neal will perform this part of the song again :D Not on stage, not in the studio...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 16, 2020, 04:36:45 AM
I think the sound of The Light is one of its charms. No debut album is perfectly polished.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 16, 2020, 07:43:16 PM

I'd love a full re-recording of The Light, because the sound is the main (and really only) problem of that album. But as you said, I don't think Neal will perform this part of the song again :D Not on stage, not in the studio...

I actually like the sound of the first album, flawed as it might be at times.  It sounds very clear and crisp, and the instruments balance is just right.  I actually think it is easily the best-sounding of the first four Spock's records.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on January 17, 2020, 08:24:06 PM
I've not properly paid attention to the solo in My Shoes (Revisited). Good excuse to spin all of Day for Night! Just starting Healing Colors of Sound now.

UPDATE: Can confirm, that is a stonking solo!

That solo demands attention.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on January 17, 2020, 08:29:14 PM
I've always felt that his solo during the 'Reach for the sky' section of The Water is pretty much perfect.

Ohhhh, that is a good one! I never think about that solo, but it is pretty sweet.  It's a shame that the FU section is in that song as I'd love to see it performed again some day by Neal, but I can't imagine that ever happening.

I'd love a full re-recording of The Light, because the sound is the main (and really only) problem of that album. But as you said, I don't think Neal will perform this part of the song again :D Not on stage, not in the studio...

Only live version exists on Official Live Bootleg, correct? (Although I guess these days all of that stuff is online.)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 22, 2020, 08:12:43 AM
SB9 is really growing on me now. I'm listening to As Far As the Mind Can See, and it's definitely reminding me of Edge of the In-Between. Maybe a bit less cohesive than that one, but it's the closest thing I can think of.

I especially love With Your Kiss! The drumming in the middle section (vibraslap!) is so much fun!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on January 24, 2020, 12:07:24 PM
SB9 is really growing on me now. I'm listening to As Far As the Mind Can See, and it's definitely reminding me of Edge of the In-Between. Maybe a bit less cohesive than that one, but it's the closest thing I can think of.

I especially love With Your Kiss! The drumming in the middle section (vibraslap!) is so much fun!

Loved that album from the day it came out, but apparently I was one of the few.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 24, 2020, 01:20:29 PM
Honestly, I've really enjoyed all the NDV-era albums. All have their unique quirks about them. Like, some of the songs I doubt would have been done like that under Morse's leadership, but that is what makes them unique among their discography. I'm at a point where it's pointless to compare them all now. I just enjoy the experience each and every album brings to my ears.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 02, 2020, 02:49:50 PM
I’ve pretty much decided Noise Floor is my favorite thing they’ve done since Neal left (though I’m still partial to Feel Euphoria). It’s got one of their strongest collection of songs and probably the best production on an SB album. Nick is in top form, and shows why he is (in my humble opinion) the best drummer in prog right now. They also seem to have a more solidified style and sound with Ted that sets this apart from what came before (ironically, I heard an interview with Ted where he said he’s the only one in the band who likes this album though). Ted’s voice is pretty much ageless. He sounds as good as ever on this. There are also some really nice guitar parts from Al.

The only thing that holds me back is several of the best tracks got relegated to the bonus CD. I would have dropped What Becomes of Me, Have We All Gone Crazy Yet, and Box of Spiders in favor of all 4 extra tracks (though I think everything fits on one disc). I just listened to the following playlist and I think it’s tremendous:

1. To Breath Another Day
2. Somebody’s Home
3. So This Is Life
4. One So Wise
5. Bulletproof
6. Vault
7. Armageddon Nervous
8. Days We’ll Remember
9. Beginnings

So This Is Life, Bulletproof, and Beginnings are some of my favorites, but I really like everything on that playlist.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 02, 2020, 02:57:16 PM
Ted said he was the only one who liked Noise Floor?  Oof. I wonder if that doesn't bode well for the band continuing, as maybe they feel they have peaked and see no reason to make more music, given their ages and how little profit they make anyway.

I like Noise Floor, but I didn't get a lot of mileage out of it.  It was similar to the self-titled album in that regard.  Quite a contrast to albums like X, Brief Nocturnes and Feel Euphoria, all of which I had to have surgically removed from my CD player due to my constant listens.  :coolio
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 02, 2020, 04:38:12 PM
Yeah, I thought that too. There were also comments about the Pattern Seeking Animals album being kind of an outlet for Boegehold’s material that SB didn’t want that made me wonder if maybe there is some tension there.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 02, 2020, 04:58:45 PM
Went back and found the interview. Drops the “I’m probably the only one in the band who likes Noise Floor” around 32:00 and discussed it a little.

http://beyondtheplaylist.libsyn.com/beyond-the-playlist-with-jhammondc-ted-leonard?fbclid=IwAR2DwaGlgjb-vusX3xz0T58xQqRzuK583-u3VT5os1KNKRv83z3f3o45jfs

That’s actually a pretty great interview that goes through Ted’s career from Enchant to today with some cool insights throughout. He mentions how Neal had initially wanted him to sing for Flying Colors but Mike had Casey in mind instead. Bummer, because FC with Ted would be on another level (Casey is fine but I really don’t love his voice).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on February 02, 2020, 08:30:20 PM
That’s actually a pretty great interview that goes through Ted’s career from Enchant to today with some cool insights throughout. He mentions how Neal had initially wanted him to sing for Flying Colors but Mike had Casey in mind instead. Bummer, because FC with Ted would be on another level (Casey is fine but I really don’t love his voice).

Oh, I agree. Casey is really good, but Ted is on another level.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 02, 2020, 10:31:49 PM
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/spocks-beard/2020/alvas-showroom-san-pedro-ca-7b98f218.html

The band just played their first show in nearly a year last night, and it seems like the set list was only a couple of songs off from their previous show last February. I, too, wonder if the band will consider recording another album. Does anyone know what their current contract is with InsideOut? Do they have more albums to release, or are they done?

Honestly, with how busy Nick has been with BBT, I doubt he'll return to SB for another album, and I don't think they'll have their touring drummer  (the one from Saga, I think), record on an album, but I could be wrong, since that's what they did with Jimmy Keegan.

Also, haven't Enchant been working on a new album over the last year or two? I wonder if Ted has said anything regarding that lately. And I would love to see Al release another solo album. I also wouldn't mind a follow up to Ryo's album Coming Through (which is an underrated, underappreciated gem, especially the title track and the epic).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 03, 2020, 06:23:58 AM
The one thing about Nick is his job with Sweetwater as I understand it really does allow him to play on whatever he wants as he essentially does full time session work with access to the Sweetwater studios, his own engineer, etc. The band were able to record Noise Floor there presumably because of Nick and the results sounded great. I think if Nick wants to carry on at least a recording relationship with Spock’s that arrangement can continue. It seems like Nick of all of them is the best able to dedicate himself to his music career in light of his day job.

Maybe we’re making too much of Ted’s comments. These guys have been around for a long time and maybe you make a record you just don’t care for every once in a while when you’ve made as many as they have. The fact that they are still touring (which also probably doesn’t make them much money) seems like a good sign they want to carry on. I will say though, if they call it quits Beginnings was a heck of a way to go out.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on February 03, 2020, 01:32:11 PM
Listening to The Light this evening, having discovered that its 25th anniversary passed recently.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 04, 2020, 05:58:06 PM
Went back and found the interview. Drops the “I’m probably the only one in the band who likes Noise Floor” around 32:00 and discussed it a little.

http://beyondtheplaylist.libsyn.com/beyond-the-playlist-with-jhammondc-ted-leonard?fbclid=IwAR2DwaGlgjb-vusX3xz0T58xQqRzuK583-u3VT5os1KNKRv83z3f3o45jfs

That’s actually a pretty great interview that goes through Ted’s career from Enchant to today with some cool insights throughout. He mentions how Neal had initially wanted him to sing for Flying Colors but Mike had Casey in mind instead. Bummer, because FC with Ted would be on another level (Casey is fine but I really don’t love his voice).

As much as I love Ted's voice in Spock's and on the Exorcist record, I am glad Portnoy's vision won out that time.  Casey's voice is a big reason why I love Flying Colors so much.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on February 05, 2020, 05:52:08 PM
Went back and found the interview. Drops the “I’m probably the only one in the band who likes Noise Floor” around 32:00 and discussed it a little.

http://beyondtheplaylist.libsyn.com/beyond-the-playlist-with-jhammondc-ted-leonard?fbclid=IwAR2DwaGlgjb-vusX3xz0T58xQqRzuK583-u3VT5os1KNKRv83z3f3o45jfs

That’s actually a pretty great interview that goes through Ted’s career from Enchant to today with some cool insights throughout. He mentions how Neal had initially wanted him to sing for Flying Colors but Mike had Casey in mind instead. Bummer, because FC with Ted would be on another level (Casey is fine but I really don’t love his voice).

As much as I love Ted's voice in Spock's and on the Exorcist record, I am glad Portnoy's vision won out that time.  Casey's voice is a big reason why I love Flying Colors so much.

Definitely agree there. Casey brings a dynamic to Flying Colors that Ted just doesn't have and I love Ted's work in just about anything he's been in.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on February 05, 2020, 06:53:44 PM
I love, love Ted's voice but I like dive5in my music and Casey adds something I don't have in prog music.

Kudos to MP for that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 05, 2020, 10:01:43 PM
Some late night YouTubing turned up this gem. Nick drumming along to a 17+ minute Snow medley. He really is the best.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LMAYSHu2HJk
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: JayOctavarium on February 05, 2020, 10:06:44 PM
Ted in Flying Colors would have been awesome... But I think Casey is fucking phenomenal and am happy he's the guy.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on February 06, 2020, 02:31:10 AM
Some late night YouTubing turned up this gem. Nick drumming along to a 17+ minute Snow medley. He really is the best.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LMAYSHu2HJk

Love this guy.

One of my alltime favourite drummers AND singers. And such a cool dude. When I went to the Night Of The Prog and Big Big Train had a meet and greet for everyone, he realised that the line was just too long to give everyone autographs in time if he kept sitting behind that singing table. So he just came out and had a nice chat with everyone. Even when the m&g was already "done", he still stayed there. Who would do that?

I hate that he doesn't get appreciated enough, in my opinion he should always be mentioned with the greatest.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 06, 2020, 05:56:20 AM

Love this guy.

One of my alltime favourite drummers AND singers. And such a cool dude. When I went to the Night Of The Prog and Big Big Train had a meet and greet for everyone, he realised that the line was just too long to give everyone autographs in time if he kept sitting behind that singing table. So he just came out and had a nice chat with everyone. Even when the m&g was already "done", he still stayed there. Who would do that?

I hate that he doesn't get appreciated enough, in my opinion he should always be mentioned with the greatest.

As great as NDV was/is in Spock’s, I feel like he’s on another level with Big Big Train. He has a new Sweetwater video breaking down his gear for the recent BBT tour with some really cool footage that was actually the reason I ended up bumping into the Snow video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KXEunnfXVM8&fbclid=IwAR3-oCsCCGRf5ymwu9eMe-SoNblpqzkbQDV4ahnUReRulEplXV4_nlZBv8Y&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 06, 2020, 03:42:07 PM

I hate that he doesn't get appreciated enough, in my opinion he should always be mentioned with the greatest.

Agreed.  NDV is easily one of my favorite drummers ever. :coolio

He was as nice as could be when my brother and I met him at Morsefest back in 2017.  He was out near the merch stand just chatting with fans and was as friendly as could be.  I got a quick pick with him, but it was terrible of me, so I had to chuck it damn it. :lol :lol :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: emtee on February 06, 2020, 04:28:58 PM
Love NDV! Super friendly, classy guy with two of the
best hands in the business. Add a great voice and you
have an elite level musician.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 06, 2020, 08:23:00 PM
Nick is supposed to have a new solo album out sometime this year. I’ve never tracked down his first one, but Pieces was really cool.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Cocopjojo on February 06, 2020, 11:43:04 PM
Some late night YouTubing turned up this gem. Nick drumming along to a 17+ minute Snow medley. He really is the best.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LMAYSHu2HJk
What studio version of Snow is this???

The riff at 15:50 comes in several measures early: https://youtu.be/LMAYSHu2HJk?t=949
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on February 07, 2020, 05:57:09 AM
Some late night YouTubing turned up this gem. Nick drumming along to a 17+ minute Snow medley. He really is the best.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LMAYSHu2HJk
What studio version of Snow is this???

The riff at 15:50 comes in several measures early: https://youtu.be/LMAYSHu2HJk?t=949

I also realised there are some parts sounding differently than the original studio version...
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 07, 2020, 07:27:25 AM
I’m guessing Nick had access to the original backing tracks to make the medley and just edited that part to come in early.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 10, 2020, 08:31:19 AM
Neal has just put up some old SB Live albums and demos for digital download at Radiant Records. Of note, he's got the complete Tilburg show that made up Don't Try This At Home and Don't Try This @ Home Either, but finally presented in full concert order (as seen on the DVD). He's also got the Progfest 1995 show (aka The Beard Is Out There/Official Live Bootleg) and the Live At Whisky And NEARfest album.

The demos are also all mostly never-before-released. The only demo of the bunch I currently have is "Walking On The Wind", so if you're into hearing Neal's original demos for the early SB stuff, this might be worth getting!

He's also offering all four releases as a bundle for $24.99, which is a whooping $15 cheaper than buying all four individually, so I may hop on that offer. It also includes the demo for "The Healing Colors Of Sound".

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: OpenYourEyes311 on February 12, 2020, 07:23:53 PM
Neal has just put up some old SB Live albums and demos for digital download at Radiant Records. Of note, he's got the complete Tilburg show that made up Don't Try This At Home and Don't Try This @ Home Either, but finally presented in full concert order (as seen on the DVD). He's also got the Progfest 1995 show (aka The Beard Is Out There/Official Live Bootleg) and the Live At Whisky And NEARfest album.

The demos are also all mostly never-before-released. The only demo of the bunch I currently have is "Walking On The Wind", so if you're into hearing Neal's original demos for the early SB stuff, this might be worth getting!

He's also offering all four releases as a bundle for $24.99, which is a whooping $15 cheaper than buying all four individually, so I may hop on that offer. It also includes the demo for "The Healing Colors Of Sound".

-Marc.

It should be mentioned that all of these albums are on his Waterfall app. I’m a big fan of that app. So much Neal!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on May 01, 2020, 09:58:04 PM
After hearing the new NDV single earlier today, I decided to put on SB's X, and then I realized that this month, the album turns TEN years old! X for X!

What an album, though - a fine collection of eight songs, showcasing each member's talents quite well, and an amazing swansong for Nick for his last album with the band as a full-time member. Which reminds me, I wonder what they'll do for a drummer on their next album?

Back to X - it's been a little while since I've listened to this album, but to my ears, it's still exciting and fresh, front to back. It's probably my favorite Nick-Era SB album by a fair bit!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on May 02, 2020, 02:32:42 AM
X is such a great record, my second favorite from Spock's Beard after V. And it really shows what they were capable of without Neal when everything finally falls into place. Would have been interesting what a follow up record with Nick would have been like. But then the first one with Ted is also very good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jingle.boy on May 02, 2020, 05:45:35 AM
I think X is the best (by far) NDV-era album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on May 02, 2020, 06:24:23 AM
I always loved that all-over-the-place mentality of the first three NDV albums, but X is the most perfect one of that era. I miss NDV in SB, not only as a drummer, but also as (imo) their best singer.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on May 02, 2020, 06:40:01 AM
I always loved that all-over-the-place mentality of the first three NDV albums, but X is the most perfect one of that era.

X is the first album of the NDV-era to feel like a cohesive thing rather than a bunch of songs written by different people. The first 3 have lots of great moments but there's quite a bit of inconsistency (and those endlessly dull piano/vocal tracks Hereafter and Watching The Tide). And despite my love for Healing Colors, I really can't stand when epics are broken up into separate tracks. X solved those problems easily.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on May 02, 2020, 10:00:13 AM
I honestly think that X might be the best Spock's Beard album (of any era). 

It seems odd for me since I am such a big Neal Morse fan to say that the band's best album is one he had no part of (except a co-writing credit on one song), but it's just money from start to finish* and sounds awesome.  I can't say that about any other Spock's Beard album.  Beware of Darkness and The Light are both as good from start to finish musically, but both get dinged just a bit for their sound issues.  Brief Noctures and Dreamless Sleep is up there as well, but Afterthoughts is kinda medicore and some of the best songs from it were put on the bonus disc (and I am judging it based off of the proper album).

*I used to be a little iffy on Kamikaze, but I enjoy it a lot now within the flow of the record.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on May 02, 2020, 11:06:51 AM
I think X is the best (by far) NDV-era album.

I'd go with the one before that. Self-Titled.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: SoundscapeMN on May 02, 2020, 11:24:05 AM
Sea of Tranquility did a ranking of all the Beard records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYwuvlfKRyI
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 02, 2020, 11:57:52 AM
I still think X is a little overrated. Don’t get me wrong, the production is amazing and there are some really great songs/parts. But outside Edge of the In Between (a favorite SB track for sure), From the Darkness, and Quiet House, nothing else has really ever done much for me.

The NDV era album that still checks the most boxes for me is Feel Euphoria and it has some weak spots as well. From there, most albums have a real highlight or two but I never felt like they got into a good songwriting groove post Neal (multiple outside songwriters probably doesn’t help). I do think they have gotten a little tighter in the Ted Leonard era, and as I’ve said, Noise Floor feels like the best written album to me since Neal left. It’s all subjective of course though.

I know NDV will probably never come back full time, but I still think a lineup with Nick on drums and sharing vocal duties with Ted would be amazing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on May 02, 2020, 02:20:36 PM
The great batch of songs:

Edge
From the darkness
The Quiet house
Jaws of heaven

The good batch of songs:
Emperor
Kamikaze
The Man behind the curtain

If you take into account that the great songs add up to more than 50 minutes of music, that's a pretty killer album.  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 02, 2020, 04:01:34 PM
The great batch of songs:

Edge
From the darkness
The Quiet house
Jaws of heaven

The good batch of songs:
Emperor
Kamikaze
The Man behind the curtain

If you take into account that the great songs add up to more than 50 minutes of music, that's a pretty killer album.  :metal

Yeah, I think if I liked Jaws of Heaven as much as some others, I’d feel different about it. Gonna have to spin that one again and see if my feelings have changed.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on May 02, 2020, 04:05:03 PM
I stand firm in my opinion that Jaws of Heaven and From the Darkness are both top 10 Beard tunes. Jaws of Heaven might even be top 5 for me on the right day.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on May 02, 2020, 04:12:32 PM
I love Jaws Of Heaven.

X is my favorite from the ND era.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on May 03, 2020, 04:41:34 AM
Jaws Of Heaven is one of the best Beard tunes and From The Darkness isn't far behind.

And for those who got the special edition, Their Names Escape Me is a really good tune as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on May 03, 2020, 06:45:57 AM
Jaws Of Heaven is awesome indeed. From The Darkness kinda is four songs tied together, still good.

I personally love The Quiet House with that mighty bass and the 80s style groove. It has a beautiful middle section too. Very overlooked SB song in my opinion.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on May 03, 2020, 09:02:45 AM
Yep, that middle section of The Quiet House with the piano is one of my favorite sections of the entire X record. Great stuff.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on May 07, 2020, 08:21:11 AM
Can I just say how awesome the heavy, rhythmic part of With Your Kiss is? Such a cool track
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on May 07, 2020, 08:37:42 AM
Can I just say how awesome the heavy, rhythmic part of With Your Kiss is? Such a cool track

Yes! That's a magnificent part! In fact, I love the whole song. The "muted" drumming during the second verse of the first section, then the full drums kicking in and the guitar solo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on May 07, 2020, 11:56:08 AM
Can I just say how awesome the heavy, rhythmic part of With Your Kiss is? Such a cool track
Yeah, that middle part is fantastic.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on May 11, 2020, 09:01:20 AM
Things that cannot be unheard:

So I am listening to Snow Live and realized that Neal sings the wrong first line in verse two of "Open The Gates Part 2" - he sings "Open up the flood gates and believe that all will come to pass" instead of "Open up the window feel the calm of the first cool breeze", which makes Nick's following line not rhyme at all ("Feel how the wind blows you can see the forest through the trees".

It's very jarring and now I can't unhear or unknow it, so now I have to share it here and see if anyone else had noticed this.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 12, 2020, 09:34:29 AM
NDV performs The Slow Crash Landing Man from quarantine:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR07Q_aYD1HldxWyOevHNEdDjUzu5ZeP3tZyJKZoM3F1FK92khbVpC6kFqQ&feature=youtu.be&v=7DU1f1BYYZI
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: JayOctavarium on May 13, 2020, 11:53:55 PM
NDV performs The Slow Crash Landing Man from quarantine:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR07Q_aYD1HldxWyOevHNEdDjUzu5ZeP3tZyJKZoM3F1FK92khbVpC6kFqQ&feature=youtu.be&v=7DU1f1BYYZI

How did I miss this??

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on May 21, 2020, 11:14:15 PM
So I just realized that The Voices Of The Beard are all releasing albums this year: Ted Leonard just released the latest Pattern-Seeking Animals album, Nick D'Virgilio has a new solo album coming out next month, and Neal Morse is finishing up work on a new solo prog album due out sometime this fall.

Wild to think that all three are happening in the same year, yet there have been no movements in the SB camp proper in awhile. In a few days, it'll have been two years since the release of Noise Floor, so I suspect that the band may be working on a new album shortly, hopefully for a 2021 release.

If not, I wouldn't mind seeing new solo albums from Ryo and Al. I really loved their last two, Ryo's Coming Through (2002) and Al's Four O'Clock And Hysteria (2007). It's definitely been a long time for either of them since their last solo albums, so I would love to see them put something out while their SB bandmates have been busy with other projects.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on May 23, 2020, 05:06:22 PM

If not, I wouldn't mind seeing new solo albums from Ryo and Al. I really loved their last two, Ryo's Coming Through (2002) and Al's Four O'Clock And Hysteria (2007). It's definitely been a long time for either of them since their last solo albums, so I would love to see them put something out while their SB bandmates have been busy with other projects.

-Marc.

Not counting Neal, those are two of my favorite solo albums by band members. I really wish either or both would do more.  It was refreshing to see Ryo on the Prog From Home stream.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 06, 2020, 10:18:17 PM
I've been listening to SB a lot the last couple weeks, so I'm hoping they start working on a new album soon. Have they said anything about that? It's been a while since NF was released and they haven't really done much else since.

Also, I had never heard of Mike Thorne before he joined the band as a live member, but from what I've seen he's a really good drummer! I'm thinking they might make him an official member for the next album cycle.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on August 07, 2020, 09:10:32 PM
I've been listening to SB a lot the last couple weeks, so I'm hoping they start working on a new album soon. Have they said anything about that? It's been a while since NF was released and they haven't really done much else since.

Also, I had never heard of Mike Thorne before he joined the band as a live member, but from what I've seen he's a really good drummer! I'm thinking they might make him an official member for the next album cycle.

Not familiar with Mike Thorne either.  I don't think much is going to happen until the pandemic gets sorted out. Seems like their market now is cruises and Europe.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on August 11, 2020, 01:50:08 PM
I still think X is a little overrated. Don’t get me wrong, the production is amazing and there are some really great songs/parts. But outside Edge of the In Between (a favorite SB track for sure), From the Darkness, and Quiet House, nothing else has really ever done much for me.

The NDV era album that still checks the most boxes for me is Feel Euphoria and it has some weak spots as well. From there, most albums have a real highlight or two but I never felt like they got into a good songwriting groove post Neal (multiple outside songwriters probably doesn’t help). I do think they have gotten a little tighter in the Ted Leonard era, and as I’ve said, Noise Floor feels like the best written album to me since Neal left. It’s all subjective of course though.

I know NDV will probably never come back full time, but I still think a lineup with Nick on drums and sharing vocal duties with Ted would be amazing.


If I'm being 100% honest I find all of the post Neal albums to be kind of uneven.  "X" being the strongest of the bunch as far as I'm concerned. 

I like Nick's voice more than Neal's but I like the Neal-era songs more than the NDV and Ted Leonard-era songs. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 11, 2020, 04:05:13 PM
Yeah, as far as pure singers go, I think both Nick and Ted have better voices than Neal. But Neal’s SB stuff is just better written than most of what those guys have had to work with. Post-Neal SB has probably suffered from the lack of a main songwriter, and when the singer isn’t the main writer that tends to show through on the performance to an extent. Not to say there aren’t moments in both the Nick and Ted eras that I really love. They just haven’t reached the same heights as the original band.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: LudwigVan on August 11, 2020, 05:19:41 PM
Neal Morse doesn’t have a great voice. But he has a plaintive, soulful quality that I can connect to better than most of your average prog metal vocalists. It’s as if he’s singing for the common man, instead of trying to reach for the inhuman operatic ranges.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on August 11, 2020, 10:06:31 PM
Yeah, as far as pure singers go, I think both Nick and Ted have better voices than Neal. But Neal’s SB stuff is just better written than most of what those guys have had to work with. Post-Neal SB has probably suffered from the lack of a main songwriter, and when the singer isn’t the main writer that tends to show through on the performance to an extent. Not to say there aren’t moments in both the Nick and Ted eras that I really love. They just haven’t reached the same heights as the original band.

Indeed. On the other hand, Post-Neal SB has a greater diversity, which is positive.

People listen to NM solo and say it looks like SB, listen to Transatlantic and say it looks like NM Solo.  :lol
There is a reason for that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on August 11, 2020, 10:09:48 PM
Neal Morse doesn’t have a great voice. But he has a plaintive, soulful quality that I can connect to better than most of your average prog metal vocalists. It’s as if he’s singing for the common man, instead of trying to reach for the inhuman operatic ranges.

I tried to introduce Neal's music to a friend, and after a second insistence from me he looked at me embarrassed and said "sorry, but I didn't like his vocals".  :rollin
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 11, 2020, 10:30:59 PM
Yeah, as far as pure singers go, I think both Nick and Ted have better voices than Neal. But Neal’s SB stuff is just better written than most of what those guys have had to work with. Post-Neal SB has probably suffered from the lack of a main songwriter, and when the singer isn’t the main writer that tends to show through on the performance to an extent. Not to say there aren’t moments in both the Nick and Ted eras that I really love. They just haven’t reached the same heights as the original band.

Indeed. On the other hand, Post-Neal SB has a greater diversity, which is positive.

People listen to NM solo and say it looks like SB, listen to Transatlantic and say it looks like NM Solo.  :lol
There is a reason for that.

Honestly, I don’t think solo Neal Morse sounds very much like Neal-era SB. His style and sound have changed significantly in my opinion. Transatlantic also has the clear influence of Roine as a songwriter so there is some distinction there in my mind, although the last two TA albums have sounded more like Neal’s solo work.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on August 11, 2020, 10:48:11 PM
Honestly, I don’t think solo Neal Morse sounds very much like Neal-era SB. His style and sound have changed significantly in my opinion. Transatlantic also has the clear influence of Roine as a songwriter so there is some distinction there in my mind, although the last two TA albums have sounded more like Neal’s solo work.

I don't totally disagree. It is not quite the same.
But as I said before, there is a reason for the comments. And they are not uncommon.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on August 12, 2020, 12:44:17 PM
Yeah, as far as pure singers go, I think both Nick and Ted have better voices than Neal. But Neal’s SB stuff is just better written than most of what those guys have had to work with. Post-Neal SB has probably suffered from the lack of a main songwriter, and when the singer isn’t the main writer that tends to show through on the performance to an extent. Not to say there aren’t moments in both the Nick and Ted eras that I really love. They just haven’t reached the same heights as the original band.
Neal Morse doesn’t have a great voice. But he has a plaintive, soulful quality that I can connect to better than most of your average prog metal vocalists. It’s as if he’s singing for the common man, instead of trying to reach for the inhuman operatic ranges.

On the other hand, I LOVE Neal's voice. It reaches in, grabs my heart and makes me feel weepy. He's one of my favourite ever singers and no other singer has ever made feel like he does. (Closest other one being Eddie Vedder)

In retrospect I wish they had changed the band name after he left. I really like Nick's voice and I dislike Ted's. Neither of them move me like Neal. (I mean, no-one has. I can't over-state it.) That combined with the lack of Neal's distinctive song writing makes it a very different thing now. Great on its own merits but not true SB afaic.

Edit: Just been liaising to ATEOTD and that line "Feel your heart like a window open slow...." Agh!  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: goo-goo on August 12, 2020, 12:48:47 PM
For me, Spock's has been a mixed bag. I personally love the Nick era. Great tone, great voice..but the songs were a bit weak. With Ted fronting the band, love the production and the songs (most of them) but Ted's voice is a bit of a turn-off for me. For whatever reason, the Neal era hasn't clicked with me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 12, 2020, 12:51:38 PM
Neal does have a very soulful, emotive, yet “Everyman” type of voice. He’s not technically amazing but he gives it his all and that was part of what made those early Spock’s albums so special. He’s lost some of that as time goes on, in a way I don’t know how to describe. It may just be his voice lost some power over the years as is understandable, but it doesn’t quite have the same quality as when he was in SB.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: 425 on August 12, 2020, 12:58:01 PM
Honestly, I don’t think solo Neal Morse sounds very much like Neal-era SB. His style and sound have changed significantly in my opinion. Transatlantic also has the clear influence of Roine as a songwriter so there is some distinction there in my mind, although the last two TA albums have sounded more like Neal’s solo work.

I agree with this. As someone who actually got into Spock's Beard after getting into Transatlantic and Neal Morse solo, SB was definitely not the "more of the same" I was expecting.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on August 14, 2020, 06:07:53 PM
Neal Morse doesn’t have a great voice. But he has a plaintive, soulful quality that I can connect to better than most of your average prog metal vocalists. It’s as if he’s singing for the common man, instead of trying to reach for the inhuman operatic ranges.

He brings the sincerity and the passion, Just like Geddy, Fish and even Mike....
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 14, 2020, 11:54:15 PM
When I got into SB, I was between Feel Euphoria and Octane, so Neal had already left, but I started getting into the band with the Neal-era albums (after discovering Transatlantic by way of Mike Portnoy, which I'm sure many of us here did as well). Since the band were already 2 albums deep with Nick as the vocalist by the time I was getting into them, I really dug how the band's sound evolved and enjoyed both eras of the band. Octane remains a favorite to this day because of that, as is X. It really threw me for a loop when Nick decided to leave the band, and I had never heard of his vocal replacement before, but when BNADS came out, I was blown away once more.

I think each vocalist of SB has their own charms, and I would agree with the assessment here that Neal has a very powerful every-man voice that makes his music so easy and fun to sing-along to. Nick has more power in his upper range, and does some fun stuff with his vocals over his four albums fronting the band. There's a lot of energy in his vocals that I quite enjoy (though I can't say I sing along to the NDV-era stuff as much as the Neal-era songs). And Ted can feel like a solid mix of both Nick and Neal, while adding some unique flavors of his own. In recent years, I've also dived into Enchant, which has helped me appreciate the evolution of Ted's voice, fronting a band that was more like Rush, then moving on to SB (which is more like Genesis/Yes at times, though they've certainly carved out their own sound over the last 25 years).

I think watching the Snow Live concert really helped me appreciate all three just about the same, though I will always leave more room in my musical heart for Neal's music (not that I don't like what Nick and Ted do, both with SB and in their other projects). It was certainly a treat to see and hear all three frontmen together on stage, performing my favorite SB album of all time, taking the lead in different songs and parts of songs, and even letting Jimmy sing lead on one song! I think because SB was kind of built on vocal harmonies and interplay, that they could probably change lead vocalists again and I might not be so shocked, just as long as they continue to write great vocal melodies and harmonies.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 21, 2020, 01:20:45 PM
Still going through the SB catalog and really enjoying my journey!

Was listening to A Flash Before My Eyes today and realized SB has done the "epic song split in different tracks" quite a few times, specially during the NDV frontman era. So, my question is, how do you guys treat them, like full songs split or like separate songs that form a suite? I recently decided to make full tracks out of SDOIT and ITPOE and I'm deciding if I should do the same for these SB songs.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 21, 2020, 01:26:30 PM
Still going through the SB catalog and really enjoying my journey!

Was listening to A Flash Before My Eyes today and realized SB has done the "epic song split in different tracks" quite a few times, specially during the NDV frontman era. So, my question is, how do you guys treat them, like full songs split or like separate songs that form a suite? I recently decided to make full tracks out of SDOIT and ITPOE and I'm deciding if I should do the same for these SB songs.

I have a version of The Healing Colors of Sound that I ripped as one track. There’s actually a section of A Flash Before My Eyes (Surfing Down the Avalanche) that I don’t even have ripped to my computer because it’s balls.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 21, 2020, 02:12:17 PM
There’s actually a section of A Flash Before My Eyes (Surfing Down the Avalanche) that I don’t even have ripped to my computer because it’s balls.

:lol I didn't like it at first but it's starting to click with me a bit more. The one that hasn't worked for me yet is Is This Love from the self titled album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on August 21, 2020, 02:14:47 PM
I treat them as full songs, as I do every split-track epics. Very few of the individual movements feel like complete songs to me, and even the ones that do (She Is Everything is the only one that really springs to mind) still act like smaller parts of a bigger whole. I don't fully understand why they suddenly decided on X to not split the two epics after going that way for the entirety of the Nick era. Especially From the Darkness which, of the two, feels more like four separate songs, with no reprises to unify the movements. Obviously how it feels like and how it is are two different things.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 21, 2020, 02:41:44 PM
There’s actually a section of A Flash Before My Eyes (Surfing Down the Avalanche) that I don’t even have ripped to my computer because it’s balls.

:lol I didn't like it at first but it's starting to click with me a bit more. The one that hasn't worked for me yet is Is This Love from the self titled album.

I do really like the rest of AFBME. Listened to She is Everything twice because of that epic guitar solo!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 21, 2020, 03:17:39 PM
Now listening to another split epic, A Guy Named Sid, which I still think is really cool. Love the guitar on  Judge section.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 22, 2020, 11:47:47 AM
Still going through the SB catalog and really enjoying my journey!

Was listening to A Flash Before My Eyes today and realized SB has done the "epic song split in different tracks" quite a few times, specially during the NDV frontman era. So, my question is, how do you guys treat them, like full songs split or like separate songs that form a suite? I recently decided to make full tracks out of SDOIT and ITPOE and I'm deciding if I should do the same for these SB songs.

On all my rips of the albums, I've combined all those split-track epics into single songs, even AFBME. Of course, I did this with all the NDV-era epics and THCOS, especially since on V and X, those albums' epics are tracked as single tracks, so it always made me wonder why songs like "A Guy Named Sid" or "As Far As The Mind Can See" weren't single tracks.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 22, 2020, 12:25:50 PM
Still going through the SB catalog and really enjoying my journey!

Was listening to A Flash Before My Eyes today and realized SB has done the "epic song split in different tracks" quite a few times, specially during the NDV frontman era. So, my question is, how do you guys treat them, like full songs split or like separate songs that form a suite? I recently decided to make full tracks out of SDOIT and ITPOE and I'm deciding if I should do the same for these SB songs.

On all my rips of the albums, I've combined all those split-track epics into single songs, even AFBME. Of course, I did this with all the NDV-era epics and THCOS, especially since on V and X, those albums' epics are tracked as single tracks, so it always made me wonder why songs like "A Guy Named Sid" or "As Far As The Mind Can See" weren't single tracks.

-Marc.

I think that's what I'll do too!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 22, 2020, 04:57:31 PM
Nick D’Virgilio talks in depth about “V” on the 20th anniversary of its release. Awesome stuff here (can’t believe it’s been 20 years)!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2Ljn57TJIqNd-PiH0viNpxOWl4CASWdaHY_wghvDPfxl5Q6ezTshvY2UU&feature=youtu.be&v=72x2oH50Q_Y
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: utopiarun on August 23, 2020, 07:27:10 AM
Nick D’Virgilio talks in depth about “V” on the 20th anniversary of its release. Awesome stuff here (can’t believe it’s been 20 years)!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2Ljn57TJIqNd-PiH0viNpxOWl4CASWdaHY_wghvDPfxl5Q6ezTshvY2UU&feature=youtu.be&v=72x2oH50Q_Y

That was a blast to watch! I love NDV's enthusiasm in describing each song and his remembrances, he is so into it. It is an amazing album, bookended by two of the band's greatest songs ever (IMO). Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on August 23, 2020, 06:06:45 PM
That was really cool. Stuff like this is so easy for musicians to do but so few are doing it. I’d love a series like this for tons of bands...just revisiting old albums and giving background info that is unavailable elsewhere.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on August 23, 2020, 09:48:18 PM
Nick D’Virgilio talks in depth about “V” on the 20th anniversary of its release. Awesome stuff here (can’t believe it’s been 20 years)!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2Ljn57TJIqNd-PiH0viNpxOWl4CASWdaHY_wghvDPfxl5Q6ezTshvY2UU&feature=youtu.be&v=72x2oH50Q_Y

Very cool! Thank you for sharing.  :tup

I love NDV. He is a great dude.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on August 24, 2020, 03:55:34 AM
That video reminded me of how awesome V is. I'm not crazy about The Great nothing, but the rest is spectacular.  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Zydar on August 24, 2020, 05:00:57 AM
Easily my favourite SB album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on August 24, 2020, 09:18:14 AM
Easily my favourite SB album.

+1
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 24, 2020, 10:32:00 AM
Easily my favourite SB album.

It's definitely up there with Brief Nocturnes, and probably X, for me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on August 24, 2020, 11:17:32 AM
My favourite three would be in this order

1. V
2. X
3. Brief Nocturnes
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 24, 2020, 01:06:41 PM
I have a hard time ranking SB albums, but I’d probably rank all of the Neal era albums above any since (maybe not The Light though). 

From the Neal era my top three are probably: V, Snow, and Kindness of Strangers in no order.

From the NDV era: Feel Euphoria

From the Ted era: Noise Floor (Might rank just below the Neal era albums).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 24, 2020, 03:27:15 PM
Are we ranking albums?? Oh boy... I think, like HOF, I'll list them by era, and maybe, if I'm willing enough, try and mash them together into a master list of all 13 albums ranked.

Neal Era:
Snow
V
Beware Of Darkness
The Kindness Of Strangers
The Light
Day For Night

Nick Era:
X
Octane
Spock's Beard / Feel Euphoria (I kept going back and forth trying place one above the other, so they tie instead)

Ted Era:
Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep (Limited Edition)
Noise Floor (Japanese Edition)
The Oblivion Particle

And now, a complete list...here we go...*deep breaths*...
Snow
V
Beware Of Darkness
X
The Kindness Of Strangers
Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep
Noise Floor
The Light
Octane
Day For Night
The Oblivion Particle
Spock's Beard / Feel Euphoria

...well, that's what I feel like, right now, at this moment. It could chance in a day, a week, a month, or even a year, but I think the top 3 will forever be the top 3. When I first got into SB, Snow and V were always in rotation, and BOD not much less than them, and I absolutely fell in love with those albums. The rest have kind of fallen into general places relative to the others, so it's not necessarily in stone, but I definitely don't feel strongly about DFN, TOP, SB9, or FE, all the weaker albums of their respective eras IMO.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 24, 2020, 03:47:49 PM
I wouldn’t say there’s much difference in my opinion of Snow, V, Day for Night, Kindness of Strangers, or Beware of Darkness. They are all great albums each with some really high highs.

I’d also say that each of the Nick era albums have some really great moments and some not so great moments, without a ton to separate any one of those albums from the other but none quite reaching the heights of the Neal era.

With the Ted era, I haven’t found Brief Nocturns or Oblivion Particle to have a ton of replay value, though there are some great moments on each for sure. I’d put those two below the Nick era albums probably. But I just really really like Noise Floor and feel like it’s the strongest group of songs since Neal left.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 24, 2020, 04:03:19 PM
I wouldn’t say there’s much difference in my opinion of Snow, V, Day for Night, Kindness of Strangers, or Beware of Darkness. They are all great albums each with some really high highs.
I will agree that after The Light, and once Ryo joined, the band definitely solidified their sound, and as you say, there are some really high highs on all five of those albums.

I’d also say that each of the Nick era albums have some really great moments and some not so great moments, without a ton to separate any one of those albums from the other but none quite reaching the heights of the Neal era.
You wouldn't even put X above or at-level with anything from the Neal era? I always felt that X was just as good as anything Neal put out with SB, but the other three only barely catch up to them, but regardless of how one would compare the Nick albums to the Neal ones, there are some amazingly well-written tunes on those albums (just not in the same vein of prog as Neal).

With the Ted era, I haven’t found Brief Nocturns or Oblivion Particle to have a ton of replay value, though there are some great moments on each for sure. I’d put those two below the Nick era albums probably. But I just really really like Noise Floor and feel like it’s the strongest group of songs since Neal left.

I often find myself going back and forth on which Ted album I like more - BNADS or NF. Even though it's already two years old, NF still feels quite new to me, and hasn't settled in as much as BNADS has, which was such a great surprise when it came out (and on/near my birthday too!) that I was blown away by how good it was, especially coming after X and Nick's departure. Even the bonus disc tracks are really good on BNADS, and I wished the album had been a proper 2-disc album with all the songs. Same with Noise Floor, which has some killer bonus tracks.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 24, 2020, 04:42:28 PM
I’ve mentioned before that X is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I love Edge of the In Between, and then I think From the Darkness and Quiet House are also really strong. But then I don’t care for Kamikazee (it’s ok), Emperor’s Clothes (don’t like much at all), or Man Behind the Curtains. If I regarded Jaws of Heaven as highly as most, I think X would be up there, but it’s never really grabbed me either. It is one of the best sounding SB albums though. I agree they knocked it out of the park from a production standpoint.

I also include the Noise Floor bonus tracks in my evaluation of that album. They are all really great and should have just been incorporated into the main disc (I believe everything would have fit, though I would have dropped Have We All Gone Crazy Yet and Box of Spiders if it were up to me).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on August 25, 2020, 10:57:17 AM
Ranking by era:

Neal era
Beware of Darkness
Snow
The Light
The Kindness of Strangers
Day for Night

Nick era
X
Feel Euphoria
Spock's Beard
Octane

Ted era
Brief Nocturnes (my favourite SB album)
Oblivion Particle
Noise Floor
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jammindude on August 25, 2020, 11:05:35 AM
I adore the Neal era. Never heard a full album from the Nick era. And I have the first two from the Ted era...and I like them both, but they don’t capture the stellar quality of the first six, which I would rank:

Kindness of Strangers
V
The Light
Beware of Darkness
Day for Night
Snow
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on August 25, 2020, 12:10:45 PM
By era:

Neal
V
The Light
Kindness Of Strangers
Beware Of Darkness
Day For Night
Snow

Nick
X
Octane
Spock's Beard
Feel Euphoria

Ted
Brief Nocturnes
Oblivion Particle
Noise Floor
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: frogprog on August 26, 2020, 06:50:50 PM
I loved that video by Nick! I was lucky enough to see the V tour at a tiny place (North Star Bar) in Philly. Got to see them sound check and mess around before the show and had a chance to meet all of them. Really fond memories of a special time!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Zydar on August 27, 2020, 01:25:06 AM
Looking at Progarchives, the only album who has a higher rating than V (4.14) is Brief Nocturnes (4.00). Combined with your rankings, I have to check that one out.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on August 27, 2020, 02:20:12 AM
I’ve mentioned before that X is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I love Edge of the In Between, and then I think From the Darkness and Quiet House are also really strong. But then I don’t care for Kamikazee (it’s ok), Emperor’s Clothes (don’t like much at all), or Man Behind the Curtains. If I regarded Jaws of Heaven as highly as most, I think X would be up there, but it’s never really grabbed me either. It is one of the best sounding SB albums though. I agree they knocked it out of the park from a production standpoint.

I also include the Noise Floor bonus tracks in my evaluation of that album. They are all really great and should have just been incorporated into the main disc (I believe everything would have fit, though I would have dropped Have We All Gone Crazy Yet and Box of Spiders if it were up to me).

I agree that the EP songs are just as good as the ones on the album and that they should have been included on the album. But they were released with the album and they can be purchased without a problem, so I don't really mind. The way this whole thing was released is a little weird though (as is the release of The Sea Within's debut).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on August 27, 2020, 02:26:41 AM
I agree that the EP songs are just as good as the ones on the album and that they should have been included on the album. But they were released with the album and they can be purchased without a problem, so I don't really mind. The way this whole thing was released is a little weird though (as is the release of The Sea Within's debut).

And The Flower Kings' Waiting for Miracles.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 27, 2020, 12:06:07 PM
I’ve mentioned before that X is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I love Edge of the In Between, and then I think From the Darkness and Quiet House are also really strong. But then I don’t care for Kamikazee (it’s ok), Emperor’s Clothes (don’t like much at all), or Man Behind the Curtains. If I regarded Jaws of Heaven as highly as most, I think X would be up there, but it’s never really grabbed me either. It is one of the best sounding SB albums though. I agree they knocked it out of the park from a production standpoint.

I also include the Noise Floor bonus tracks in my evaluation of that album. They are all really great and should have just been incorporated into the main disc (I believe everything would have fit, though I would have dropped Have We All Gone Crazy Yet and Box of Spiders if it were up to me).

I agree that the EP songs are just as good as the ones on the album and that they should have been included on the album. But they were released with the album and they can be purchased without a problem, so I don't really mind. The way this whole thing was released is a little weird though (as is the release of The Sea Within's debut).

With regards to Noise Floor and TSW's debut, I think the purpose of releasing the bonus tracks on a separate disc was to definitively say that the main album was on its own, and so that it can stand apart from the bonus tracks, especially since the amount of bonus tracks is fairly excessive and approaching EP length in both cases. I think, had it been one or two, they may have tacked them on at the end of the main album, like The Oblivion Particle.

Also, I remember reading once that double disc albums count as 2 sales per album, so the album numbers are inflated by including two discs instead of just one, but I could have remembered that wrong. I'm not super knowledgeable about how record sales are counted or reported, but releasing two discs might have been a numbers thing.

I agree that the EP songs are just as good as the ones on the album and that they should have been included on the album. But they were released with the album and they can be purchased without a problem, so I don't really mind. The way this whole thing was released is a little weird though (as is the release of The Sea Within's debut).

And The Flower Kings' Waiting for Miracles.

Not having heard from Roine specifically, I think the idea behind WFM's oddly-split discs was probably to open the 2nd disc with the reprise of the first track, to create a sense of parallelism between both discs. On vinyl, it doesn't matter as much since each quarter of the album fit on a vinyl side anyway, so the fourth side opens with the reprise of the first, creating a bookend-y feel across the album sides. I think Roine wanted to recreate that feeling with the discs, especially since the whole album wouldn't be able to fit on a single CD anyway.

Back to SB, though, Noise Floor wouldn't be the first time the bonus songs could have fit on a single disc with the main album. Not counting the short snippets and outtakes, the five bonus songs on Octane could have fit after the main album, totaling 79:20.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 23, 2020, 08:09:30 AM
Yo! Nick is back at it again, this time performing Thoughts Pt. 2 playing all the instruments himself. Wild stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrjyvC27mxo

Explanation from Nick’s Facebook. Man, I hope if Spock’s gets it together and makes more music that Nick will be included.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3354628751289322&id=125794630839433
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on October 23, 2020, 08:33:49 AM
He did play on Noise Floor but didn't want to tour.  They got the drummer from Saga.  He is excellent live.  saw Saga last year at Progstock.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 23, 2020, 08:37:54 AM
He did play on Noise Floor but didn't want to tour.  They got the drummer from Saga.  He is excellent live.  saw Saga last year at Progstock.

Oh, I know, just seemed a little indefinite as to whether he would participate in the future. Jimmy did a great job drumming too, but Spock’s Beard is just better with NDV. Would love for him to contribute vocals as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on October 23, 2020, 08:41:34 AM
I love his swing in his playing.  I hope so because of the vocal possibilities as well but I'm not holding hope for it to happen.   
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 23, 2020, 08:57:28 AM
And I don’t mean Nick taking over as lead singer. I love Ted, though it would be cool if they maybe shared some leads. But even if he’d just do high harmonies again like he did when Neal was the singer, that would be great.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on October 23, 2020, 08:59:16 AM
They traded off on Beginnings from Noise Floor.  I love that section of the song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 23, 2020, 09:16:21 AM
They traded off on Beginnings from Noise Floor.  I love that section of the song.

You know, I was under the impression Nick only played drums for Noise Floor, but sure enough he’s credited with vocals as well and that does sound like him on Beginnings, which is an amazing song. I learned something today!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on October 23, 2020, 09:59:27 AM
That's the one song you really distinctively hear his voice.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on October 27, 2020, 12:24:53 PM
I enjoyed some of Noise Floor today.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jingle.boy on October 27, 2020, 01:19:56 PM
I enjoyed some of Noise Floor today.

I haven't even thought about going back to it since it dropped.  It did nothing for me.

:dunno:

Once bands get 10+ albums deep into their discography, I tend to be less eager to keep up, unless they are doing truly interesting and/or different stuff, still at a high quality.  I just keep thinking, why am I not just listening to <insert earlier album here>.  I could rhyme off a dozen bands that fall into that category, some of my most favorite bands included.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on October 27, 2020, 01:21:30 PM
I really love that album Chad. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on October 27, 2020, 01:27:45 PM
It wasn't bad, but not really good either imo.

But I recently got a lot more appreciation for The Oblivion Particle, listened to it a lot the past week and I'm really liking it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 27, 2020, 01:40:44 PM
I love Noise Floor. It’s probably the best sounding SB album, the drums are amazing, and the songs are almost all good to great (including the bonus disc). The only track I really don’t care for is Have We All Gone Crazy Yet. There’s something cohesive about the whole thing that sets it apart from most of the albums since Neal left really.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on October 27, 2020, 09:51:01 PM
For me, Noise Floor was pretty great over-all, all songs included, but I think it might be hard for it to top all of BNADS, but it is pretty close. Having Nick back behind the kit really elevated the sound of NF for me, though that's not to say that Jimmy wasn't bad either, as I enjoy both of their drumming styles and nuances, but Nick has just gotten so good over the years. I think his time with Big Big Train really took his drumming to new heights.

The Oblivion Particle is the one of the three Ted-Era albums I don't go back to often. It's got a few great songs I really enjoy, especially "Bennett Built A Time Machine" (featuring Jimmy on vocals!), but I think the album kind of suffered from not having more writers on it. IIRC, without looking it up, all but two of the album's nine songs were written by Boegehold. They aren't BAD songs, per se, but the thing I enjoy about SB is the variety of writing styles between all the members, and I would have liked to have seen more Alan and Ryo penned songs on the album. Thankfully they mixed it up a bit more with Noise Floor, and even relegated a few of the Boegehold songs to the bonus disc.

I have a feeling it might be quite some time before the next SB album gets made, especially given that Pattern-Seeking Animals are already working on a third album. Who knows, though, maybe someone in the band might surprise us and announce a new album for next year. I'd be down for it, especially considering there are few albums I'm looking forward to in 2021 (Transatlantic, Big Big Train, Steven Wilson, and supposedly Dream Theater). A new SB album could really liven things up! It's not like they would have toured extensively for it even if there wasn't a pandemic.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 28, 2020, 09:47:20 AM
So I had sort of forgotten all about Falling *for* Forever off the Best Of compilation a few years back. Listened to it this morning and it’s a much better song than I remembered. Has some classic SB feel in the instrumental passages even if the lyrics and melodies seem a bit more modern Neal Morse than SB. Cool to hear all three SB vocalists on one track.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on October 28, 2020, 09:50:59 AM
So I had sort of forgotten all about Falling Forever off the Best Of compilation a few years back. Listened to it this morning and it’s a much better song than I remembered. Has some classic SB feel in the instrumental passages even if the lyrics and melodies seem a bit more modern Neal Morse than SB. Cool to hear all three SB vocalists on one track.

It's definitely one of my favorite SB songs! And it does feel like a Neal Morse epic to me (which it is), but it's really good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on October 28, 2020, 11:40:13 AM
So I had sort of forgotten all about Falling Forever off the Best Of compilation a few years back. Listened to it this morning and it’s a much better song than I remembered. Has some classic SB feel in the instrumental passages even if the lyrics and melodies seem a bit more modern Neal Morse than SB. Cool to hear all three SB vocalists on one track.

FFF is a pretty fantastic epic from Neal, and yeah, I kind of agree with gzarruk and HOF here, it's a bit of a modern Neal epic, but I like that he wrote it with both Ted's and Nick's voices in mind, and the dueling drums in the last section are fantastic showcases for Nick and Jimmy. I feel like every member on this song shines pretty well!

Since I make CD-r copies of a lot of bands and albums I like, it didn't make sense to make a copy of a compilation for one song, so I made my own version of The First Twenty Years to include a bunch of non-album songs, B-Sides, and alternate versions by SB that aren't part of their main albums (or were original bonus disc songs):
Iron Man (from TOP)
Something Very Strange (Sanctified Remix) (from BNADS)
Their Names Escape Me (Nameless Version) (alternate edit from X)
Southside Of The Sky (Yes Cover, from Snow)
The Truth (from the All On A Sunday single)
All On A Sunday (2001 Ver.) (from the All On A Sunday single)
Hurt (from Day For Night)
Stratus (from From The Vault)
Into Fire (from From The Vault)
Waste Away (Alternate Mix)
Falling For Forever

It's about 74 minutes long, so it fills a CD-r quite well, and I get a bunch of songs I didn't have one my other SB albums normally.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on October 28, 2020, 11:47:45 AM
So I had sort of forgotten all about Falling Forever off the Best Of compilation a few years back. Listened to it this morning and it’s a much better song than I remembered. Has some classic SB feel in the instrumental passages even if the lyrics and melodies seem a bit more modern Neal Morse than SB. Cool to hear all three SB vocalists on one track.

FFF is a pretty fantastic epic from Neal, and yeah, I kind of agree with gzarruk and HOF here, it's a bit of a modern Neal epic, but I like that he wrote it with both Ted's and Nick's voices in mind, and the dueling drums in the last section are fantastic showcases for Nick and Jimmy. I feel like every member on this song shines pretty well!

Since I make CD-r copies of a lot of bands and albums I like, it didn't make sense to make a copy of a compilation for one song, so I made my own version of The First Twenty Years to include a bunch of non-album songs, B-Sides, and alternate versions by SB that aren't part of their main albums (or were original bonus disc songs):
Iron Man (from TOP)
Something Very Strange (Sanctified Remix) (from BNADS)
Their Names Escape Me (Nameless Version) (alternate edit from X)
Southside Of The Sky (Yes Cover, from Snow)
The Truth (from the All On A Sunday single)
All On A Sunday (2001 Ver.) (from the All On A Sunday single)
Hurt (from Day For Night)
Stratus (from From The Vault)
Into Fire (from From The Vault)
Waste Away (Alternate Mix)
Falling For Forever

It's about 74 minutes long, so it fills a CD-r quite well, and I get a bunch of songs I didn't have one my other SB albums normally.

-Marc.

I was somehow mostly unaware of all these b-sides and extras. Is Into Fire the faux heavy metal song they did? I do recall that one.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jingle.boy on October 28, 2020, 11:51:10 AM
So I had sort of forgotten all about Falling Forever off the Best Of compilation a few years back. Listened to it this morning and it’s a much better song than I remembered. Has some classic SB feel in the instrumental passages even if the lyrics and melodies seem a bit more modern Neal Morse than SB. Cool to hear all three SB vocalists on one track.

I got lucky with FfF, in that there was a few hours where iTunes inadvertently made the title track available as a $.99 single-purchase.  I grabbed that sucker like Trump on a pussy.  A couple hours later, it was back to "album only".
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on October 28, 2020, 11:55:27 AM
So I had sort of forgotten all about Falling Forever off the Best Of compilation a few years back. Listened to it this morning and it’s a much better song than I remembered. Has some classic SB feel in the instrumental passages even if the lyrics and melodies seem a bit more modern Neal Morse than SB. Cool to hear all three SB vocalists on one track.

FFF is a pretty fantastic epic from Neal, and yeah, I kind of agree with gzarruk and HOF here, it's a bit of a modern Neal epic, but I like that he wrote it with both Ted's and Nick's voices in mind, and the dueling drums in the last section are fantastic showcases for Nick and Jimmy. I feel like every member on this song shines pretty well!

Since I make CD-r copies of a lot of bands and albums I like, it didn't make sense to make a copy of a compilation for one song, so I made my own version of The First Twenty Years to include a bunch of non-album songs, B-Sides, and alternate versions by SB that aren't part of their main albums (or were original bonus disc songs):
Iron Man (from TOP)
Something Very Strange (Sanctified Remix) (from BNADS)
Their Names Escape Me (Nameless Version) (alternate edit from X)
Southside Of The Sky (Yes Cover, from Snow)
The Truth (from the All On A Sunday single)
All On A Sunday (2001 Ver.) (from the All On A Sunday single)
Hurt (from Day For Night)
Stratus (from From The Vault)
Into Fire (from From The Vault)
Waste Away (Alternate Mix)
Falling For Forever

It's about 74 minutes long, so it fills a CD-r quite well, and I get a bunch of songs I didn't have one my other SB albums normally.

-Marc.

I was somehow mostly unaware of all these b-sides and extras. Is Into Fire the faux heavy metal song they did? I do recall that one.

Yeah, it's got Neal doing some screaming-type vocals and they play some heavy and fast riffs. It's quite a romp, and I'm sure you could find it (and most of those songs) on YT somewhere. I think the only ones of those that I don't own on a physical CD are "Hurt" (which came from the EU special ed. of DFN) and "Their Names Escape Me (Nameless Version)" which I believe I downloaded somewhere, maybe Soundcloud, many many years ago. I forget where I got it exactly, but I believe a band member (or one of the writers like John or Stan) had posted it online.

But yeah, I am kind of sad that they didn't go the B-Sides/Rarities route with the compilation, but I get that they wanted to release a set that would appeal to new-comers. Maybe someday they'll re-open their vault and do a compilation like I made for myself, or perhaps do a "TFK- Kingdom Of Colours" type box-set through Inside Out and release *everything* they've ever recorded as a band.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on October 29, 2020, 09:19:37 AM
Talk of the First 20 Years compilation has got me thinking of making my own compilation.

Disc 1 (64:26)
1. Go the Way You Go - 12:07
2. Time Has Come - 16:22
3. Harm's Way - 11:05
4. The Gypsy - 7:28
5. Revelation - 6:04
6. Long Time Suffering - 6:03
7. Looking For Answers - 5:17

Disc 2 (56:00)
1. Ghosts of Autumn - 6:55
2. NWC - 4:16
3. The Slow Crash Landing Man - 5:47
4. The Quiet House - 9:14
5. Waiting for Me - 12:36
6. To Be Free Again - 10:24
7. One So Wise - 6:58
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Stadler on October 30, 2020, 10:12:15 AM
Anyone know where I can find a discussion on the meaning of "June"?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on November 05, 2020, 11:15:49 AM
I enjoyed some of Noise Floor today.

I haven't even thought about going back to it since it dropped.  It did nothing for me.

 :dunno:

Once bands get 10+ albums deep into their discography, I tend to be less eager to keep up, unless they are doing truly interesting and/or different stuff, still at a high quality.  I just keep thinking, why am I not just listening to <insert earlier album here>.  I could rhyme off a dozen bands that fall into that category, some of my most favorite bands included.


Yeah, if I'm being 100% honest I haven't really been a big fan of Spock's Beard's output since NDV left.  That's not a slam on Ted at all, I just think NDV's departure had a fairly substantial impact on their sound and it's just not as appealing to me as it once was. 



I have to admit I don't even really care if they continue or not.  They had a long, storied run, this might not be a bad time to call it a day, at the end of the day  ;)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 05, 2020, 11:32:05 AM
Anyone know where I can find a discussion on the meaning of "June"?

It’s essentially a fictional story about the band (Spock’s Beard) briefly having a hit song for a month with “Waste Away” (off Beware of Darkness). They have a sudden rise to fame (“June came upon us much too soon”), everyone thinks they’re great, they’re living the pop star life (“telephones in private rooms”), but before they know it the hit has run it’s course (“the crowd kept on singing Waste Away but it just didn’t feel right”), the band starts to disintegrate (“the prince and the drummer and the Fire girls couldn’t get our guitars in tune”), and their 15 minutes of fame are over and they are forgotten again (“and I knew it was over when the sound man said I wish were still in June”).

Man, June is such an excellent song. Will probably be in my head all day now. I also think Waste Away is a really cool song that maybe could have been a hit under the right circumstances (or with the right people pulling the right strings).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on November 06, 2020, 02:35:42 PM
So, are these guys still around? Nothing's come out of the SB camp for a while now, right?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 06, 2020, 02:46:00 PM
So, are these guys still around? Nothing's come out of the SB camp for a while now, right?

Noise Floor was 2018, so not that long (by today’s standards). Half the guys are doing the Pattern Seeking Animals thing right now. Everyone has day jobs and the pandemic might also be putting things on hold. It doesn’t seem like anything new is on the horizon any time soon though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on November 06, 2020, 09:52:36 PM
So, are these guys still around? Nothing's come out of the SB camp for a while now, right?

Noise Floor was 2018, so not that long (by today’s standards). Half the guys are doing the Pattern Seeking Animals thing right now. Everyone has day jobs and the pandemic might also be putting things on hold. It doesn’t seem like anything new is on the horizon any time soon though.

In a recent thread on the SB Facebook page, I believe Ryo had said the band was not done, and I think John Boegehold said the same, though he did re-confirm that he is working on the third PSA Album.

I think the pandemic just kind of halted a lot of bands, especially those that make their money back on tours, even though SB don't tour a lot, their European tours seemed to balance out the costs of the tour and making the album they were touring on. So with no chance to tour, I don't think they're willing to spend the time to work on an album they might not be able to afford to make, unless it's crowdfunded like they did with X.

I don't think SB is done, but I think we won't see an album from them until late 2021 or 2022.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on November 06, 2020, 10:00:05 PM
So, are these guys still around? Nothing's come out of the SB camp for a while now, right?

Noise Floor was 2018, so not that long (by today’s standards). Half the guys are doing the Pattern Seeking Animals thing right now. Everyone has day jobs and the pandemic might also be putting things on hold. It doesn’t seem like anything new is on the horizon any time soon though.

In a recent thread on the SB Facebook page, I believe Ryo had said the band was not done, and I think John Boegehold said the same, though he did re-confirm that he is working on the third PSA Album.

I think the pandemic just kind of halted a lot of bands, especially those that make their money back on tours, even though SB don't tour a lot, their European tours seemed to balance out the costs of the tour and making the album they were touring on. So with no chance to tour, I don't think they're willing to spend the time to work on an album they might not be able to afford to make, unless it's crowdfunded like they did with X.

I don't think SB is done, but I think we won't see an album from them until late 2021 or 2022.

-Marc.

Crowdfunding sounds like a good option for a new SB beard album, since touring still isn't happening anytime soon. Really hoping we get new material from them sooner than later, but the new PSA album will keep me busy while we wait :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 06, 2020, 10:16:11 PM
Ted and Dave are involved in (what I gather to be) a fairly successful event/wedding band (The Rolling Heads, look em up on YouTube), that I bet have not been able to play much if at all this year. I know Ted has a full time job with some sort of investment or finance company, so he probably is doing ok. But I can imagine it’s a tough time for the band and hard for them to invest whatever it costs to record an album right now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on November 07, 2020, 03:33:19 AM
Didn't know about the wedding band, that kinda makes me sad. I mean, I always had fun playing wedding and bigger party gigs when I studied music, because it's always great to make people dance and have a good time. But Meros and Leonard are two musicians I have asked for autographs before and they are two quarters of frigging Spock's Beard, a band that helped revitalise progressive rock in the 90s (granted, with a very different lineup). I knew that Alan Morse has a daytime job too (I think something with electronics? I don't remember). It makes me sad that despite being a name every prog fan knows, Spock's Beard still doesn't (or doesn't anymore?) bring in enough money for them to live from it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 07, 2020, 08:54:04 AM
Didn't know about the wedding band, that kinda makes me sad. I mean, I always had fun playing wedding and bigger party gigs when I studied music, because it's always great to make people dance and have a good time. But Meros and Leonard are two musicians I have asked for autographs before and they are two quarters of frigging Spock's Beard, a band that helped revitalise progressive rock in the 90s (granted, with a very different lineup). I knew that Alan Morse has a daytime job too (I think something with electronics? I don't remember). It makes me sad that despite being a name every prog fan knows, Spock's Beard still doesn't (or doesn't anymore?) bring in enough money for them to live from it.

Yeah, I mean it stinks in that you wish they were out playing the music they make and love. But on the other hand they seem to have a blast doing it, and it’s probably not the worst way to make some extra money. I believe Ted’s wife is one of the other members, and Jimmy Keegan is the drummer.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on November 08, 2020, 08:40:44 AM
SB's story is a downer. Their main composer and lead singer leaves and no one really liked those first few post-Neal albums. I only really know X and the first post-Neal album, and neither did much for me either. When people talk about Spock's role in the revitalization of prog rock in the 90s, that is what they're referencing, the time when Neal was in the band. Neal's solo career has been booming since, relatively speaking. He and any of his other bands are as popular as he's ever been, especially Transatlantic. Spock's would probably be bigger if Neal stayed in the band. Are contemporaries The Flower Kings any bigger though?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on November 08, 2020, 09:30:14 AM
Al is the CEO of DynaMetric. Has been for 25 years.

https://www.dynametric.com/

If you go to the About Us page you will see Al in the picture. I also found his LinkedIn. It lists his CEO position and his position in Spock's.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 08, 2020, 09:46:03 AM
Al is the CEO of DynaMetric. Has been for 25 years.

https://www.dynametric.com/

If you go to the About Us page you will see Al in the picture. I also found his LinkedIn. It lists his CEO position and his position in Spock's.

Yeah, I knew he did something tech related. Even Neal has things besides music. At one time at least he owned/operated some sort of ice cream/food truck for events and parties and such.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on November 08, 2020, 09:49:57 AM
Al is the CEO of DynaMetric. Has been for 25 years.

https://www.dynametric.com/

If you go to the About Us page you will see Al in the picture. I also found his LinkedIn. It lists his CEO position and his position in Spock's.

Yeah, I knew he did something tech related. Even Neal has things besides music. At one time at least he owned/operated some sort of ice cream/food truck for events and parties and such.

He served ice cream in 15/16.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 08, 2020, 09:57:54 AM
Al is the CEO of DynaMetric. Has been for 25 years.

https://www.dynametric.com/

If you go to the About Us page you will see Al in the picture. I also found his LinkedIn. It lists his CEO position and his position in Spock's.

Yeah, I knew he did something tech related. Even Neal has things besides music. At one time at least he owned/operated some sort of ice cream/food truck for events and parties and such.

He served ice cream in 15/16.

You joke, but here is the website, which randomly includes the video to Yes’ Love Will Find A Way at the bottom of the home page.

http://www.mojocookiedough.com/home.html
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on November 08, 2020, 10:38:58 AM
Al is the CEO of DynaMetric. Has been for 25 years.

https://www.dynametric.com/

If you go to the About Us page you will see Al in the picture. I also found his LinkedIn. It lists his CEO position and his position in Spock's.

Yeah, I knew he did something tech related. Even Neal has things besides music. At one time at least he owned/operated some sort of ice cream/food truck for events and parties and such.

He served ice cream in 15/16.

You joke, but here is the website, which randomly includes the video to Yes’ Love Will Find A Way at the bottom of the home page.

http://www.mojocookiedough.com/home.html

:lol This is amazing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 08, 2020, 11:48:18 AM
I got that info from this amazing interview Neal did a few years ago. Well worth reading if you haven’t before (all about how much he loves his Ford van):

https://www.motortrend.com/news/celebrity-drive-singer-songwriter-neal-morse/
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 11, 2021, 08:43:51 AM
NDV seems to be doing more than just about anyone to keep the memory of Spock’s Beard alive. He’s back with another one-man cover, this time it’s The Gypsy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fclD2vlGoPM

Feels like the band need Nick’s involvement to push them into making more music again. Heck, see if Neal will come on board and have another three-singer epic or something.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on January 23, 2021, 04:27:37 PM
Just found out The First Twenty Years has a 'new' 20 minute epic on there, with Neal on it.  :eek Thinking about getting it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on January 23, 2021, 04:39:53 PM
Just found out The First Twenty Years has a 'new' 20 minute epic on there, with Neal on it.  :eek Thinking about getting it.

Written by Neal and featuring the 3 lead singers of SB + a drum duet with Nick and Jimmy. One of my favorite Spock's Beard songs :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on January 24, 2021, 08:50:53 AM
Tbh, the last two Spock's albums were kinda stale. I wouldn't be surprised if PSA is the new outlet for what would've been Spock's. It solves their drummer problem, and while we don't have Ryo and Alan, 3 out of 5 ain't bad.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on January 24, 2021, 09:29:51 AM
Just found out The First Twenty Years has a 'new' 20 minute epic on there, with Neal on it.  :eek Thinking about getting it.

It's a good song, but Neal has so many 20 minute (plus) songs since the mid 90's (whether it be with Spock's or TA or NMB, or on his solo albums) that Falling for Forever kind of got lost in the shuffle for many fans, myself included.  It is definitely unique to get a Spock's epic with all three (Neal, Nick and Ted) singing, but it has never been a song I reach for often. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 24, 2021, 09:58:10 AM
Tbh, the last two Spock's albums were kinda stale. I wouldn't be surprised if PSA is the new outlet for what would've been Spock's. It solves their drummer problem, and while we don't have Ryo and Alan, 3 out of 5 ain't bad.

I just can’t help but think Nick would make time to be involved in SB to the extent he could. It’s not like they tour a bunch anyway. He clearly still loves the music and recording a new album at Sweetwater likely wouldn’t be a problem for him.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 09, 2021, 01:47:06 AM
Ryo is working on his new solo album and posted an update on his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/100053172201295/posts/227337365715335/

I was gonna post this in the main SB thread but it hasn't been updated since 2017, so I figured this was better.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 09, 2021, 07:35:25 AM
Ryo is working on his new solo album and posted an update on his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/100053172201295/posts/227337365715335/

I was gonna post this in the main SB thread but it hasn't been updated since 2017, so I figured this was better.

-Marc.

Ha, I thought this was the main SB thread!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on February 09, 2021, 10:30:03 AM
We decided without words that this is the main SB thread years ago. The title should be changed to reflect that.

This is surely the death knell for Spock's Beard as an entity. With PSA gaining momentum, Ryo's gone off on his own. All that's left (no pun intended) is to see what Alan does, if anything.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 09, 2021, 10:38:11 AM
We decided without words that this is the main SB thread years ago. The title should be changed to reflect that.

This is surely the death knell for Spock's Beard as an entity. With PSA gaining momentum, Ryo's gone off on his own. All that's left (no pun intended) is to see what Alan does, if anything.

I think SB will come back eventually, probably in a few years, maybe 2023 at the earliest. But hey, I would love to be surprised (in a good way)!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on February 09, 2021, 11:06:54 AM
We decided without words that this is the main SB thread years ago. The title should be changed to reflect that.

This is surely the death knell for Spock's Beard as an entity. With PSA gaining momentum, Ryo's gone off on his own. All that's left (no pun intended) is to see what Alan does, if anything.

I think SB will come back eventually, probably in a few years, maybe 2023 at the earliest. But hey, I would love to be surprised (in a good way)!

-Marc.

I really hope SB isn't over yet. Hopefully they'll get back together later this year to make an album, even if it gets released next year.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 09, 2021, 11:15:46 AM
I wonder if Alan is just getting to the age where he’s done being in a band like SB. He’s 62 and it’s not like the band makes money. No idea what kind of personal investment making an album would involve for him or the others, but he may just be looking at retirement and not want to pour money into the band anymore.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on February 10, 2021, 04:45:58 AM
I really hope SB isn't over yet. Hopefully they'll get back together later this year to make an album, even if it gets released next year.

Given PSA said they'd already started work on PSA3, I can't really see this happening. Not everyone is like Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy who can release like 3/4 studio albums a year.


I think SB will come back eventually, probably in a few years, maybe 2023 at the earliest. But hey, I would love to be surprised (in a good way)!

-Marc.

This is perhaps more likely. They haven't really had a lengthy hiatus at all, over 26 years. Even when members left.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 10, 2021, 10:39:15 AM
Honestly, not to just drop a hot take in here but to me Spock's Beard never fully recovered from Neal Morse's exit. 


When I need a Spock's Beard fix it's going to come from one of those first 6 albums.   11 times out of 10
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on February 10, 2021, 12:26:14 PM
Honestly, not to just drop a hot take in here but to me Spock's Beard never fully recovered from Neal Morse's exit. 


When I need a Spock's Beard fix it's going to come from one of those first 6 albums.   11 times out of 10

So what you are saying is, that when Neal left they stopped being the majestic Spock's Beard and simply became Kirk's Nose Hair?  :lol

Seriously, I enjoy all 3 era's. I routinely go to V, Octane and Brief Nocturnes when I have a Spock's itch. I know people call X the pinnacle of the Nick era, but for me it is Octane. A Flash Before My Eyes is just stunning. I was badly injured in a car wreck that was not my fault and it hits real close to home, almost too close.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 10, 2021, 01:05:43 PM
There are highlights throughout the post-Neal era that make it worth revisiting, even if as a whole they never really reached the heights of the Neal era. I still think Feel Euphoria was a solid first effort, and there are some real highs on Octane as well. The next two I don’t like as much (X has some really strong moments though), and the first two Ted albums are more ok than amazing. But Noise Floor just felt like a rejuvenated band to me. I’d hate to not see them build on that, but if that’s the last thing they do it was a fine farewell statement.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on February 10, 2021, 02:49:55 PM
Honestly, not to just drop a hot take in here but to me Spock's Beard never fully recovered from Neal Morse's exit. 


When I need a Spock's Beard fix it's going to come from one of those first 6 albums.   11 times out of 10

I think the rest of the guys in the band are awesome and insanely talented but I do agree that there's a magic that exists on the Neal albums (The Light through V) that virtually no prog band since has really recaptured (same with The Flower Kings 90's/early 00's output).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 10, 2021, 05:54:58 PM
I like all three eras as well, although there have been diminishing returns with each Ted album, so it might be a good time to call it a day.  I agree that most of the best stuff comes from the Neal era, but I still love most of X and Brief Nocturnes..., and I will still swear by most of Feel Euphoria.  I wasn't keen on Octane at first, but it has aged pretty well.  And even a largely mediocre album like the self-titled one still had a few bad ass songs in With Your Kiss and One a Perfect Day.  Long story short, even the least best Spock's albums still have a few keepers.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 11, 2021, 01:51:42 PM
Yep, I agree with everything you guys are saying, there is definitely some solid material on the post-Neal Morse albums, just nothing like "The Doorway" or "The Light" or "At The End of The Day" or "The Great Nothing"


Octane, to me, was the pinnacle of their post-Neal work.  I think X is a bit overrated.  "Jaws of Heaven", though, is one of those very few post-Neal songs that I'd put up there pretty close to the songs I mentioned above.





Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on February 12, 2021, 12:03:53 AM
All three eras have some great material and all three eras some not so great material.

Maybe the Neal era overall is the strongest, V is my favorite record by them, but then I don't like Snow, it's at the bottom of my ranking. And Day For Night wasn't that great either.

Octane and X are the Nick era highlights, X being better than even most Neal era records.

And Brief Nocturnes was a really good start to the Ted era, TOP was still very good but Noise Floor was a significant drop in quality.

But I still hope they have another record in store sometime in the future.

All of this imo, of course.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 12, 2021, 12:06:06 AM
I think the Nick-Era is pretty solid over-all, but given they had such huge shoes to fill, it was always going to be difficult to follow-up albums like V and Snow. Feel Euphoria is a good effort, but I think it's a bit all over the place. Octane definitely stepped it up a bit, and the opening suite is some of the best Post-Neal material out there. I think they were wise enough to make a shorter album with bonus tracks, but even then, those bonus tracks were just as good, if not better than the back half of the main album. The self-titled release is definitely the album that should have had some trimming done to it and been given the bonus-disc treatment. It suffered from having a lot of slower songs in the middle and it dragged the pacing down a lot, and the "traditional" multi-part epic at the end is probably the weakest one from the four Nick-Era albums. When X came out, I was really impressed and surprised, and to this day, I'd say it's probably my favorite Nick-Era album, with a return to some sprawling epics and longer songs with strong instrumental sections. It's probably as close to classic SB as that line-up would get, but unfortunately, it was also the last album with Nick, and it seemed like all the steam they had built up to that point was let out and the band was doomed.

Enter - Ted Leonard - and BNADS, which, while a bit from perfect, was a STRONG entrance for Ted. The main album has some great moments and songs, and even the bonus tracks are worth listening to! Over-all, probably my favorite of the three Ted albums, but Noise Floor would not be too far behind it, and The Oblivion Particle a bit further back. As a whole, these three albums aren't bad, and I can kind of hear a return of the kind of writing that the band was known for with Neal. Not sure if that was a conscious effort, or if Ted's entrance into the band kind of led them in those directions, but this line-up definitely seems like a fair melding of everything that came before, but with Ted's fresh input, which, thankfully, is different enough from his other band, Enchant.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on February 12, 2021, 12:11:59 AM
The Neal era is my favorite overall, but then again, X and BNADS are among my top 4 Spock's Beard albums. There is also at least one "dud" in each era. It's a fairly consistent discography.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 12, 2021, 12:24:03 AM
The Neal era is my favorite overall, but then again, X and BNADS are among my top 4 Spock's Beard albums. There is also at least one "dud" in each era. It's a fairly consistent discography.

Agreed! Those duds for me are DFN, SB9, and TOP. The best ones are Snow, X, and BNADS, though some days I may pick V or BOD over Snow, but Snow really hit me when I discovered it, and so it holds a special place in my heart. I loved Octane when I first got it (it was the band's newest album when I discovered them in 2005), but X has slowly overtaken it as my favorite Nick-Era album, and like I said in my above post, BNADS is just great through and through.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on February 12, 2021, 12:27:01 AM
X and Octane are close and BNADS is good but the Neal-era musical chemistry in the band by the time you get to Day for Night, V and Snow is untouchable, imo.

Goes without saying that all the members of TNMB, TA etc are fantastic musicians but I'd swap all that post-SB output for Nick, Dave, Alan and Ryo. Just beautiful style and touch.

I'm still sad he left and wish he would stop messing about and get back to his "real" band, tbh.  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 12, 2021, 12:37:03 AM
I'm still sad he left and wish he would stop messing about and get back to his "real" band, tbh.  :lol

If this wasn't the Spock's Beard thread, I'd almost think you were talking about Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree.  :lol

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on February 12, 2021, 06:58:38 AM
I'm not very familiar with post-Neal SB, but I do own X, and I think it's pretty good (though I haven't listened to it in some time)
I really need to do some homework and check out the other albums, I've never been motivated to because of all the comparisons to Neal era SB and how nothing is as good after he left, according to many online. But like I said, X is pretty good, so it can't be that bad.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 07:29:43 AM
I still don’t get why people don’t like Noise Floor. For me it has some of the best songwriting of the post-Neal era. The songs are crisp and the production value is high, and Nick’s drumming is amazing. Beginnings is easily one of the best songs they’ve ever written, and I love So This is Life, One So Wise, and Bulletproof from the bonus disc.

I feel like the fact that they split the material between a main and a bonus disc hurt the perception of this one. They could have put it all on one disc. The one song I don’t really like at all is Have We All Gone Crazy Yet. I’m not crazy about What Becomes of Me either, and I would have maybe dropped Box of Spiders for the superior Armageddon Nervous, but I would have included the other tracks from the bonus disc. To me, there is easily a great album’s worth of music between the two discs.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on February 12, 2021, 07:55:24 AM
The NDV era albums have a big nostalgia bonus for me.

SB9 is the first album I bought from them, on vacation with my parents at age 14, at the Edison Mall Fort Myers (the same shop in which I bought Hybrid Theory a few years earlier)  :biggrin: I read about SB in the German Dream Theater Forum (which unfortunately closed down, which fortunately brought me here) and bought the CD without hearing a single note beforehand.
I was sold at the opening drum fill. On A Perfect Day is still one of my absolute favorites by the band and I think it's safe to say that it changed my life, almost the same way as hearing The Root Of All Evil (my first DT song) for the first time a year earlier or so. SB9 was my entrance to all things Retro-Prog: I started listening to Neal Morse, The Flower Kings, Transatlantic, even Änglagard and Beardfish. And shortly after NDV released his (amazing!) Lamb-rendition, I was a big time prog nerd and discovered all the "original" prog bands.

I understand that objectively, SB9 is one of the weaker albums of the SB2.0 bunch, but I absolutely love it. Is This Love?, Slow Crash, Wherever I Stand, Sometimes They Stay might be oddballs and expendable for most fans, but I wouldn't want to mis a single second off this album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: 425 on February 12, 2021, 09:18:22 AM
I only have half of the SB albums, but I always find it interesting how widely people's choices of favorites differ. True, it seems that the consensus is that the Neal era is strongest and that X and BNADS are the strongest post-Neal albums, but you can find plenty of people who disagree. And besides those points it seems like there are very few points of agreement.

My own hot take is that I often see people talking about Day for Night as one of the weakest Neal-era albums, but I got it recently and think it might be one of my favorites.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on February 12, 2021, 09:23:16 AM
My own hot take is that I often see people talking about Day for Night as one of the weakest Neal-era albums, but I got it recently and think it might be one of my favorites.

I'm one of those people. I think it's the weakest album Neal wrote between SB and his prog work since he left SB.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 09:34:12 AM
My own hot take is that I often see people talking about Day for Night as one of the weakest Neal-era albums, but I got it recently and think it might be one of my favorites.

I'm one of those people. I think it's the weakest album Neal wrote between SB and his prog work since he left SB.

I love Day for Night, but it does have a little bit of what seems like filler. I don’t care for Gibberish or The Gypsy so much, even though I know the counterpoint vocal thing on Gibberish is a bit of a trademark. I also think Crack the Big Sky goes on a little too long, though I do like it. But the title track, Skin, Distance to the Sun, and The Healing Colors of Sound are all favorites. The ending of My Shoes (Revisited) is one of my favorite guitar solos ever.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on February 12, 2021, 09:35:21 AM
My own hot take is that I often see people talking about Day for Night as one of the weakest Neal-era albums, but I got it recently and think it might be one of my favorites.

I'm one of those people. I think it's the weakest album Neal wrote between SB and his prog work since he left SB.

I love Day for Night, but it does have a little bit of what seems like filler. I don’t care for Gibberish or The Gypsy so much, even though I know the counterpoint vocal thing on Gibberish is a bit of a trademark. I also think Crack the Big Sky goes on a little too long, though I do like it. But the title track, Skin, Distance to the Sun, and The Healing Colors of Sound are all favorites. The ending of My Shoes (Revisited) is one of my favorite guitar solos ever.

Interesting, I think Gypsy and Gibberish are two of the album's best songs. Gibberish is the better Mouth Of Madness in my opinion. And it has a killer drum solo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on February 12, 2021, 10:09:17 AM
My own hot take is that I often see people talking about Day for Night as one of the weakest Neal-era albums, but I got it recently and think it might be one of my favorites.

I'm one of those people. I think it's the weakest album Neal wrote between SB and his prog work since he left SB.

I love Day for Night, but it does have a little bit of what seems like filler. I don’t care for Gibberish or The Gypsy so much, even though I know the counterpoint vocal thing on Gibberish is a bit of a trademark. I also think Crack the Big Sky goes on a little too long, though I do like it. But the title track, Skin, Distance to the Sun, and The Healing Colors of Sound are all favorites. The ending of My Shoes (Revisited) is one of my favorite guitar solos ever.

I'm willing to give it another shot.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 12, 2021, 10:20:32 AM
I actually really like Day for night.  Although if you lined up Morse era SB it'd be botton of the pack.

still i enjoy

The Title song
Gibberish
Distance to the Sun
Crack the Sky
and The whole Healing Colors of Sound (wish he'd bring this back live)

But yea it sandwiched between too much better albums

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 10:23:08 AM
I actually really like Day for night.  Although if you lined up Morse era SB it'd be botton of the pack.

still i enjoy

The Title song
Gibberish
Distance to the Sun
Crack the Sky
and The whole Healing Colors of Sound (wish he'd bring this back live)

But yea it sandwiched between too much better albums

Yeah, I think that’s fair. It’s outshined a bit by Kindness of Strangers and V. Kindness of Strangers to me is the one SB album without a single weak track. I love that album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on February 12, 2021, 11:04:51 AM
My own hot take is that I often see people talking about Day for Night as one of the weakest Neal-era albums, but I got it recently and think it might be one of my favorites.

I love it. The title track is in my head most of the time, and has been for years.

Lay It Down is my favourite songs ever and the Healing Colors suite is great all over, in my book.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 12, 2021, 11:13:57 AM
I'm in the middle of a Day for Night spin as i type.

The first 5 tracks on it are really REALLY good.  than Gypsy and Can't get It Wrong i can leave.

Healing Colors of Sound is playing now (Specifically the Mommy section)  and this rocks.

it's honestly not a bad album at all.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 11:19:21 AM
I'm in the middle of a Day for Night spin as i type.

The first 5 tracks on it are really REALLY good.  than Gypsy and Can't get It Wrong i can leave.

Healing Colors of Sound is playing now (Specifically the Mommy section)  and this rocks.

it's honestly not a bad album at all.

I’m fond of Can’t Get it Wrong, but I can see it not doing much for someone. I always think of it as the intro to Healing Colors of Sound, even if it’s not officially. It feels like it should be.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 12, 2021, 11:29:40 AM
I'm in the middle of a Day for Night spin as i type.

The first 5 tracks on it are really REALLY good.  than Gypsy and Can't get It Wrong i can leave.

Healing Colors of Sound is playing now (Specifically the Mommy section)  and this rocks.

it's honestly not a bad album at all.

I’m fond of Can’t Get it Wrong, but I can see it not doing much for someone. I always think of it as the intro to Healing Colors of Sound, even if it’s not officially. It feels like it should be.

Just finished up Healing Colors.  It really is an unsung SB epic.  The Alan outro solo is fantastic!!!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 11:37:13 AM
I'm in the middle of a Day for Night spin as i type.

The first 5 tracks on it are really REALLY good.  than Gypsy and Can't get It Wrong i can leave.

Healing Colors of Sound is playing now (Specifically the Mommy section)  and this rocks.

it's honestly not a bad album at all.

I’m fond of Can’t Get it Wrong, but I can see it not doing much for someone. I always think of it as the intro to Healing Colors of Sound, even if it’s not officially. It feels like it should be.

Just finished up Healing Colors.  It really is an unsung SB epic.  The Alan outro solo is fantastic!!!

I love that Al Morse solo so much. That sound he got is remarkable. He’s such an underrated player, who’s maybe overshadowed a bit by his brother’s notoriety. But he’s a modern prog great in his own right.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on February 12, 2021, 11:52:53 AM
I really like the both post-Neal Morse eras. Personally, I have more fun listening to post-Neal Morse Spock's Beard than PSA and some recent records from the Neal Morse / NMB universe.

The two PSA records are good, but I think the three  last Spock's Beard records (with Ted) are much better.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 12, 2021, 12:14:15 PM
I really like the both post-Neal Morse eras. Personally, I have more fun listening to post-Neal Morse Spock's Beard than PSA and some recent records from the Neal Morse / NMB universe.

The two PSA records are good, but I think the three  last Spock's Beard records (with Ted) are much better.

as a big Enchant fan.  i really love ted era SB.....all 3 albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 12, 2021, 12:20:52 PM
I'm not very familiar with post-Neal SB, but I do own X, and I think it's pretty good (though I haven't listened to it in some time)
I really need to do some homework and check out the other albums, I've never been motivated to because of all the comparisons to Neal era SB and how nothing is as good after he left, according to many online. But like I said, X is pretty good, so it can't be that bad.


To me the trick to accepting and enjoying the post-Neal material, honestly, was to think of it as a different band.  That's why I always refer to them as SBv2.0 (Nick's Beard) and SBv2.1 (Ted's Beard).  Neal wrote all the music with the exception of 2 songs across the first 6 albums.  And he was the primary vocalist.  There was just no way they were going to be the same after Neal. 


If you go into it not expecting the original version of the band and think of it as a new, different band, I think it's just easier to swallow. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 12, 2021, 12:22:51 PM
I've tried to like the PSA albums, especially since I started working with Jimmy a few months back, but they just don't register with me. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 12:39:44 PM
I'm not very familiar with post-Neal SB, but I do own X, and I think it's pretty good (though I haven't listened to it in some time)
I really need to do some homework and check out the other albums, I've never been motivated to because of all the comparisons to Neal era SB and how nothing is as good after he left, according to many online. But like I said, X is pretty good, so it can't be that bad.


To me the trick to accepting and enjoying the post-Neal material, honestly, was to think of it as a different band.  That's why I always refer to them as SBv2.0 (Nick's Beard) and SBv2.1 (Ted's Beard).  Neal wrote all the music with the exception of 2 songs across the first 6 albums.  And he was the primary vocalist.  There was just no way they were going to be the same after Neal. 


If you go into it not expecting the original version of the band and think of it as a new, different band, I think it's just easier to swallow.

There’s definitely still some retained personality in the playing, as all of those guys have really distinctive sounds, but yeah, the songwriting changed quite a bit. You do have to accept that it’s not Neal’s band anymore, but the others are more than capable of making great music in a similar style as Neal era SB.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 12, 2021, 12:47:48 PM
For me there is something to like on every album the band called "Spock's Beard" has recorded, but when I need a Spock's Beard fix 11 times out of 10 I'm going to reach for one of those first 6 albums.  Or, "The Beard is Out There" which has a live version of "The Light" that sounds better than the original recording.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on February 12, 2021, 01:08:32 PM

To me the trick to accepting and enjoying the post-Neal material, honestly, was to think of it as a different band.  That's why I always refer to them as SBv2.0 (Nick's Beard) and SBv2.1 (Ted's Beard).  Neal wrote all the music with the exception of 2 songs across the first 6 albums.  And he was the primary vocalist. There was just no way they were going to be the same after Neal. 


If you go into it not expecting the original version of the band and think of it as a new, different band, I think it's just easier to swallow.

Yes, certainly in terms of songwriting, they are not the same. But looking at it from the perspective of the last few years, I think it's a positive point for the music they produced. It is not exactly the same, it is not repetitive since day 1. My current problem with NM / NMB is just that, Neal is still the same.  :lol

I understand the point "when I need a SB I'm going to reach for one of those first 6 albums". I can say the same about Neal Morse: when I need NM music I'm going to SB (Neal era), Testimony, One, Question Mark, Sola Scriptura, Transatlantic, etc. I don't need Sola Gratia, JCTE or NMB albums.

(But I end up listening to these records anyway   :rollin)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 01:10:27 PM

To me the trick to accepting and enjoying the post-Neal material, honestly, was to think of it as a different band.  That's why I always refer to them as SBv2.0 (Nick's Beard) and SBv2.1 (Ted's Beard).  Neal wrote all the music with the exception of 2 songs across the first 6 albums.  And he was the primary vocalist. There was just no way they were going to be the same after Neal. 


If you go into it not expecting the original version of the band and think of it as a new, different band, I think it's just easier to swallow.

Yes, certainly in terms of songwriting, they are not the same. But looking at it from the perspective of the last few years, I think it's a positive point for the music they produced. It is not exactly the same, it is not repetitive since day 1. My current problem with NM / NMB is just that, Neal is still the same.  :lol

I understand the point "when I need a SB I'm going to reach for one of those first 6 albums". I can say the same about Neal Morse: when I need NM music I'm going to SB (Neal era), Testimony, One, Question Mark, Sola Scriptura, Transatlantic, etc. I don't need Sola Gratia, JCTE or NMB albums.

(But I end up listening to these records anyway   :rollin)

Yeah, I will also say I prefer the post Neal SB output to Neal’s post-SB output. So it all works out!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 12, 2021, 01:41:06 PM
you know i said all i said about Neal becoming repetitive.  but.....i'll still take his stuff over about 90 percent of 70's acts newer stuff honestly, lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 12, 2021, 06:43:55 PM
you know i said all i said about Neal becoming repetitive.  but.....i'll still take his stuff over about 90 percent of 70's acts newer stuff honestly, lol

I will as well, and while he will never be as heralded as the original bands of the genre, he wipes the floor with most of them when it comes to longevity AND quality.  Think of how many of those original acts blew their wad when it came to high quality music in 5-7 years, while here we are over 25 years later and Neal is still spitting out good prog stuff like he wakes up and it's just there and ready for him to record (which I think probably happens :lol).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 06:54:46 PM
you know i said all i said about Neal becoming repetitive.  but.....i'll still take his stuff over about 90 percent of 70's acts newer stuff honestly, lol

I will as well, and while he will never be as heralded as the original bands of the genre, he wipes the floor with most of them when it comes to longevity AND quality.  Think of how many of those original acts blew their wad when it came to high quality music in 5-7 years, while here we are over 25 years later and Neal is still spitting out good prog stuff like he wakes up and it's just there and ready for him to record (which I think probably happens :lol).

You know, I really think Neal and Spock’s Beard are unfairly slagged as being derivative of 70s prog. Does he take cues from that period? Absolutely. Is he a carbon copy of Yes or Genesis or Kansas, not really. Listening back through some early SB this week reminded me of how cool and unique that band really was. They had a Beatles-esque pop edge and even a bit of a 90s rock edge at times. They also had kind of a 70s singer/songwriter vibe at times. They were their own melting pot of sounds and styles including classic prog, but they were literally one of only a handful of acts even incorporating that style at a time when the genre was otherwise on life support.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 12, 2021, 08:14:11 PM
you know i said all i said about Neal becoming repetitive.  but.....i'll still take his stuff over about 90 percent of 70's acts newer stuff honestly, lol

I will as well, and while he will never be as heralded as the original bands of the genre, he wipes the floor with most of them when it comes to longevity AND quality.  Think of how many of those original acts blew their wad when it came to high quality music in 5-7 years, while here we are over 25 years later and Neal is still spitting out good prog stuff like he wakes up and it's just there and ready for him to record (which I think probably happens :lol).

You know, I really think Neal and Spock’s Beard are unfairly slagged as being derivative of 70s prog. Does he take cues from that period? Absolutely. Is he a carbon copy of Yes or Genesis or Kansas, not really. Listening back through some early SB this week reminded me of how cool and unique that band really was. They had a Beatles-esque pop edge and even a bit of a 90s rock edge at times. They also had kind of a 70s singer/songwriter vibe at times. They were their own melting pot of sounds and styles including classic prog, but they were literally one of only a handful of acts even incorporating that style at a time when the genre was otherwise on life support.

you know what i love about neal Era SB......and i may get shot here.  but i believe Neal's retro prog has a sense of fun that i rarely find in those oh so artsy 70's acts.

and i LOVE the first wave, BTW
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 12, 2021, 08:36:30 PM
you know i said all i said about Neal becoming repetitive.  but.....i'll still take his stuff over about 90 percent of 70's acts newer stuff honestly, lol

I will as well, and while he will never be as heralded as the original bands of the genre, he wipes the floor with most of them when it comes to longevity AND quality.  Think of how many of those original acts blew their wad when it came to high quality music in 5-7 years, while here we are over 25 years later and Neal is still spitting out good prog stuff like he wakes up and it's just there and ready for him to record (which I think probably happens :lol).

You know, I really think Neal and Spock’s Beard are unfairly slagged as being derivative of 70s prog. Does he take cues from that period? Absolutely. Is he a carbon copy of Yes or Genesis or Kansas, not really. Listening back through some early SB this week reminded me of how cool and unique that band really was. They had a Beatles-esque pop edge and even a bit of a 90s rock edge at times. They also had kind of a 70s singer/songwriter vibe at times. They were their own melting pot of sounds and styles including classic prog, but they were literally one of only a handful of acts even incorporating that style at a time when the genre was otherwise on life support.

you know what i love about neal Era SB......and i may get shot here.  but i believe Neal's retro prog has a sense of fun that i rarely find in those oh so artsy 70's acts.

and i LOVE the first wave, BTW

Yeah, the overall aesthetic was so different. More fun or more exuberant or more joyful. Most of the 70s prog bands were British so maybe that’s the big difference. There are times I think SB sound more like Kansas than the UK prog acts. But also the production values and style was modern (for the time). It’s not like their sound was really stuck in the 70s at all. I still think a band like Porcupine Tree hugged the sound and style of the 70s prog bands more closely than Spock’s Beard did in the 90s.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 13, 2021, 08:38:56 AM
I agree with you guys.  While the influences are pretty clear when you listen to Neal era Spock's Beard, they sound still sound their own thing, not a derivative knockoff, and I totally agree that they had the fun factor that you rarely got from the original bands of the genre.  I also think it helps that Spock's has always had a very American production (more wall of sound than that airy European sound, if you get my meaning), so they sonically didn't sound like any of the original prog bands of the late 60's and 70's except maybe Kansas at times.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 13, 2021, 08:45:36 AM
Than you go and watch ANY Neal era show.  the guy was magnetic.  for all his personal problems he was having.  every show was fun as hell.  Most of those 70's acts were so bland in comparison.  i mean taking out Gabriel tony banks had the stage personality of a wet mop, lol talented bands all but too stoic for me most times.  but hey i come from theater, lol

then watch Ryo......damn infectious. he's having so much fun up there.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 13, 2021, 08:53:19 AM
Than you go and watch ANY Neal era show.  the guy was magnetic.  for all his personal problems he was having.  every show was fun as hell.  Most of those 70's acts were so bland in comparison.  i mean taking out Gabriel tony banks had the stage personality of a wet mop, lol talented bands all but too stoic for me most times.  but hey i come from theater, lol

then watch Ryo......damn infectious. he's having so much fun up there.

So true.

I will never get the prog fans, and make no mistake about it that there are some like this, who want to go to a show and sit their quietly and watch the band just stand there and play their instruments proficiently (and inevitably come to the internet to bitch when the guitarist played the one note wrong in the one solo).  Concerts are supposed to be fun!  Granted, we all have our own idea of what is fun, and if fun to some is to just sit there and stare at the fingers of the players the whole show, more power to 'em. 

Note: this is not a standing vs sitting at concerts take. ;)   I can still have fun and enjoy the heck out of a concert while sitting for the bulk of it, which is preferable at 47. :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Orbert on February 13, 2021, 09:11:41 AM
I am one of those, and always have been.  I go to a concert to hear the music performed live, by my favorite musicians.  Maybe it's my background in classical music, or maybe it's just that personally I'm boring as fuck, but I don't give a damn about the "show" or the "fun factor".  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great musical performance, whether it's classical, jazz, rock and roll, or anything else.  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great performance of music I don't even like.  The people around me standing up and screaming... I wish they'd just sit down and shut the fuck up.  I'm trying to hear the music.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 13, 2021, 09:12:31 AM
Than you go and watch ANY Neal era show.  the guy was magnetic.  for all his personal problems he was having.  every show was fun as hell.  Most of those 70's acts were so bland in comparison.  i mean taking out Gabriel tony banks had the stage personality of a wet mop, lol talented bands all but too stoic for me most times.  but hey i come from theater, lol

then watch Ryo......damn infectious. he's having so much fun up there.

So true.

I will never get the prog fans, and make no mistake about it that there are some like this, who want to go to a show and sit their quietly and watch the band just stand there and play their instruments proficiently (and inevitably come to the internet to bitch when the guitarist played the one note wrong in the one solo).  Concerts are supposed to be fun!  Granted, we all have our own idea of what is fun, and if fun to some is to just sit there and stare at the fingers of the players the whole show, more power to 'em. 

Note: this is not a standing vs sitting at concerts take. ;)   I can still have fun and enjoy the heck out of a concert while sitting for the bulk of it, which is preferable at 47. :lol :lol

well friend.  i have Cerebral Paley so i must sit :lol  so i get annoyed when people stand in my view at shows.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on February 13, 2021, 08:03:42 PM
Ryo is working on his new solo album and posted an update on his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/100053172201295/posts/227337365715335/

I was gonna post this in the main SB thread but it hasn't been updated since 2017, so I figured this was better.

-Marc.

Cool!  I hope it's fusion.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on February 13, 2021, 08:08:29 PM
I'm in the middle of a Day for Night spin as i type.

The first 5 tracks on it are really REALLY good.  than Gypsy and Can't get It Wrong i can leave.

Healing Colors of Sound is playing now (Specifically the Mommy section)  and this rocks.

it's honestly not a bad album at all.

I’m fond of Can’t Get it Wrong, but I can see it not doing much for someone. I always think of it as the intro to Healing Colors of Sound, even if it’s not officially. It feels like it should be.

Just finished up Healing Colors.  It really is an unsung SB epic.  The Alan outro solo is fantastic!!!


There is nothing quite like seeing that live. It's just stunning!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on February 13, 2021, 08:10:34 PM
For me there is something to like on every album the band called "Spock's Beard" has recorded, but when I need a Spock's Beard fix 11 times out of 10 I'm going to reach for one of those first 6 albums.  Or, "The Beard is Out There" which has a live version of "The Light" that sounds better than the original recording.

First five for me or one of the live albums/DVDs from that period.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on February 13, 2021, 08:21:35 PM
you know i said all i said about Neal becoming repetitive.  but.....i'll still take his stuff over about 90 percent of 70's acts newer stuff honestly, lol

I will as well, and while he will never be as heralded as the original bands of the genre, he wipes the floor with most of them when it comes to longevity AND quality.  Think of how many of those original acts blew their wad when it came to high quality music in 5-7 years, while here we are over 25 years later and Neal is still spitting out good prog stuff like he wakes up and it's just there and ready for him to record (which I think probably happens :lol).

You know, I really think Neal and Spock’s Beard are unfairly slagged as being derivative of 70s prog. Does he take cues from that period? Absolutely. Is he a carbon copy of Yes or Genesis or Kansas, not really. Listening back through some early SB this week reminded me of how cool and unique that band really was. They had a Beatles-esque pop edge and even a bit of a 90s rock edge at times. They also had kind of a 70s singer/songwriter vibe at times. They were their own melting pot of sounds and styles including classic prog, but they were literally one of only a handful of acts even incorporating that style at a time when the genre was otherwise on life support.


That band was amazing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on February 13, 2021, 08:25:13 PM
I am one of those, and always have been.  I go to a concert to hear the music performed live, by my favorite musicians.  Maybe it's my background in classical music, or maybe it's just that personally I'm boring as fuck, but I don't give a damn about the "show" or the "fun factor".  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great musical performance, whether it's classical, jazz, rock and roll, or anything else.  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great performance of music I don't even like.  The people around me standing up and screaming... I wish they'd just sit down and shut the fuck up.  I'm trying to hear the music.

Depends on the band. I'm right there with you for King Crimson, Carl Palmer or jazz-fusion.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 13, 2021, 08:34:38 PM
I am one of those, and always have been.  I go to a concert to hear the music performed live, by my favorite musicians.  Maybe it's my background in classical music, or maybe it's just that personally I'm boring as fuck, but I don't give a damn about the "show" or the "fun factor".  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great musical performance, whether it's classical, jazz, rock and roll, or anything else.  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great performance of music I don't even like.  The people around me standing up and screaming... I wish they'd just sit down and shut the fuck up.  I'm trying to hear the music.

I respect this.  I suspect that if I were a musician like you are, I might feel differently, but as a non-musician, I am there for the fun and to have a good time.  Don't get me wrong, there are many times where I focus on a musician for a solo or something, but other times it's just fun to endlessly rock!  I remember the Neal Morse Band tour where they did the medley in the encore and I couldn't tell you what the band was doing during the segment where they played The Conflict intro (and I was in the 1st row!!).  I was in full rock out mode.  :metal :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on February 14, 2021, 02:25:30 AM
I saw them on the FE tour in London and they were great to watch with Nick out in front too. Great fun.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on February 14, 2021, 02:57:10 AM
I saw them on the FE tour in London and they were great to watch with Nick out in front too. Great fun.

Oh yeah, I saw them in 2008 with NDV fronting too. He was (is) a great frontman, very charismatic.

Edit: I forgot to mention: they played the whole Great Nothing. That opening choir chord had my friend (14 at the time) and me (15 at the time) looking at each other thinking "are they really gonna play this whole friggin song" and going completely nuts for the next 27 minutes in the first row.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 14, 2021, 05:44:17 AM
I am one of those, and always have been.  I go to a concert to hear the music performed live, by my favorite musicians.  Maybe it's my background in classical music, or maybe it's just that personally I'm boring as fuck, but I don't give a damn about the "show" or the "fun factor".  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great musical performance, whether it's classical, jazz, rock and roll, or anything else.  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great performance of music I don't even like.  The people around me standing up and screaming... I wish they'd just sit down and shut the fuck up.  I'm trying to hear the music.


This guy is clearly my brother from another mother!  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on February 22, 2021, 11:17:59 AM
My copy of The First Twenty Years came in, listening to the first disc now, saving the 2nd disc for later. Seems like a good playlist.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on February 22, 2021, 11:23:07 AM
My copy of The First Twenty Years came in, listening to the first disc now, saving the 2nd disc for later. Seems like a good playlist.

If it's yout first time listening to it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Falling for Forever :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 22, 2021, 11:28:55 AM
My copy of The First Twenty Years came in, listening to the first disc now, saving the 2nd disc for later. Seems like a good playlist.

If it's yout first time listening to it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Falling for Forever :tup

Agreed - FFF is a pretty great epic! And the track list for the compilation as a whole is pretty good, at least as far as the Neal-Era is concerned. For the Nick Era, they definitely should have included "Ghosts Of Autumn" and maybe one more song from Octane. As an introduction to SB, it definitely serves its purpose, and makes a great gift for anyone looking to introduce a friend to the band's evolving sound. Of course, when it came out, i bought it solely for the new epic, but since I had all of the other songs on my phone from the other albums, I made an album/playlist of B-Sides and Bonus Tracks in reverse-chronological order, then ending with "Falling For Forever" as the climactic epic closer.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on February 22, 2021, 12:26:30 PM
I am one of those, and always have been.  I go to a concert to hear the music performed live, by my favorite musicians.  Maybe it's my background in classical music, or maybe it's just that personally I'm boring as fuck, but I don't give a damn about the "show" or the "fun factor".  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great musical performance, whether it's classical, jazz, rock and roll, or anything else.  I'll sit quietly and enjoy a great performance of music I don't even like.  The people around me standing up and screaming... I wish they'd just sit down and shut the fuck up.  I'm trying to hear the music.


This guy is clearly my brother from another mother!  :tup

Count me in as another brother with this line of thinking!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on February 22, 2021, 12:46:40 PM
My copy of The First Twenty Years came in, listening to the first disc now, saving the 2nd disc for later. Seems like a good playlist.

If it's yout first time listening to it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Falling for Forever :tup

It's my first time hearing the majority of songs on disc 2, as I only have X from post-Neal SB, but I basically bought it for FFF.

I'm listening to disc 1 earlier, and having been listening to Neal's more recent albums a lot lately, I now hear the aging in his voice. During At The End of the Day his voice sounds so young, that part around 10:39 belting out that note "whooooa" I couldn't believe it. The production sounds great on this compilation, I think these songs sound better than the copies of the respective albums that I have, especially The Light. I'm sure there was some remastering for this release.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 22, 2021, 01:18:24 PM
My copy of The First Twenty Years came in, listening to the first disc now, saving the 2nd disc for later. Seems like a good playlist.

If it's yout first time listening to it, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by Falling for Forever :tup

It's my first time hearing the majority of songs on disc 2, as I only have X from post-Neal SB, but I basically bought it for FFF.

I'm listening to disc 1 earlier, and having been listening to Neal's more recent albums a lot lately, I now hear the aging in his voice. During At The End of the Day his voice sounds so young, that part around 10:39 belting out that note "whooooa" I couldn't believe it. The production sounds great on this compilation, I think these songs sound better than the copies of the respective albums that I have, especially The Light. I'm sure there was some remastering for this release.

According to the sticker blurb on the album, it says it was "Remastered by Rich Mouser", so I assume he touched up a lot, if not all of the tracks on the album.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on February 23, 2021, 05:03:26 PM
You guys were right. Falling For Forever is fantastic. I've listened a few times already and I think it's one of Neal's best. He may as well just do a reunion album at this point, especially during these times.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 23, 2021, 06:29:41 PM
You guys were right. Falling For Forever is fantastic. I've listened a few times already and I think it's one of Neal's best. He may as well just do a reunion album at this point, especially during these times.

i'd buy a reunion album.  hes done appearances with them here and there.....Also a Snow Reunion.  why not an album?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on February 23, 2021, 07:09:32 PM
You guys were right. Falling For Forever is fantastic. I've listened a few times already and I think it's one of Neal's best. He may as well just do a reunion album at this point, especially during these times.

i'd buy a reunion album.  hes done appearances with them here and there.....Also a Snow Reunion.  why not an album?

I'd take a reunion IF they also keep Ted, he's too good to loose. But now that there's PSA, he'd technically still involved with SB in some way.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 23, 2021, 07:12:29 PM
You guys were right. Falling For Forever is fantastic. I've listened a few times already and I think it's one of Neal's best. He may as well just do a reunion album at this point, especially during these times.

i'd buy a reunion album.  hes done appearances with them here and there.....Also a Snow Reunion.  why not an album?

I'd take a reunion IF they also keep Ted, he's too good to loose. But now that there's PSA, he'd technically still involved with SB in some way.

i was a huge Enchant fan before he joined SB.  i love all 3 of the SB albums with him.  So i agree.  I'd want him involved too.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 23, 2021, 08:32:56 PM
You guys were right. Falling For Forever is fantastic. I've listened a few times already and I think it's one of Neal's best. He may as well just do a reunion album at this point, especially during these times.

i'd buy a reunion album.  hes done appearances with them here and there.....Also a Snow Reunion.  why not an album?

I'd take a reunion IF they also keep Ted, he's too good to loose. But now that there's PSA, he'd technically still involved with SB in some way.

Spock’s Beard with Neal, Nick, and Ted would be amazing and I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t all be in the same band sharing lead vocal duties or even just Ted being lead with Neal on keyboards and Nick on drums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 23, 2021, 09:01:09 PM
I honestly wonder if Al, Dave, Ryo, and Ted have talked about that possibility before, especially after the two Snow performances. It would be a huge shot in the arm for the band's career, especially for fans who weren't very keen on the Ted-era albums as they went on.

An album with Ted, Nick, and Neal would be a wet dream, especially if the music is as good as "Falling For Forever", but that is honestly up to Neal. Considering his music has outputs in his solo stuff, the Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, and Transatlantic, I'm not sure he feels the need to revisit SB for new original material.

Al did use some of his writing with X's "The Emperor's Clothes" and BNADS' "Afterthoughts" and "Waiting For Me", so it's not like Neal's touch has been entirely absent from SB in the last decade.

It also depends on Nick's schedule, and if things are looking like BBT might still do shows this year, I'm sure he'll be busy preparing for those.

And of course, Ted and Dave are busy with PSA's 3rd album, and once touring becomes a viable option again, I'm sure they will want to tour, especially with 3 albums of material to tour on.

With all that in mind, I don't see *any* activity happening in the SB camp in 2021, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 23, 2021, 09:04:12 PM
Well, not to be a spoil sport, but this is unrealistic.  Neal left the band 19 years ago and is in three bands right now, not even counting his solo career; does he need to reunite with the band he was in two decades ago? That same band that seems all but done on their own anyway, demonstrated by the fact that some of the members have splintered off into their own new band? Nah.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 23, 2021, 09:15:35 PM
Well, not to be a spoil sport, but this is unrealistic.  Neal left the band 19 years ago and is in three bands right now, not even counting his solo career; does he need to reunite with the band he was in two decades ago? That same band that seems all but done on their own anyway, demonstrated by the fact that some of the members have splintered off into their own new band? Nah.

I’m not saying there’s any impetus for it, but it’s not as if Neal is unwilling to revisit SB since he’s done Snow and Falling Forever plus had some input on Brief Nocturns. He definitely is busy with other stuff though. Maybe he’d be willing to do a guest appearance for one song or something.

I think it’s much more likely that Nick would come back as a full member. Just judging by his recent videos where he talks about his time in SB and covers some of their songs all by himself, he clearly still loves the music and he seems like he might currently have as much enthusiasm for the band as anyone else. He’s busy with Sweetwater and Big Big Train, but it’s not like they tour a lot and I think he’s pretty set up to record at Sweetwater whenever he wants, so recording with the band wouldn’t be a problem.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 23, 2021, 10:13:29 PM
I honestly don't think it's likely.  but i just think.......maybe.....in the slimmest  possible way, lol.  yes Neal left.  but he's not exactly been mr absent with the band, lol.  as others have noted.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: lucasembarbosa on February 24, 2021, 11:56:27 AM
I've been revisiting SB's discography with more attention recently and I couldn't find anywhere a live record of Nick D'Virgilio singing The Light. Does it even exists?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 24, 2021, 12:01:27 PM
I've been revisiting SB's discography with more attention recently and I couldn't find anywhere a live record of Nick D'Virgilio singing The Light. Does it even exists?

That seems like an especially Neal-ish song, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they never did it without him.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 24, 2021, 12:07:34 PM
I've been revisiting SB's discography with more attention recently and I couldn't find anywhere a live record of Nick D'Virgilio singing The Light. Does it even exists?

https://www.discogs.com/Spocks-Beard-Gluttons-For-Punishment-Live-In-05/master/465257

Their 2005 live album, Gluttons For Punishment, featured "The Light" as an encore.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 24, 2021, 12:12:07 PM
I've been revisiting SB's discography with more attention recently and I couldn't find anywhere a live record of Nick D'Virgilio singing The Light. Does it even exists?

https://www.discogs.com/Spocks-Beard-Gluttons-For-Punishment-Live-In-05/master/465257

Their 2005 live album, Gluttons For Punishment, featured "The Light" as an encore.

-Marc.



it's quite a good version too.  but i link it so much to Neal that that version seems wrong, lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 24, 2021, 02:04:20 PM
Well, not to be a spoil sport, but this is unrealistic.  Neal left the band 19 years ago and is in three bands right now, not even counting his solo career; does he need to reunite with the band he was in two decades ago? That same band that seems all but done on their own anyway, demonstrated by the fact that some of the members have splintered off into their own new band? Nah.


Yeah, I don't see it happening either.  Spock's Beard is over.  I'd be surprised to see any new music from Spock's Beard. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 25, 2021, 11:00:18 AM
I could see Spock's doing another album here in a few years and continue the new trend of putting a new album out every once in a while, but they have been done as touring entity for years now, and they are not even really an active studio band anymore (in the sense of one that works regularly).  But hey, they had a helluva good run.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on February 25, 2021, 01:42:27 PM
One of the few bands that never really released a complete dud of an album.   Even after losing their primary songwriter they managed to pick up the pieces, reinvent themselves and come out swinging.  Gotta give them a lot of credit for their longevity and the overall high quality of their output.  I can only think of a relatively small number of bands who were as consistently good for that long. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: bluefox4000 on February 25, 2021, 01:46:22 PM
Yea all 3 eras have worthwhile albums.

Example.....i consider X to be an all time classic.  Peak and end of the Nick era.

than.....they surprised me with brief Nocturnes.  a big fav as well.

quality band man.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on February 25, 2021, 01:54:11 PM
Yep, X and Brief Nocturnes... are definitely my favorite post-Neal Spock's records.  Even the least best ones like the self-titled record and Noise Floor have some good stuff on there.  I definitely agree that they are a band that never released a dud.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: SoundscapeMN on March 24, 2021, 09:05:41 PM
bump.

:tup

Fantastic 4-minute 15-song Medley from Claudius Taubert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPznRqo321Y
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 24, 2021, 09:53:11 PM
bump.

:tup

Fantastic 4-minute 15-song Medley from Claudius Taubert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPznRqo321Y

Very cool!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 26, 2021, 07:26:50 AM
The Venus slowly rises in the night
The people softly lit by restless moonlight
And as the Jackal preys upon the Netherworld
You can hear as she surprises and sings... RISE!


*drum solo*

Harm’s Way and the whole Kindness of Strangers album has to be some of Neal’s finest songwriting.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Cocopjojo on March 26, 2021, 11:25:06 AM
The Venus slowly rises in the night
The people softly lit by restless moonlight
And as the Jackal preys upon the Netherworld
You can hear as she surprises and sings... RISE!


*drum solo*

Harm’s Way and the whole Kindness of Strangers album has to be some of Neal’s finest songwriting.
Agreed. I've been appreciating that section you quoted for 20 years now, and it hasn't gotten old. Top tier Neal.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 26, 2021, 08:56:32 PM
I did a recent spin through the entire Spock's Beard discography (a friend and I did a daily texting listening party of sorts where we would discuss each Spock's album in order), and I can safely say that Harm's Way has held up as a top 5 Spock's tune along with The Light, The Doorway, Flow and either Jaws of Heaven or At the End of the Day. Those last two kind of duke it out for that 5th spot.  Wind at My Back, From the Darkness, Solitary Soul and Thoughts would probably round out my top 10.

And I once again think that Snow is their best album.  Yeah, it's a bit bloated, especially on the second disc, but it's still just so damn great.

Noise Floor and the self-titled album definitely came out of this experience as the least best of the bunch.  Not bad albums, just don't up to the level of the rest.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 26, 2021, 09:22:29 PM
I did a recent spin through the entire Spock's Beard discography (a friend and I did a daily texting listening party of sorts where we would discuss each Spock's album in order), and I can safely say that Harm's Way has held up as a top 5 Spock's tune along with The Light, The Doorway, Flow and either Jaws of Heaven or At the End of the Day. Those last two kind of duke it out for that 5th spot.  Wind at My Back, From the Darkness, Solitary Soul and Thoughts would probably round out my top 10.

And I once again think that Snow is their best album.  Yeah, it's a bit bloated, especially on the second disc, but it's still just so damn great.

Noise Floor and the self-titled album definitely came out of this experience as the least best of the bunch.  Not bad albums, just don't up to the level of the rest.

I have a hard time picking a favorite from Beware of Darkness, Kindness of Strangers, Day for Night, V, and Snow. But I still think Kindness of Strangers is kind of the perfect blend of pop and prog. It also just doesn’t really have a weak spot, whereas all the others have at least one track I don’t really care for.

I need to give Brief Nocturnes and Oblivion Particle a closer listen. Those two just haven’t had a huge impact on me. I do really love Noise Floor though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 26, 2021, 09:28:33 PM
Even though it has still has three songs for which I have zero use, I like Day for Night way more than I did at first. I listen to that a lot now (sans the three bad songs).

Brief Noctures... is great.  I'd probably put four or five songs from that in my top 30, even if none break the top 10.

Top 5 albums are pretty set in stone now (until my next run through :lol)

Snow
Beware of Darkness
X
Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
The Light

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: SoundscapeMN on March 26, 2021, 09:44:05 PM
i consider all the Neal albums basically equal. Snow is the most ambitious, but it is too long to separate itself from the others.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 26, 2021, 09:48:01 PM
Even though it has still has three songs for which I have zero use, I like Day for Night way more than I did at first. I listen to that a lot now (sans the three bad songs).

Brief Noctures... is great.  I'd probably put four or five songs from that in my top 30, even if none break the top 10.

Top 5 albums are pretty set in stone now (until my next run through :lol)

Snow
Beware of Darkness
X
Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
The Light

My top 5 would probably go something like:

Kindness of Strangers
V
Snow
Day for Night
Beware of Darkness

I think the next two would actually be Feel Euphoria and Noise Floor but not sure the order. Octane and X are in that tier too probably.

The Light is tricky. I love the title track, and Go The Way You Go is good, but the rest is kind of rough.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 26, 2021, 10:00:17 PM
i consider all the Neal albums basically equal. Snow is the most ambitious, but it is too long to separate itself from the others.

It’s such a remarkable run of creativity from Neal. Even though I haven’t been a huge fan of his music since he left SB, Neal did so much with SB (and Transatlantic) in such a short time that he will always be a musical giant in my mind.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 26, 2021, 10:07:59 PM
My full ranking was:

01 Snow
02 Beware of Darkness
03 X
04 The Light
05 Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
06 V
07 The Kindness of Strangers
08 Feel Euphoria
09 Day for Night
10 Octane
11 The Oblivion Particle
12 Spock's Beard
13 Noise Floor

I rank albums based off the proper albums. I do not consider the bonus tracks part of the proper album.  Had Brief Nocturnes included some of those awesome bonus disc songs and left off Afterthoughts, that could have been 02 or 03 on my list.

Despite being only at 10, Octane has aged really well for me.  The gap between the top 10 and the bottom 3 is, well, maybe not large, but somewhat sizable.

The Oblivion Particle sounds awesome, I love how colorful and flavorful it sounds, and I like some of the weirdness of it, but too many of the songs simply do not stick to landing.

V is a hard one to judge sometimes. It has a borderline top 5 tune and everything else is pretty darn good, but there is something about the album that prevents it from a top tier one, and I still have a hard time defining what that is.  The songwriting is still strong enough to put at 06, but there is something odd about the overall vibe as a whole that prevents me at this point from calling a top tier Spock's record.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 26, 2021, 10:17:40 PM
V is a hard one to judge sometimes. It has a borderline top 5 tune and everything else is pretty darn good, but there is something about the album that prevents it from a top tier one, and I still have a hard time defining what that is.  The songwriting is still strong enough to put at 06, but there is something odd about the overall vibe as a whole that prevents me at this point from calling a top tier Spock's record.

V was my first SB album, and I got it soon after getting the first two TA albums, so I’ve always associated it somewhat with those albums. But it could be that Neal was somewhat influenced by the experience making SMPTe when making V.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on March 27, 2021, 06:25:28 AM
Snow just has too much bloat for me to rate it higher...it'd rank dead last in my ranking (and I find Wind At My Back to be one of his blandest endings). It's also where Neal's old quirky style seemed to die out and be replaced by the more typical prog sound he has now. There's a lot to like on it though, I just wish it had been edited a bit more (along with Testimony).

My full ranking was:

V is a hard one to judge sometimes. It has a borderline top 5 tune and everything else is pretty darn good, but there is something about the album that prevents it from a top tier one, and I still have a hard time defining what that is.  The songwriting is still strong enough to put at 06, but there is something odd about the overall vibe as a whole that prevents me at this point from calling a top tier Spock's record.

V is my all-time favorite SB album but I actually kind of agree about the oddness of the vibe. I feel like it's missing a song or something (I have the same opinion about The Light, Permanent Waves, and Hemispheres). But the strength of each other track just pushes it over the edge. Revelations has to be the absolute most overlooked SB track in existence.

My ranking:

1. V
2. Day For Night
3. Feel Euphoria
4. Beware Of Darkness
5. The Kindness of Strangers
6. The Oblivion Particle
7. Noise Floor
8. X
9. The Light
10. Octane
11. Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep (agreed about the bonus tracks...they exceed a good portion of the regular tracks imo)
12. Spock's Beard
13. Snow
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 27, 2021, 07:16:14 AM
But it could be that Neal was somewhat influenced by the experience making SMPTe when making V.

Could be that I read this wrong, but if you're saying Neal was influenced by SMPTe when making V then no. V is from 2000 and SMPTe is from 2001.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 27, 2021, 07:19:54 AM
SMPTe is from 2000 and came out a few months before V.

I know this because I got SMPTe shortly after its release (my brother heard it first and played it for me and I was won over right away), which led me to check out Spock's and Flower Kings immediately.  I got Beware of Darkness and The Kindness of Strangers first, and then V came out shortly after that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 27, 2021, 07:54:46 AM
SMPTe is from 2000 and came out a few months before V.

I know this because I got SMPTe shortly after its release (my brother heard it first and played it for me and I was won over right away), which led me to check out Spock's and Flower Kings immediately.  I got Beware of Darkness and The Kindness of Strangers first, and then V came out shortly after that.

Yeah, I even double checked this before I posted last night. SMPTe was March of 2000 and was recorded in June/July of 2019. V was released in August of 2000 so I’m assuming it was recorded somewhere between then and July 2019 but I don’t know that for sure. It does seem to have a similar epic feel though (probably more just the kind of songs Neal was into writing at the time).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on March 27, 2021, 08:18:13 AM
SMPTe is from 2000 and came out a few months before V.

I know this because I got SMPTe shortly after its release (my brother heard it first and played it for me and I was won over right away), which led me to check out Spock's and Flower Kings immediately.  I got Beware of Darkness and The Kindness of Strangers first, and then V came out shortly after that.

Yeah, I even double checked this before I posted last night. SMPTe was March of 2000 and was recorded in June/July of 2019. V was released in August of 2000 so I’m assuming it was recorded somewhere between then and July 2019 but I don’t know that for sure. It does seem to have a similar epic feel though (probably more just the kind of songs Neal was into writing at the time).

Neal must be a time lord if he recorded V 19 years after it was released! :lol

If I had the time today, I'd pop in my Making Of V DVD to find out exactly when V was written and recorded in relation to the first Transatlantic album sessions (June/July 1999) and tour (June 2000). I'd imagine they recorded V sometime in early 2000 but I can't be too sure, but I'm certain it was written after the SMPTe sessions, so Neal may have been influenced by it. I did read in a review that Neal was listening to a lot of Genesis' Three Sides Live when writing V though!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 27, 2021, 08:23:54 AM
SMPTe is from 2000 and came out a few months before V.

I know this because I got SMPTe shortly after its release (my brother heard it first and played it for me and I was won over right away), which led me to check out Spock's and Flower Kings immediately.  I got Beware of Darkness and The Kindness of Strangers first, and then V came out shortly after that.

Yeah, I even double checked this before I posted last night. SMPTe was March of 2000 and was recorded in June/July of 2019. V was released in August of 2000 so I’m assuming it was recorded somewhere between then and July 2019 but I don’t know that for sure. It does seem to have a similar epic feel though (probably more just the kind of songs Neal was into writing at the time).

Neal must be a time lord if he recorded V 19 years after it was released! :lol

If I had the time today, I'd pop in my Making Of V DVD to find out exactly when V was written and recorded in relation to the first Transatlantic album sessions (June/July 1999) and tour (June 2000). I'd imagine they recorded V sometime in early 2000 but I can't be too sure, but I'm certain it was written after the SMPTe sessions, so Neal may have been influenced by it. I did read in a review that Neal was listening to a lot of Genesis' Three Sides Live when writing V though!

-Marc.

When you’re old the decades all run together. Not sure how I came up with 2019 for 1999 though!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 27, 2021, 08:33:47 AM
I probably haven't watched the making of V since shortly after its release, but I seem to recall that that was one where it showed a clip of Neal driving to the studio in his car and he had All of the Above from SMPTe playing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 27, 2021, 09:05:52 AM
Well now I’m on a total SB kick. Listened to Day for Night earlier this week, Kindness of Strangers and Beware of Darkness yesterday, Feel Euphoria and V this morning.

One thing I’m noting is the sound/production quality seems to have jumped a good bit with V.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 27, 2021, 10:37:15 AM
Well now I’m on a total SB kick. Listened to Day for Night earlier this week, Kindness of Strangers and Beware of Darkness yesterday, Feel Euphoria and V this morning.

One thing I’m noting is the sound/production quality seems to have jumped a good bit with V.

Just finishing up Brief Nocturnes. It really is a strong album, and I find myself enjoying all of the songs. The highlights are Hiding Out, Submerged, and Waiting for Me. Afterthoughts is a fun recall of early SB too. Some of the rest of it mushes together in my brain again. I will say the overall production on this and Oblivion Particle feels a bit too heavy handed (and part of that might be Jimmy’s drumming style). Just a very in your face production/mix without a ton of dynamic range. Gets a little fatiguing. I also think Noise Floor was a big step up in terms of production and range of sound and style.

That said Waiting for Me is a magnificent song in every way, with some really wonderful Al Morse guitar solos and a strong early SB vibe. Was that one written with Neal?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 27, 2021, 10:53:58 AM
SMPTe is from 2000 and came out a few months before V.

I know this because I got SMPTe shortly after its release (my brother heard it first and played it for me and I was won over right away), which led me to check out Spock's and Flower Kings immediately.  I got Beware of Darkness and The Kindness of Strangers first, and then V came out shortly after that.

Yeah, I even double checked this before I posted last night. SMPTe was March of 2000 and was recorded in June/July of 2019. V was released in August of 2000 so I’m assuming it was recorded somewhere between then and July 2019 but I don’t know that for sure. It does seem to have a similar epic feel though (probably more just the kind of songs Neal was into writing at the time).

Ok, I stand corrected, I looked up Bridge Across Forever and got that mingled up with the debut :facepalm:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 27, 2021, 10:58:14 AM
The production/mix definitely took a big leap with V in regards to Spock's.  Day for Night was an improvement over the first three, but still a little rough around the edges.  V is when they really nailed it.

I do think Neal co-wrote Waiting for Me, but I'd have look it up to be sure.  Great song for sure.  A Treasure Abandoned and the shorter version of Something Very Strange from the bonus disc are probably my favorites from the Brief Nocturnes sessions, but Waiting for Me is right behind them along with Hiding Out, I Know Your Secret and Down a Burning Road.  How that last one (DaBR) didn't make the proper album is a total mystery.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Great Zo on March 27, 2021, 12:31:08 PM
1) V
2) X
3) Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
4) The Kindness of Strangers
5) Snow
6) Beware of Darkness
7) The Light
8) Spock's Beard
9) Day for Night
10) Octane
11) Noise Floor
12) The Oblivion Particle
13) Feel Euphoria

I have about a million things I could say about this band, especially as they're one of the only bands with a lengthy discography where I know everything they've done really well. But for now I'll just note:
* You could replace the middle portion of V with, I don't know, Pat Metheny's "Zero Tolerance for Silence" or something ... and it'd still rank #1 because the first and last tracks are just that amazing.
* My top 3 is, completely without intent, one album from each era of the band.
* There's a run on Neal albums immediately thereafter.
* I have SB9 higher than most other rankings -- a flawed album that I nonetheless think is one of the band's most interesting.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 27, 2021, 01:37:51 PM
Great:
V
X
Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep

Almost great:
The Light
The Kindness Of Strangers

Still really good:
The Oblivion Particle
Octane
Spock's Beard

Solid:
Beware Of Darkness
Day For Night
Feel Euphoria
Noise Floor

The Rest:
Snow
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on March 27, 2021, 02:00:50 PM
The production/mix definitely took a big leap with V in regards to Spock's.  Day for Night was an improvement over the first three, but still a little rough around the edges.  V is when they really nailed it.

I do think Neal co-wrote Waiting for Me, but I'd have look it up to be sure.  Great song for sure.  A Treasure Abandoned and the shorter version of Something Very Strange from the bonus disc are probably my favorites from the Brief Nocturnes sessions, but Waiting for Me is right behind them along with Hiding Out, I Know Your Secret and Down a Burning Road.  How that last one (DaBR) didn't make the proper album is a total mystery.

IIRC, Neal co-wrote "Afterthoughts" and "Waiting For Me" in a writing session with AL not long before the band began the sessions for BNADS. It's always interesting to see X and BNADS so high on folks' lists since they're the two Post-Neal albums with song-writing credits for Neal. Just seems like even the tiniest bit of Neal's touch just sort of elevates the albums just enough, but honestly, those two albums are amazing through out, regardless of Neal's contributions.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 27, 2021, 02:01:37 PM
The production/mix definitely took a big leap with V in regards to Spock's.  Day for Night was an improvement over the first three, but still a little rough around the edges.  V is when they really nailed it.

I do think Neal co-wrote Waiting for Me, but I'd have look it up to be sure.  Great song for sure.  A Treasure Abandoned and the shorter version of Something Very Strange from the bonus disc are probably my favorites from the Brief Nocturnes sessions, but Waiting for Me is right behind them along with Hiding Out, I Know Your Secret and Down a Burning Road.  How that last one (DaBR) didn't make the proper album is a total mystery.

IIRC, Neal co-wrote "Afterthoughts" and "Waiting For Me" in a writing session with AL not long before the band began the sessions for BNADS. It's always interesting to see X and BNADS so high on folks' lists since they're the two Post-Neal albums with song-writing credits for Neal. Just seems like even the tiniest bit of Neal's touch just sort of elevates the albums just enough, but honestly, those two albums are amazing through out, regardless of Neal's contributions.

-Marc.

I didn’t realize Neal wrote anything for X. Which track(s) was that?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on March 27, 2021, 02:16:40 PM
I think he was involved in writing of The Emperor's clothes. The verses have his signature all over them.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 27, 2021, 02:55:38 PM
I think he was involved in writing of The Emperor's clothes. The verses have his signature all over them.

That’s never been one I’ve liked all that much. Interesting.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 27, 2021, 03:47:44 PM
I like The Emperor's Clothes, but it's one of two songs from X that I never seek out on its own, with Kamikaze being the other.

I still wish they would have released a version of Their Names Escape Me (from the limited edition release) without all of the name call-outs, as that gets pretty repetitive and ends up taking up over half of the song.

I still love X, though, as I consider Jaws of Heaven and From the Darkness to be top 10 Spock's tunes, and I am also a huge fan of The Quite House and The Man Behind the Curtain.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 27, 2021, 03:53:15 PM
I think Their Names Escape Me is fine as it is. While reciting the names there's a nice musical build up underneath.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Great Zo on March 27, 2021, 04:00:43 PM
I still wish they would have released a version of Their Names Escape Me (from the limited edition release) without all of the name call-outs, as that gets pretty repetitive and ends up taking up over half of the song.

Here it is, courtesy of John Boegehold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWzBykPK51k
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 27, 2021, 07:16:08 PM
Ya know, I think I remember seeing that at some point, but forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder!  :tup :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on March 27, 2021, 07:21:43 PM
I think he was involved in writing of The Emperor's clothes. The verses have his signature all over them.

Yes, since he left he's been involved in the writing for The Emperor's Clothes, Afterthoughts, Waiting for Me and Falling for Forever :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on March 27, 2021, 08:53:27 PM
The Venus slowly rises in the night
The people softly lit by restless moonlight
And as the Jackal preys upon the Netherworld
You can hear as she surprises and sings... RISE!


*drum solo*

Harm’s Way and the whole Kindness of Strangers album has to be some of Neal’s finest songwriting.
Agreed. I've been appreciating that section you quoted for 20 years now, and it hasn't gotten old. Top tier Neal.

Sure is....
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on March 27, 2021, 08:56:01 PM
Snow just has too much bloat for me to rate it higher...it'd rank dead last in my ranking (and I find Wind At My Back to be one of his blandest endings). It's also where Neal's old quirky style seemed to die out and be replaced by the more typical prog sound he has now. There's a lot to like on it though, I just wish it had been edited a bit more (along with Testimony).

My full ranking was:

V is a hard one to judge sometimes. It has a borderline top 5 tune and everything else is pretty darn good, but there is something about the album that prevents it from a top tier one, and I still have a hard time defining what that is.  The songwriting is still strong enough to put at 06, but there is something odd about the overall vibe as a whole that prevents me at this point from calling a top tier Spock's record.

V is my all-time favorite SB album but I actually kind of agree about the oddness of the vibe. I feel like it's missing a song or something (I have the same opinion about The Light, Permanent Waves, and Hemispheres). But the strength of each other track just pushes it over the edge. Revelations has to be the absolute most overlooked SB track in existence.

My ranking:

1. V
2. Day For Night
3. Feel Euphoria
4. Beware Of Darkness
5. The Kindness of Strangers
6. The Oblivion Particle
7. Noise Floor
8. X
9. The Light
10. Octane
11. Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep (agreed about the bonus tracks...they exceed a good portion of the regular tracks imo)
12. Spock's Beard
13. Snow

I'm with you. Snow is by far my least favorite of the bunch.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Qrusher14242 on March 27, 2021, 10:29:16 PM
1. Snow
2. V
3. X
4. The Kindness of Strangers
5. The Light
6. Octane
7. Spock's Beard
8. Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
9. Day for Night
10. Oblivion Particle
11. Feel Euphoria
12. Noise Floor (but i haven't given this enough spins, i didnt care for it after a couple though)

Snow got me in Spock's Beard. I had heard The Light before but it didnt grab me at the time. Snow was just the right album at the right for me i think. It has so many of my favorite Beard songs: Stranger in a Strange Land, Long Time Suffering, Solitary Soul, Wind at My Back, Open Wide the Flood Gates.

X is a big favorite as well, i got to see them in Downey play the album and it was so good. From the Darkness/The Quiet House are just top tier songs for me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on March 28, 2021, 05:29:50 AM
I can't do a full ranking. I have to go by era.

Neal era:
1. Beware of Darkness
2. V
3. Snow
4. Kindness of Strangers
5. The Light
6. Day for Night

Nick era:
1. X
2. Feel Euphoria
3. Spock's Beard
4. Octane

Ted era:
1. Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep
2. The Oblivion Particle
3. Noise Floor
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on March 28, 2021, 06:48:02 AM
I, too, have a difficult time ranking the albums in one big bunch.  Each era of the band is so different that they really sound quite different, more so when comparing Neal's Beard to the other two.  Obviously that has a lot to do with songwriting.  While I definitely appreciate all versions of the band and have even had the good fortune of forging friendships with and collaborating with Ryo and Jimmy, nothing will ever touch those first 6 albums with Neal.  That version of the band was, to me, very special and rare.  Because of that I think it's a little unfair to rank them all together because the Neal albums will always outshine the others, IMHO.

Neal's Beard:
1. The Light
2. Snow
3. V
4. Kindness of Strangers
5. Beware of Darkness
6. Day for Night

Nick's Beard:
1. X
2. Octane
3. Feel Euphoria
4. Spock's Beard

Ted's Beard:
1. Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep
2. The Oblivion Particle
3. Noise Floor

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on March 28, 2021, 10:58:40 AM
Count me in the group of those who love V, X and BNADS. Those are my favorite SB albums, one for each era.

I need to dive more into the rest of the catalog, as I've focused mostly on different songs I like, rather than full albums. Hopefully I can do a dedicated SB catalog run soon.

As for Snow, I think it's a bit too long and sometimes it feels like it and Testimony 1 are basically the same album. Don't know if someone has ever said that before and I hope it's not something bad to say, they just feel way too similar as back to back Neal releases. I still enjoy both, tho.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 28, 2021, 04:04:16 PM
I don't see Snow and Testimony being that similar at all.  Okay, they are both double albums with strong spiritual messages in the lyrics, but that is about it.  Snow is much more of a rock record while still featuring a lot of piano and acoustic guitar and sounds very bright and colorful, while Testimony relies a lot on strings and sounds very dry and more orchestrated, if that makes sense.  To me, Snow is one of the best sounding albums Neal has ever done from a mixing standpoint, while Testimony is one of his few prog albums since 2000 (when his overall sound got a massive upgrade with SMPTe and V) that I wish sounded a little better (along with Sola Scriptura and The Exorcist).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 28, 2021, 04:13:30 PM
I don't see Snow and Testimony being that similar at all.  Okay, they are both double albums with strong spiritual messages in the lyrics, but that is about it.  Snow is much more of a rock record while still featuring a lot of piano and acoustic guitar and sounds very bright and colorful, while Testimony relies a lot on strings and sounds very dry and more orchestrated, if that makes sense.  To me, Snow is one of the best sounding albums Neal has ever done from a mixing standpoint, while Testimony is one of his few prog albums since 2000 (when his overall sound got a massive upgrade with SMPTe and V) that I wish sounded a little better (along with Sola Scriptura and The Exorcist).

Yeah, I see some broader thematic similarities in terms of Neal’s faith, but stylistically I don’t see them as all that similar. Snow has always felt very organic sounding to me, more like a 70s/analog type of recording and production than some of the other Spock’s Beard and solo Neal Morse albums.

Edit: Snow and Testimony do start similarly with a quiet acoustic intro followed by an overture I suppose. I’d also agree that Snow was Neal’s first foray into conceptual writing, and there is some similarities with Testimony in the songwriting in that regard.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 28, 2021, 04:53:01 PM
Haven’t watched these yet, but these were just posted on the band’s Facebook account.

To Breath Another Day, live in Stockholm 2018:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=abaeiTUy-28

One So Wise, live in Stockholm 2018:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2A30RTcJPOKgOHQg0IgHHa-eZofMk_aLr5ICYQfRGvfjDDPR_MseMfz10&v=z8qrASLpQAw&feature=youtu.be

Any activity from the SB camp is nice to see.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on March 29, 2021, 06:46:09 AM
Count me in the group of those who love V, X and BNADS. Those are my favorite SB albums, one for each era.

I need to dive more into the rest of the catalog, as I've focused mostly on different songs I like, rather than full albums. Hopefully I can do a dedicated SB catalog run soon.

As for Snow, I think it's a bit too long and sometimes it feels like it and Testimony 1 are basically the same album. Don't know if someone has ever said that before and I hope it's not something bad to say, they just feel way too similar as back to back Neal releases. I still enjoy both, tho.


I love Neal Morse and everything he puts out other than his praise and worship stuff is an instant buy for me, no questions asked.  But with that said, it's pretty obvious to me that he's been making pretty much the same album over and over since Snow.  (<--that's hyperbole for those who are hyperbole-challenged  ;) )


There are certainly differences between the albums, but generally speaking they're all pretty much about the same topic and they are all filled with his signature bag of suspended 4th opportunities sprinkled across an hour or two of melodic retro-prog with Christian messaging.  Not that there is anything wrong with that at all.  I tend to prefer that artists write about topics they are passionate about because I believe that produces the best end product and Neal rarely disappoints with the only exception being that a lot of his music sounds a lot like other music he's already released.


I firmly believe that most artists have a limited musical vocabulary and a guy as prolific as Neal is bound to start repeating himself, especially when he makes 2,345,128 albums in a row on pretty much the same lyrical topic. (<---yep, that's more hyperbole  :) )



Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 29, 2021, 08:17:30 AM
Count me in the group of those who love V, X and BNADS. Those are my favorite SB albums, one for each era.

I need to dive more into the rest of the catalog, as I've focused mostly on different songs I like, rather than full albums. Hopefully I can do a dedicated SB catalog run soon.

As for Snow, I think it's a bit too long and sometimes it feels like it and Testimony 1 are basically the same album. Don't know if someone has ever said that before and I hope it's not something bad to say, they just feel way too similar as back to back Neal releases. I still enjoy both, tho.


I love Neal Morse and everything he puts out other than his praise and worship stuff is an instant buy for me, no questions asked.  But with that said, it's pretty obvious to me that he's been making pretty much the same album over and over since Snow.  (<--that's hyperbole for those who are hyperbole-challenged  ;) )


There are certainly differences between the albums, but generally speaking they're all pretty much about the same topic and they are all filled with his signature bag of suspended 4th opportunities sprinkled across an hour or two of melodic retro-prog with Christian messaging.  Not that there is anything wrong with that at all.  I tend to prefer that artists write about topics they are passionate about because I believe that produces the best end product and Neal rarely disappoints with the only exception being that a lot of his music sounds a lot like other music he's already released.


I firmly believe that most artists have a limited musical vocabulary and a guy as prolific as Neal is bound to start repeating himself, especially when he makes 2,345,128 albums in a row on pretty much the same lyrical topic. (<---yep, that's more hyperbole  :) )

I do agree with this broadly. I kind of stopped following Neal’s solo career after One (have picked a few things up since but not really changed my opinion). I think his albums are still somewhat shaped by the band he has around him. Snow is different from Testimony in part because of the players involved, and just like Transatlantic is different from SB or Neal’s solo stuff. But in terms of his writing, Snow was really the first (and best IMO) of many similar albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Nekov on March 29, 2021, 11:42:00 AM
The disrespect for Day for Night in this thread hurts me. I think it is my favorite SB album. The Healing Colors of Sound suite is easily their best composition: it has tons of variation, it flows wonderfully well and it's just fun to listen to.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 29, 2021, 12:08:46 PM
The disrespect for Day for Night in this thread hurts me. I think it is my favorite SB album. The Healing Colors of Sound suite is easily their best composition: it has tons of variation, it flows wonderfully well and it's just fun to listen to.

I love Day for Night, and especially The Healing Colors of Sound. The only two tracks that hold the album back a little for me are The Gypsy and to a lesser extent Gibberish (It’s ok but I find I’m not a huge fan of the trademark SB interplaying harmony tracks in general).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on March 29, 2021, 02:30:12 PM
Count me in the group of those who love V, X and BNADS. Those are my favorite SB albums, one for each era.

I need to dive more into the rest of the catalog, as I've focused mostly on different songs I like, rather than full albums. Hopefully I can do a dedicated SB catalog run soon.

As for Snow, I think it's a bit too long and sometimes it feels like it and Testimony 1 are basically the same album. Don't know if someone has ever said that before and I hope it's not something bad to say, they just feel way too similar as back to back Neal releases. I still enjoy both, tho.


I love Neal Morse and everything he puts out other than his praise and worship stuff is an instant buy for me, no questions asked.  But with that said, it's pretty obvious to me that he's been making pretty much the same album over and over since Snow.  (<--that's hyperbole for those who are hyperbole-challenged  ;) )


There are certainly differences between the albums, but generally speaking they're all pretty much about the same topic and they are all filled with his signature bag of suspended 4th opportunities sprinkled across an hour or two of melodic retro-prog with Christian messaging.  Not that there is anything wrong with that at all.  I tend to prefer that artists write about topics they are passionate about because I believe that produces the best end product and Neal rarely disappoints with the only exception being that a lot of his music sounds a lot like other music he's already released.


I firmly believe that most artists have a limited musical vocabulary and a guy as prolific as Neal is bound to start repeating himself, especially when he makes 2,345,128 albums in a row on pretty much the same lyrical topic. (<---yep, that's more hyperbole  :) )

I do agree with this broadly. I kind of stopped following Neal’s solo career after One (have picked a few things up since but not really changed my opinion). I think his albums are still somewhat shaped by the band he has around him. Snow is different from Testimony in part because of the players involved, and just like Transatlantic is different from SB or Neal’s solo stuff. But in terms of his writing, Snow was really the first (and best IMO) of many similar albums.

Totally agree.
In fact, since there is The Neal Morse Band with fixed members, I would find it interesting that Neal made his solo albums (like Sola Gratia) with other musicians. Without Randy, without Mike.

The problem is that he has already tried to do something different with other musicians (JCTE) and the result was not the best.  :lol

Although I really like albums from Neal's solo career (like Testimony, One, ?, etc.) I still think that SB and Transatlantic are the best of the Morserian universe.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on March 29, 2021, 04:13:27 PM
To me, due to Portnoy's involvement on most of his main albums and the nature of his music, Neal's discography post-Spock's, and with Transatlantic, is an extension of the Dream Theater world to me, like LTE, JP's albums, and some of the other member's work outside DT. A new Neal Morse album is the closest thing to a new MP-era DT album, as far as it being proggy and having those familiar rhythms. I've said that Neal's albums should really be Spock's Theater. I actually haven't gotten around to JCTE yet, but I think that one was something more of an experiment, so not necessarily something Neal would do if he were to keep putting out prog albums without MP and Randy. With Neal's main prog albums, I think it's a matter of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Neal has said before that Portnoy just understands what needs to happen in his music. MP has praised Neal Morse on multiple occasions, even saying he is one of the best songwriters and rock composers of all time, up there with Lennon, McCartney, Wilson, Simon, etc.. Randy sometimes sounds too good with Portnoy, such a tight rhythm section. I'd rather get consistent material than not. If I want diversity of lineups I'll listen to The Flower Kings. Neal just needs to mix things up a little more and not rely on his bag of tricks. I think he's been doing that to some extent on his more recent albums, but looking back on Spock's albums those were really diverse in sound and style. I think that's the idea behind The Neal Morse band, as those albums do stick out a little more than his last 2-3 solo prog albums. The new Transatlantic album is the same way, though his 'edit' is more like a typical Neal solo album. The extended is the full album, and everything works really well in both but the extended version is where we hear different things going on all around.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 29, 2021, 07:16:25 PM
The disrespect for Day for Night in this thread hurts me. I think it is my favorite SB album. The Healing Colors of Sound suite is easily their best composition: it has tons of variation, it flows wonderfully well and it's just fun to listen to.

Who has disrespected Day for Night?  ??? ???


In fact, since there is The Neal Morse Band with fixed members, I would find it interesting that Neal made his solo albums (like Sola Gratia) with other musicians. Without Randy, without Mike.

The problem is that he has already tried to do something different with other musicians (JCTE) and the result was not the best.  :lol

The worry for me is that if Neal tried to get other people to play with him on his solo albums, he would opt for religious folks who he wants to play with, rather than getting great players, and the music would end up not as good as a result (seemed like some of the players he had for the live shows in his early solo days post-Spock's ran along those lines), so I'd rather he just keep working with Randy George and Mike Portnoy on his prog solo albums, as that will ensure high quality when it comes to musicianship.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on March 29, 2021, 08:33:39 PM

The worry for me is that if Neal tried to get other people to play with him on his solo albums, he would opt for religious folks who he wants to play with, rather than getting great players, and the music would end up not as good as a result (seemed like some of the players he had for the live shows in his early solo days post-Spock's ran along those lines), so I'd rather he just keep working with Randy George and Mike Portnoy on his prog solo albums, as that will ensure high quality when it comes to musicianship.

Well, but even Randy George is a religious guy. Only MP did not reach NM with this feedback.
It cannot be said that he cannot find great musicians to work for, even among fellow religionists. Furthermore, I consider that he has worked with great not so well known musicians: Eric Brenton is a great multi-instrumentalist; Paul Bielatowicz (who plays with Carl Palmer) has already done great solos for Neal records; Adson Sodré is an incredible guitarist, in addition to being also religious (remembering that in the first version of what came to be TNB he was the main guitarist, not Eric); etc.
Eric Gillette and Bill Hubauer were virtually unknown until they started playing with Neal. That is, it is totally possible to find great musicians.

And let's be honest, Randy George is a great musician, great bass player but the "big problem" would be not having Mike Portnoy. Mike has a legion of followers outside of the Neal Morse universe, and you can't say that about Randy. I understand that, but they collaborate a lot. They would continue to collaborate: FC, Transatlantic, TNB. How many Morse/Portnoy records do we need per year?

And about "high quality", this is exactly what is missing. Not from the musicians involved, but the final product. I think it would be interesting to eventually have a prog album by Neal with other musicians. And the Morse/Portnoy partnership would continue on the other 25 bands that they are together with.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on March 29, 2021, 08:47:24 PM
The business factor surely plays a role. Any non-Portnoy NM album will be less popular, Neal has said as much, that's without mentioning his lyrical themes.
but man, not even Yes or Genesis put out such consistent high quality material in their heyday, they each had, what, 4 all time great albums, Neal has at least triple that, and then some in his main catalog (SB, TA, NM, TNMB) Lineup changes alter the music, sometimes for better, but often for worse.

I would love to see Neal do another Spock's Beard album, not officially rejoin or anything, but play a major role in the writing, playing, and collaboration. It can be a one and done thing or not, but I think that would add more variety to Neal's canon, as SB has changed over the years. If they can do one long track together on a compilation album, surely they could do an entire album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: 425 on March 29, 2021, 09:32:55 PM
I'd rather get consistent material than not. If I want diversity of lineups I'll listen to The Flower Kings. Neal just needs to mix things up a little more and not rely on his bag of tricks. I think he's been doing that to some extent on his more recent albums, but looking back on Spock's albums those were really diverse in sound and style. I think that's the idea behind The Neal Morse band, as those albums do stick out a little more than his last 2-3 solo prog albums.

I definitely agree with everything you said, but especially this part. I'm optimistic that NMB4 will stick out quite a bit relatively speaking, since, if I recall correctly, they wrote most of it together rather than Neal coming to the table with a bunch of demos. I think there's a good chance it will stand out at least to the extent that The Grand Experiment stands out. I'd say TGE really stands apart from Neal's other work in style—and also low-key has two of the best songs he's ever worked on in The Call and Alive Again.

TSOAD and TGA do stick out to a certain degree themselves, and they're both superb albums, but I think just by nature of being double concept albums they fall a little more into familiar Neal Morse territory. As a by-product of their success, too, I think they've unfortunately somewhat overshadowed TGE.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on March 29, 2021, 10:11:49 PM
The business factor surely plays a role. Any non-Portnoy NM album will be less popular, Neal has said as much, that's without mentioning his lyrical themes.
but man, not even Yes or Genesis put out such consistent high quality material in their heyday, they each had, what, 4 all time great albums, Neal has at least triple that, and then some in his main catalog (SB, TA, NM, TNMB) Lineup changes alter the music, sometimes for better, but often for worse.

I would love to see Neal do another Spock's Beard album, not officially rejoin or anything, but play a major role in the writing, playing, and collaboration. It can be a one and done thing or not, but I think that would add more variety to Neal's canon, as SB has changed over the years. If they can do one long track together on a compilation album, surely they could do an entire album.

This is a point that cannot be ignored.

My comments were only in the sense of something that I would find interesting to check it out. It is understandable that things continue on their current course (and that fans want it), but not for me. I have no further interest.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 30, 2021, 06:31:01 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Nekov on March 30, 2021, 06:43:21 AM
The disrespect for Day for Night in this thread hurts me. I think it is my favorite SB album. The Healing Colors of Sound suite is easily their best composition: it has tons of variation, it flows wonderfully well and it's just fun to listen to.
Who has disrespected Day for Night?  ??? ???

I was just being a bit hyperbolic based on the fact that a lot of people ranked it pretty low.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on March 30, 2021, 07:03:21 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on March 30, 2021, 07:15:57 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D

Well, let’s just hope it’s a new album and not a farewell tour!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on March 30, 2021, 07:22:12 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D

Falling For Forever lineup for the next album?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on March 30, 2021, 10:04:15 AM
The worry for me is that if Neal tried to get other people to play with him on his solo albums, he would opt for religious folks who he wants to play with, rather than getting great players, and the music would end up not as good as a result (seemed like some of the players he had for the live shows in his early solo days post-Spock's ran along those lines), so I'd rather he just keep working with Randy George and Mike Portnoy on his prog solo albums, as that will ensure high quality when it comes to musicianship.

On his records he got a lot of great musicians as guests over the years. Jordan Rudess, Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, Steve Hackett and more.

And I always had the impression that his touring band in Europe back then had nothing to do with religious beliefs but with availability and money. MP back then was still in DT and he may not have been available. And to fly him and other american musicians over would have been more expensive than hiring relatively unknown european musicians. And MP and others would probably get a bigger salary.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on March 30, 2021, 07:45:31 PM

I was just being a bit hyperbolic based on the fact that a lot of people ranked it pretty low.  :smiley:

Haha, all good!  It's always a good indicator that a band is really great when they have this many albums and I can rank one as strong as Day for Night so low.  :hat :hat

On his records he got a lot of great musicians as guests over the years. Jordan Rudess, Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, Steve Hackett and more.

And I always had the impression that his touring band in Europe back then had nothing to do with religious beliefs but with availability and money. MP back then was still in DT and he may not have been available. And to fly him and other american musicians over would have been more expensive than hiring relatively unknown european musicians. And MP and others would probably get a bigger salary.

Fair points.  :tup :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on March 31, 2021, 12:37:26 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D

Ah, this has got me all twitchy. Would love more Neal Beard work soooo much!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on March 31, 2021, 12:01:54 PM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D

Ah, this has got me all twitchy. Would love more Neal Beard work soooo much!

Neal era SB + Ted would be the perfect lineup imo.

(not saying that it will happen, but we can dream :lol)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on April 01, 2021, 07:13:50 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D

Ah, this has got me all twitchy. Would love more Neal Beard work soooo much!

Neal era SB + Ted would be the perfect lineup imo.

(not saying that it will happen, but we can dream :lol )


Ted would play the role of NDV (minus the drums, of course).  Vocally, Ted is capable of reaching those high falsetto notes that NDV used to sing and I think you are absolutely correct that it would be a perfect lineup.  I have learned to never say "never."
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 01, 2021, 08:07:37 AM
More indication that Spock’s Beard isn’t done. They’ve been announced as headliners for this festival in March 2022:

https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up (https://www.loudersound.com/news/spocks-beard-airbag-and-jump-complete-hrh-xii-line-up)


I can't divulge any details here because I gave my word that I wouldn't.  But don't be surprised if there is an additional announcement about Spock's Beard in the months leading up to this performance.  ;D

Ah, this has got me all twitchy. Would love more Neal Beard work soooo much!

Neal era SB + Ted would be the perfect lineup imo.

(not saying that it will happen, but we can dream :lol )


Ted would play the role of NDV (minus the drums, of course).  Vocally, Ted is capable of reaching those high falsetto notes that NDV used to sing and I think you are absolutely correct that it would be a perfect lineup.  I have learned to never say "never."

Watching Neal’s latest podcast episode with Dave Meros as I type. Cool to hear them reminiscing (Al was also on recently). Definitely wouldn’t say never about Neal doing something with Spock’s Beard again at some point, but we’ll see.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on April 01, 2021, 09:25:16 AM
FFF is the only evidence I need to see that it is totally possible, especially in these covid times. The results would most likely be excellent.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: goo-goo on April 01, 2021, 09:44:34 AM
I really hope Neal does not work with SB. I actually love SB post-Neal. The songs are more cohesive and stronger, melodies are also good. I just feel that Neal would bring recycled themes and material from his solo work, which is also getting a bit repetitive. Unfortunately, Neal lost me with the last two releases (Great Adventure and Similitude). The song they released together as part of the SB compilation was ok.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 01, 2021, 09:48:46 AM
I really hope Neal does not work with SB. I actually love SB post-Neal. The songs are more cohesive and stronger, melodies are also good. I just feel that Neal would bring recycled themes and material from his solo work, which is also getting a bit repetitive. Unfortunately, Neal lost me with the last two releases (Great Adventure and Similitude). The song they released together as part of the SB compilation was ok.

I’m probably more interested in Nick coming back as a full time member and contributing more than drums, but I think if Neal were in a role more like in Flying Colors than as band leader it would be fun.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 01, 2021, 10:36:23 AM
Watching Neal’s latest podcast episode with Dave Meros as I type. Cool to hear them reminiscing (Al was also on recently). Definitely wouldn’t say never about Neal doing something with Spock’s Beard again at some point, but we’ll see.

Man, this was really fun. Some great stories, a lot of talk about the formation of Spock’s Beard, the recording of different songs, favorite SB albums, they even get into Neal’s leaving the band and get emotional about everything they’ve been through together and the privilege of being able to make music for a living. Worth a listen for sure.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A3hOrlvo9hs
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 02, 2021, 11:16:14 AM
I saw your comment after I posted about this on Neal's thread. What a great watch.  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 02, 2021, 01:24:31 PM
I wonder which SB member Neal will invite next for his podcast? Nick seems like a good pick to me!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 02, 2021, 01:29:00 PM
I agree Nick would be an awesome choice. I do not think Ryo is that talkative of a guy.

However, at some point he could also do one with Ted. Not because Ted is currently in Spock's Beard, but because he has been a part of Neal's projects for years. They've also done a Transatlantic interview together. That would be a fun episode.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 02, 2021, 03:23:55 PM
I saw your comment after I posted about this on Neal's thread. What a great watch.  :tup

Definitely! :tup :tup

I agree Nick would be an awesome choice. I do not think Ryo is that talkative of a guy.

However, at some point he could also do one with Ted. Not because Ted is currently in Spock's Beard, but because he has been a part of Neal's projects for years. They've also done a Transatlantic interview together. That would be a fun episode.

Either Nick or Ted would be fun. You could tell from the Neal and Ted Transatlantic interview that they could have spent plenty of time just chatting about stuff. Would be cool to hear some stories from back when SB and Enchant would tour together.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 02, 2021, 03:26:03 PM
I'll have to listen to that later.  I'd like to hear Neal and Roine Stolt do one of those together.  As two of the giants of the last 25 years of progressive rock, could make for an interesting conversation considering their different approaches and styles.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: frogprog on April 03, 2021, 07:49:59 AM
I loved the chat with Dave Meros. What a fantastic bass player and nice guy. Their talk of the earlier years brought back fond memories of seeing SB on the V tour at a tiny place in philly, the North Star. I got to meet and chat with the fellows and they were all really cool.I was also fortunate enough to chat with Dave and Jimmy on the night before PNAS. I only spent a few minutes with Dave but was invited to sit at their table by Dave's lovely wife, Rose who was such a sweetheart and welcomed me, nobody, into their group an introduced me to everyone like I was a long list friend. She chatted with me for well over an hour and insisted I share this appetizers! Good times! Liked said, a really lovely lady, I hope they are doing well. :smiley:
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 03, 2021, 10:37:21 AM
Awesome story, frogprog.  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on April 03, 2021, 12:02:10 PM
Could a Neal Morse / Spock's Beard reunion be possible with the band's 30th anniversary coming up?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: frogprog on April 03, 2021, 06:09:19 PM
Thanks, Maiden. Sorry for the weird auto corrects.
I listened to all the Neal era albums today whilst doing a paver walkway and thoroughly enjoyed them! It's been a while.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 03, 2021, 07:42:30 PM
Could a Neal Morse / Spock's Beard reunion be possible with the band's 30th anniversary coming up?

Well, that is still four years away, but ya never know. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on April 03, 2021, 08:00:47 PM
Could a Neal Morse / Spock's Beard reunion be possible with the band's 30th anniversary coming up?

Well, that is still four years away, but ya never know.

Wasn't SB formed in 1992?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 03, 2021, 08:01:59 PM


Wasn't SB formed in 1992?

Not sure, but it's silliness to celebrate anniversaries of when the band was formed.  Most bands do anniversaries from the year of their first album, just like most married couples celebrate the anniversary of the day they got married, not the day they started dating.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 04, 2021, 01:13:20 AM


Wasn't SB formed in 1992?

Not sure, but it's silliness to celebrate anniversaries of when the band was formed.  Most bands do anniversaries from the year of their first album, just like most married couples celebrate the anniversary of the day they got married, not the day they started dating.

Unless you're Dream Theater, who celebrates 1985 as their start, not 1989 (unless your JLB, who I believe once said the band started then in reference to how long they've been around/when they were celebrating a certain anniversary).

Either way, I do agree it is generally accepted that band's should celebrate anniversaries based on the release year of their debut, which would be January of 1995 in Spock's Beard's case.

Any sort of SB30 celebration is still 4 years off, but Beware Of Darkness turned 25 a couple of months ago, and SB9 will turn 15 in November.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: RoeDent on April 04, 2021, 06:38:46 AM
I agree. As far as us, the public, are concerned, a band debuts when they release their first album and become relevant on a public level, outside of their own inner circle.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on April 04, 2021, 08:04:59 AM


Wasn't SB formed in 1992?

Not sure, but it's silliness to celebrate anniversaries of when the band was formed.  Most bands do anniversaries from the year of their first album, just like most married couples celebrate the anniversary of the day they got married, not the day they started dating.

SB was formed by Neal and Alan Morse in 1992.

Many, if not all, long term bands celebrate the anniversary of their formation. Bands are like companies, they don't celebrate the first year they made profits, they celebrate their beginning, their existence; and the fact that they became successful eventually to be able to have anniversaries celebrations.

If it takes becoming relevant on a public level outside of an inner circle, then Spock's Beard are still at year 0.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on April 04, 2021, 08:50:43 AM


Wasn't SB formed in 1992?

Not sure, but it's silliness to celebrate anniversaries of when the band was formed.  Most bands do anniversaries from the year of their first album, just like most married couples celebrate the anniversary of the day they got married, not the day they started dating.

SB was formed by Neal and Alan Morse in 1992.

Many, if not all, long term bands celebrate the anniversary of their formation. Bands are like companies, they don't celebrate the first year they made profits, they celebrate their beginning, their existence; and the fact that they became successful eventually to be able to have anniversaries celebrations.

If it takes becoming relevant on a public level outside of an inner circle, then Spock's Beard are still at year 0.

This is the way I see it too. Some bands gig for years before being able to release their debut album, so those years don't count at all? Makes no sense.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 04, 2021, 09:04:34 AM

SB was formed by Neal and Alan Morse in 1992.

Many, if not all, long term bands celebrate the anniversary of their formation. Bands are like companies, they don't celebrate the first year they made profits, they celebrate their beginning, their existence; and the fact that they became successful eventually to be able to have anniversaries celebrations.

If it takes becoming relevant on a public level outside of an inner circle, then Spock's Beard are still at year 0.

Eh, Rush, who was initially formed in the late 60's, did two anniversary tours, the first of which was the 30th in 2004 (their first album was 1974), and the second of which was the 40th in 2015 (40 years since the first album with Neil).

I think, in most cases, bands who did it the way DT did like to jump the gun and do anniversary shows as early as possible as it helps sell concert tickets, so it is probably more a business decision than anything.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on April 04, 2021, 09:13:24 AM

SB was formed by Neal and Alan Morse in 1992.

Many, if not all, long term bands celebrate the anniversary of their formation. Bands are like companies, they don't celebrate the first year they made profits, they celebrate their beginning, their existence; and the fact that they became successful eventually to be able to have anniversaries celebrations.

If it takes becoming relevant on a public level outside of an inner circle, then Spock's Beard are still at year 0.

Eh, Rush, who was initially formed in the late 60's, did two anniversary tours, the first of which was the 30th in 2004 (their first album was 1974), and the second of which was the 40th in 2015 (40 years since the first album with Neil).

I think, in most cases, bands who did it the way DT did like to jump the gun and do anniversary shows as early as possible as it helps sell concert tickets, so it is probably more a business decision than anything.

You're probably right about the business side of celebrating anniversaries, but look at Iron Maiden or Grateful Dead, they celebrated their 45th and 50th anniversaries, on the anniversaries of their original formation (with a T shirt, and a short tour, respectively). Phish celebrated their 30th in 2013, though their first album didn't come out for years after they formed, and it was almost 10 years before their major label debut. Metallica celebrated in 2011, even though their first album came out 2 years after they formed, and to some, they were just an underground band until 1989 or 1991. Frank Zappa celebrated the Mothers of Invention 10 year anniversary in 1974, even though their first album didn't come out until 1966. I think Rush chose to honor their first two albums rather than their formation of a band as a whole, since 1/3 of the band wasn't there during those early years, being a trio and all. A little different for the other bands who had many more members found, stick around, and/or leave and/or come back.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 04, 2021, 11:57:49 AM
I don't think SB has *ever* celebrated an anniversary with a tour. The closest thing they've done is release The First Twenty Years, releasing in 2015, which says to me that they celebrate their debut rather than their formation. Granted, the compilation album was titled as such because it focused on their first 20 years of released music, but IIRC, I think Neal had written much of The Light (the album) in the years preceding its release, so that material (and perhaps material in later albums) had been around in Neal's demos for years before SB's debut.

But I agree with Kev, I think when bands celebrate their formation rather than their debut, it's probably a marketing decision to get tickets out for an anniversary tour, especially if the band was around for years before their debut. It makes getting out there as a special tour come around a lot sooner.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on April 04, 2021, 05:09:54 PM
I just see Neal reuniting with SB on an entire new album released 30 years after he and his brother formed the band, as a good excuse to do so. It's not like these guys formed the band when they were in their teens or 20s.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on April 06, 2021, 12:37:14 PM
Never say "never"  :corn
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DoctorAction on April 06, 2021, 01:42:21 PM
Please please please please please
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on April 06, 2021, 02:17:05 PM
Even if Nick isn't able to do it due to other commitments and they use Mike Thorne or get Jimmy back, an SB reunion with Neal would be all kinds of amazing. Just don't get rid of Ted.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 06, 2021, 02:53:42 PM
I thought that the Snow reunion concert was supposed to scratch that itch for us. However, I guess people are still waiting for a real reunion.  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: kirksnosehair on April 06, 2021, 02:54:46 PM
As prolific as Neal Morse is, I'll bet he can bring an entire album's worth of demos into a recording session tomorrow  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 06, 2021, 03:10:50 PM
Even if Nick isn't able to do it due to other commitments and they use Mike Thorne or get Jimmy back, an SB reunion with Neal would be all kinds of amazing. Just don't get rid of Ted.

Not that a Neal return wouldn't be great, because it would, but it would feel a bit hollow without Nick.  Not that I wouldn't be all over it either way, just thinking/typing out loud. ;)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 06, 2021, 03:21:12 PM
Even if Nick isn't able to do it due to other commitments and they use Mike Thorne or get Jimmy back, an SB reunion with Neal would be all kinds of amazing. Just don't get rid of Ted.

Not that a Neal return wouldn't be great, because it would, but it would feel a bit hollow without Nick.  Not that I wouldn't be all over it either way, just thinking/typing out loud. ;)

Just judging by Nick's social media activity over the last year, I'd be shocked if a Spock's Beard reunion happened without him. He still seems to have a lot of enthusiasm for the band and their music. Yeah, he has other commitments, but I don't see a reunion album or even a tour being that big of a commitment, especially if Neal or the others are the main writers, Ted is the main vocalist, and he's mostly just doing the drums and contributing the odd vocal. It's not like the band is going to do a huge long tour. Maybe a handful of shows in the US and another in Europe.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on April 06, 2021, 07:08:03 PM
I think covid times have created a unique situation where a new album can have Neal and Nick participating full time, since no one is touring. I mean, Neal's newest album was made while Portnoy and George were at home, not sure why Nick couldn't also get involved in new SB.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 08, 2021, 08:28:36 AM
So I picked up a physical copy of Spock's Beard (self-titled/9) for the first time a few weeks ago. I was already somewhat familiar with it from having streamed it, but never was able to track one down since it's been out of print for a while.

Anyway, I've got a new appreciation for this one now. I think it might be my second favorite of the Nick era behind Feel Euphoria even. The production is stellar (Nick's drum sound is outstanding), and while there are a couple songs I could totally do without (Is This Love? and Wherever You Stand) there are some really great moments on this one. An a Perfect Day isn't a favorite, but it's a decent SB track. Skeleton's at the Feast is one I never liked before, but the middle section and ending are really great. I even really like Sometimes They Stay, Sometimes They Go now (Al's voice doesn't bother me. I kind of dig it). Hereafter is a nice piano ballad that shows off both Nick and Ryo's talents.

But the big highlights for me are All That's Left, With Your Kiss*, The Slow Crash Landing Man, As Far As The Mind Can See, and Rearranged. Al is absolutely on fire throughout this album, but he has some really great solos on these tracks, especially All That's Left and With Your Kiss. The asterisk on With Your Kiss is because I really hate that the song has a second section after the guitar solo and doesn't come back to that groove in the opening section at all. They could have ended it there and it would have been a wonderful pop song, instead it's an ok prop epic (the second section is pretty cool, but the ending doesn't live up to the beginning section). The Slow Crash Landing Man is another great Nick vocal moment, and I love the synth and guitar solos. Rearranged is a fun rocker to close.

The real star of this album is As Far As The Mind Can See. This might be my favorite post-Neal SB epic and honestly might be up there with songs like At The End of the Day and The Great Nothing. There's a bit of a kitchen sink approach to it, but I love all of it. Nick's drum performance is amazing. When the song slows down and you get that kind of Bonham type groove to kick off They Know We Know - that's the stuff. Just a delightful track.

This album definitely could have been a couple tracks shorter and been better. I could even see leaving off Sometimes They Stay or Skeletons at the Feast. But I do think it's a really good effort all around.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on May 08, 2021, 02:07:22 PM
I agree with you about the mix, which has consistently been pretty great with Spock's since V, but I have no beef with On a Perfect Day, Skeletons at the Feast or With Your Kiss, all of which are major keepers. I have little to no use for the rest of the album.  It's not awful or anything, but it all just seems kind of there.  The performances are great, of course, but the songs just aren't memorable at all, IMO.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 08, 2021, 02:20:34 PM
I agree with you about the mix, which has consistently been pretty great with Spock's since V, but I have no beef with On a Perfect Day, Skeletons at the Feast or With Your Kiss, all of which are major keepers. I have little to no use for the rest of the album.  It's not awful or anything, but it all just seems kind of there.  The performances are great, of course, but the songs just aren't memorable at all, IMO.

There’s really too much material on it. It’s 77 minutes and 14 tracks long (granted 4 of those make up one epic). If you could cut it down to the best 60 minutes or so I think it would go down better.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on May 08, 2021, 10:31:11 PM
So I picked up a physical copy of Spock's Beard (self-titled/9) for the first time a few weeks ago. I was already somewhat familiar with it from having streamed it, but never was able to track one down since it's been out of print for a while.

Anyway, I've got a new appreciation for this one now. I think it might be my second favorite of the Nick era behind Feel Euphoria even. The production is stellar (Nick's drum sound is outstanding), and while there are a couple songs I could totally do without (Is This Love? and Wherever You Stand) there are some really great moments on this one. An a Perfect Day isn't a favorite, but it's a decent SB track. Skeleton's at the Feast is one I never liked before, but the middle section and ending are really great. I even really like Sometimes They Stay, Sometimes They Go now (Al's voice doesn't bother me. I kind of dig it). Hereafter is a nice piano ballad that shows off both Nick and Ryo's talents.

But the big highlights for me are All That's Left, With Your Kiss*, The Slow Crash Landing Man, As Far As The Mind Can See, and Rearranged. Al is absolutely on fire throughout this album, but he has some really great solos on these tracks, especially All That's Left and With Your Kiss. The asterisk on With Your Kiss is because I really hate that the song has a second section after the guitar solo and doesn't come back to that groove in the opening section at all. They could have ended it there and it would have been a wonderful pop song, instead it's an ok prop epic (the second section is pretty cool, but the ending doesn't live up to the beginning section). The Slow Crash Landing Man is another great Nick vocal moment, and I love the synth and guitar solos. Rearranged is a fun rocker to close.

The real star of this album is As Far As The Mind Can See. This might be my favorite post-Neal SB epic and honestly might be up there with songs like At The End of the Day and The Great Nothing. There's a bit of a kitchen sink approach to it, but I love all of it. Nick's drum performance is amazing. When the song slows down and you get that kind of Bonham type groove to kick off They Know We Know - that's the stuff. Just a delightful track.

This album definitely could have been a couple tracks shorter and been better. I could even see leaving off Sometimes They Stay or Skeletons at the Feast. But I do think it's a really good effort all around.

That's my favorite Nick era album. More focused than the previous ones I think and I also think they reached a comfort level at that point.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on May 09, 2021, 05:06:00 AM
I just can't stand the way they broke up every epic on the first 3 Nick albums. I wonder if they were purposely trying to "appear" more mainstream by having shorter track times in order to maybe gain some kind of crossover recognition.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on May 09, 2021, 07:40:40 AM
I just can't stand the way they broke up every epic on the first 3 Nick albums. I wonder if they were purposely trying to "appear" more mainstream by having shorter track times in order to maybe gain some kind of crossover recognition.

It could have been an order from Inside Out to release the albums that way, but that's just speculation.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on May 09, 2021, 08:04:48 AM
Eh, I think calling some of these suites epics is a bit generous.  A Flash Before My Eyes is similar to The Healing Colors of Sound in that it is a bunch of songs that make up a suite rather than a single song.  Call it semantics, but I have never thought of A Flash Before My Eyes as one song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on May 09, 2021, 08:15:50 AM
Eh, I think calling some of these suites epics is a bit generous.  A Flash Before My Eyes is similar to The Healing Colors of Sound in that it is a bunch of songs that make up a suite rather than a single song.  Call it semantics, but I have never thought of A Flash Before My Eyes as one song.

I feel like the terms are interchangeable when talking about prog songs, but I agree they're less "epic-ish" and more a collection of adjoined songs. Healing Colours feels more like a legit epic with the reprise of My Shoes whereas the others don't really revisit any sections (I think - it's been awhile). Every Rush epic feels like a suite since a lot of sections have a definite start/stop point, but the term epic is still applied to them.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: darkshade on May 09, 2021, 08:17:59 AM
I think an epic can be a suite, but not all suites are epics.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 09, 2021, 10:18:47 AM
Eh, I think calling some of these suites epics is a bit generous.  A Flash Before My Eyes is similar to The Healing Colors of Sound in that it is a bunch of songs that make up a suite rather than a single song.  Call it semantics, but I have never thought of A Flash Before My Eyes as one song.

Yeah, I think of it more like a mini concept album within the album. But I also don’t think of SDOIT as one epic song either.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 09, 2021, 10:19:34 AM
I just can't stand the way they broke up every epic on the first 3 Nick albums. I wonder if they were purposely trying to "appear" more mainstream by having shorter track times in order to maybe gain some kind of crossover recognition.

I suspect it had to do with downloading revenue more than anything.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on May 12, 2021, 11:35:03 AM
Nick has shared another SB cover, this time from the debut album, the closing song "On The Edge"!

https://youtu.be/uuRPz7isFfY

From Facebook, Nick says:
Quote
Here is another in my series of learning songs by ear only and recording what I've learned. This song comes off the 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 debut record ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”, released back in 1995.

In case you have not seen any of the other videos I have done like this let me explain: when I grew up and started learning how to play, I would put on records and listen. Even though drums were my first instrument I was always intrigued by all of the other parts too, so I tried to learn them. Of course, some songs are easier than others, but it is great ear training.

When 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 celebrated the 20th anniversary of our record "𝗩" I decided to give a try to recording one of the songs myself, doing my best to learn the parts as closely as I could. I'm not trying to recreate what 𝗔𝗹, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗥𝘆𝗼 or 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 did. There is no way I ever could. For instance, in this song the fast riff that comes in right after the opening mellow vocal section must’ve been written by 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 on keys because it is fairly easy to play. On guitar it is not that bad, but on bass guitar... let's just say that I did it 100 times before I got it right.

I'm making these videos and recording these songs for my education, ear training, to celebrate 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱’s music ( although I'm planning on branching out from 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 eventually – any suggestions? ) and to point out how important and good for your health ( I'm being serious ) it is to sit down and listen to music. I mean really listen. Learning in school or with a private teacher is fantastic and a part of becoming a good musician. But so is listening and trying to figure out what you are hearing. The more you do it then the better you get at it too. Put the two together and you could have something very special. The icing on the cake is that it is super fun to do.

#NDV #NickDVirgilio #SpocksBeard #Listening #Learning #EarTraining #ProgressiveRock #PlayMusic #ProgRock #TheLight #OnTheEdge

A very good rendition of the song! Nick has a lot of love for the SB material, and if the band ever come back for a new album and/or tour, I hope he can rejoin them!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: XeRocks81 on May 12, 2021, 11:37:25 AM
Nick has shared another SB cover, this time from the debut album, the closing song "On The Edge"!

https://youtu.be/uuRPz7isFfY

From Facebook, Nick says:
Quote
Here is another in my series of learning songs by ear only and recording what I've learned. This song comes off the 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 debut record ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”, released back in 1995.

In case you have not seen any of the other videos I have done like this let me explain: when I grew up and started learning how to play, I would put on records and listen. Even though drums were my first instrument I was always intrigued by all of the other parts too, so I tried to learn them. Of course, some songs are easier than others, but it is great ear training.

When 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 celebrated the 20th anniversary of our record "𝗩" I decided to give a try to recording one of the songs myself, doing my best to learn the parts as closely as I could. I'm not trying to recreate what 𝗔𝗹, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗥𝘆𝗼 or 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 did. There is no way I ever could. For instance, in this song the fast riff that comes in right after the opening mellow vocal section must’ve been written by 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 on keys because it is fairly easy to play. On guitar it is not that bad, but on bass guitar... let's just say that I did it 100 times before I got it right.

I'm making these videos and recording these songs for my education, ear training, to celebrate 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱’s music ( although I'm planning on branching out from 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 eventually – any suggestions? ) and to point out how important and good for your health ( I'm being serious ) it is to sit down and listen to music. I mean really listen. Learning in school or with a private teacher is fantastic and a part of becoming a good musician. But so is listening and trying to figure out what you are hearing. The more you do it then the better you get at it too. Put the two together and you could have something very special. The icing on the cake is that it is super fun to do.

#NDV #NickDVirgilio #SpocksBeard #Listening #Learning #EarTraining #ProgressiveRock #PlayMusic #ProgRock #TheLight #OnTheEdge

A very good rendition of the song! Nick has a lot of love for the SB material, and if the band ever come back for a new album and/or tour, I hope he can rejoin them!

-Marc.

it’s an odd situation becaue like you said Nick clearly seems to have lot of love for this music and for the guys in the band…but… a few years ago when they did Noise Floor he had the opportunity to rejoin the band and he choose not to do it. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Dedalus on May 12, 2021, 11:46:14 AM
Nick has shared another SB cover, this time from the debut album, the closing song "On The Edge"!

https://youtu.be/uuRPz7isFfY

From Facebook, Nick says:
Quote
Here is another in my series of learning songs by ear only and recording what I've learned. This song comes off the 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 debut record ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”, released back in 1995.

In case you have not seen any of the other videos I have done like this let me explain: when I grew up and started learning how to play, I would put on records and listen. Even though drums were my first instrument I was always intrigued by all of the other parts too, so I tried to learn them. Of course, some songs are easier than others, but it is great ear training.

When 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 celebrated the 20th anniversary of our record "𝗩" I decided to give a try to recording one of the songs myself, doing my best to learn the parts as closely as I could. I'm not trying to recreate what 𝗔𝗹, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗥𝘆𝗼 or 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 did. There is no way I ever could. For instance, in this song the fast riff that comes in right after the opening mellow vocal section must’ve been written by 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 on keys because it is fairly easy to play. On guitar it is not that bad, but on bass guitar... let's just say that I did it 100 times before I got it right.

I'm making these videos and recording these songs for my education, ear training, to celebrate 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱’s music ( although I'm planning on branching out from 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 eventually – any suggestions? ) and to point out how important and good for your health ( I'm being serious ) it is to sit down and listen to music. I mean really listen. Learning in school or with a private teacher is fantastic and a part of becoming a good musician. But so is listening and trying to figure out what you are hearing. The more you do it then the better you get at it too. Put the two together and you could have something very special. The icing on the cake is that it is super fun to do.

#NDV #NickDVirgilio #SpocksBeard #Listening #Learning #EarTraining #ProgressiveRock #PlayMusic #ProgRock #TheLight #OnTheEdge

A very good rendition of the song! Nick has a lot of love for the SB material, and if the band ever come back for a new album and/or tour, I hope he can rejoin them!

-Marc.

 :tup

Nick is amazing!!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on May 12, 2021, 02:29:24 PM
Nick has shared another SB cover, this time from the debut album, the closing song "On The Edge"!

https://youtu.be/uuRPz7isFfY

From Facebook, Nick says:
Quote
Here is another in my series of learning songs by ear only and recording what I've learned. This song comes off the 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 debut record ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”, released back in 1995.

In case you have not seen any of the other videos I have done like this let me explain: when I grew up and started learning how to play, I would put on records and listen. Even though drums were my first instrument I was always intrigued by all of the other parts too, so I tried to learn them. Of course, some songs are easier than others, but it is great ear training.

When 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 celebrated the 20th anniversary of our record "𝗩" I decided to give a try to recording one of the songs myself, doing my best to learn the parts as closely as I could. I'm not trying to recreate what 𝗔𝗹, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗥𝘆𝗼 or 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 did. There is no way I ever could. For instance, in this song the fast riff that comes in right after the opening mellow vocal section must’ve been written by 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 on keys because it is fairly easy to play. On guitar it is not that bad, but on bass guitar... let's just say that I did it 100 times before I got it right.

I'm making these videos and recording these songs for my education, ear training, to celebrate 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱’s music ( although I'm planning on branching out from 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 eventually – any suggestions? ) and to point out how important and good for your health ( I'm being serious ) it is to sit down and listen to music. I mean really listen. Learning in school or with a private teacher is fantastic and a part of becoming a good musician. But so is listening and trying to figure out what you are hearing. The more you do it then the better you get at it too. Put the two together and you could have something very special. The icing on the cake is that it is super fun to do.

#NDV #NickDVirgilio #SpocksBeard #Listening #Learning #EarTraining #ProgressiveRock #PlayMusic #ProgRock #TheLight #OnTheEdge

A very good rendition of the song! Nick has a lot of love for the SB material, and if the band ever come back for a new album and/or tour, I hope he can rejoin them!

-Marc.

Nick is such an awesome dude and I really enjoy these videos. I'm hoping to see him tackle Revelation at some point since he's picking obscure songs.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 12, 2021, 09:32:12 PM
Nick has shared another SB cover, this time from the debut album, the closing song "On The Edge"!

https://youtu.be/uuRPz7isFfY

From Facebook, Nick says:
Quote
Here is another in my series of learning songs by ear only and recording what I've learned. This song comes off the 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 debut record ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”, released back in 1995.

In case you have not seen any of the other videos I have done like this let me explain: when I grew up and started learning how to play, I would put on records and listen. Even though drums were my first instrument I was always intrigued by all of the other parts too, so I tried to learn them. Of course, some songs are easier than others, but it is great ear training.

When 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 celebrated the 20th anniversary of our record "𝗩" I decided to give a try to recording one of the songs myself, doing my best to learn the parts as closely as I could. I'm not trying to recreate what 𝗔𝗹, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝗥𝘆𝗼 or 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 did. There is no way I ever could. For instance, in this song the fast riff that comes in right after the opening mellow vocal section must’ve been written by 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗹 on keys because it is fairly easy to play. On guitar it is not that bad, but on bass guitar... let's just say that I did it 100 times before I got it right.

I'm making these videos and recording these songs for my education, ear training, to celebrate 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱’s music ( although I'm planning on branching out from 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗸'𝘀 eventually – any suggestions? ) and to point out how important and good for your health ( I'm being serious ) it is to sit down and listen to music. I mean really listen. Learning in school or with a private teacher is fantastic and a part of becoming a good musician. But so is listening and trying to figure out what you are hearing. The more you do it then the better you get at it too. Put the two together and you could have something very special. The icing on the cake is that it is super fun to do.

#NDV #NickDVirgilio #SpocksBeard #Listening #Learning #EarTraining #ProgressiveRock #PlayMusic #ProgRock #TheLight #OnTheEdge

A very good rendition of the song! Nick has a lot of love for the SB material, and if the band ever come back for a new album and/or tour, I hope he can rejoin them!

-Marc.

Saw this posted on Facebook this morning but just now got a chance to check it out. This was amazing. Probably sounds better than the original! Nick is the man.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: emtee on July 07, 2021, 10:19:59 AM
I listened to Octane this past weekend. What a great and underrated album!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on July 07, 2021, 11:11:47 AM
I listened to Octane this past weekend. What a great and underrated album!

I'd say SB is a great and underrated band!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on July 26, 2021, 05:52:35 PM
I listened to Octane this past weekend. What a great and underrated album!

I'd say SB is a great and underrated band!

I watched the Holland DVD over the weekend. They really were unstoppable when Neal was in the band.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on July 30, 2021, 02:20:18 PM
https://youtu.be/ZN_oDcuch4c

Doug Helvering has posted his reaction to "At The End Of The Day", which is his first foray into SB and Neal Morse, as far as I'm aware.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on July 30, 2021, 02:29:18 PM
https://youtu.be/ZN_oDcuch4c

Doug Helvering has posted his reaction to "At The End Of The Day", which first foray into SB and Neal Morse, as far as I'm aware.

-Marc.

One of my favorite SB songs! Hope he enjoyed it as much as I do. Will watch his video now :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 21, 2021, 06:21:13 PM
Ryo and Jimmy will be guest musicians on the upcoming Lobate Scarp album. You can find more information here (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/lobate-scarp-s-2nd-studio-album-new-prog-rock#/).

You can see some pics and videos of their sessions at the Mouse House on Facebook here. (https://www.facebook.com/100001147184567/posts/4168716016509930/)

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on August 28, 2021, 02:39:46 PM
I'd really love it if Ryo released a full solo album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 28, 2021, 03:32:22 PM
I'd really love it if Ryo released a full solo album.

There’s this one:

https://ryookumoto.bandcamp.com/album/coming-through
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 28, 2021, 03:33:16 PM
I'd really love it if Ryo released a full solo album.

You mean a fifth one? (https://www.discogs.com/artist/369516-Ryo-Okumoto) He's already had four, but the last one was in 2002, probably the most accessible one, Coming Through (https://www.discogs.com/Ryo-Okumoto-Coming-Through/release/4247029), which features his SB band mates (including Neal) and members of Toto. Really great album too, which I spin from time to time!

Ninja'd by HOF. :facepalm:

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on August 28, 2021, 04:29:48 PM
I'd really love it if Ryo released a full solo album.

You mean a fifth one? (https://www.discogs.com/artist/369516-Ryo-Okumoto) He's already had four, but the last one was in 2002, probably the most accessible one, Coming Through (https://www.discogs.com/Ryo-Okumoto-Coming-Through/release/4247029), which features his SB band mates (including Neal) and members of Toto. Really great album too, which I spin from time to time!

Ninja'd by HOF. :facepalm:

-Marc.

Thanks! I have the EP Winners Of The Heart or something like that which I really never got into. Don't know how I completely missed Coming Through.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 29, 2021, 05:01:32 PM
Well look at that, Ryo just posted on Facebook that he’s at Sweetwater tracking drums with NDV for an upcoming solo album:

https://m.facebook.com/#!/story.php?story_fbid=353151409800596&id=100053172201295
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 29, 2021, 05:13:42 PM
Well look at that, Ryo just posted on Facebook that he’s at Sweetwater tracking drums with NDV for an upcoming solo album:

https://m.facebook.com/#!/story.php?story_fbid=353151409800596&id=100053172201295

Quote
Folks, I have a wonderful announcement!

We recently recorded two drum tracks at Sweetwater Studios with my friend Nick D'Virgilio for my upcoming 5th solo album.

“Mirror Mirror” is the first song on the album, and “The Myth of the Mostrophus” (the title track), a 22-minute epic closes out the record.

Nick recorded both songs in 4 hours. It was incredible! Nick is such a great drummer. I have had killer drummers before — on my second album it was legend Jeff Porcaro and on my last album was the incomparable Simon Phillips. Two of the best drummers in the world…but I have to say Nick always was and always will be my favorite player.  Besides his technique, the drumming is so musical; his drums sing!

It’s not easy to find a drummer who possesses that rare combination of feel, groove, and chops. He simply knows how to make songs more dynamic, and he understands what a composer is trying to express within an arrangement. I think the reason he’s as good as he is, is that he’s not only great drummer, but also a fantastic singer and songwriter.  As you know, he was a founding member of Spock’s Beard, first on drums and then on lead vocals, while also playing guitar, bass and keyboards. Such a profoundly talented musician. I can’t wait to finish this album and have you all hear what we’ve been dreaming up for you!

Dave Meros tracks bass next and then Alan Morse on guitar. I can’t wait!

It’s all so exciting!

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/240646550_353150123134058_2035913634459003500_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8024bb&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=n02A1FT8DhcAX_F7Cmm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=1121544ce230490ef1281b6add27c03b&oe=6152026A)

And Dave Meros will be on it as well! Very exciting news for this SB-starved fan! Also, naming the opening track "Mirror, Mirror" is such a cheeky reference. I love it. I hope he gets Al on the album too!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on September 02, 2021, 08:21:57 PM
Doug Helvering has put up his reaction video to "Solitary Soul"/"Wind At My Back", but not the original studio version - he reacted to the Morsefest 2016 Snow Live version.

https://youtu.be/DtUeC7Fu7Sk

Makes me wanna pull out that concert and watch it this weekend, even if that one lyrical flub my Neal still bothers me a bit. 😅

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on September 06, 2021, 10:32:11 AM
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159273919585943&id=604185942

Mike Thorne recently shared an at-home session recording of "One So Wise" with Al, Ryo, Dave, and Ted, recorded back in April/May of 2020. It's a fun performance to watch, and it shows that at late as spring 2020, the band were still thinking about playing together in some capacity. Makes me wonder if Mike Thorne will continue drumming for them if the band continues on, either in studio or live.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: devieira73 on September 16, 2021, 06:00:00 AM
From InsideOut Facebook:
Legendary US progressive rockers Spock's Beard  are beyond excited to be announcing UK tour dates for March 2022.

Alan Morse comments:
“We're just so excited to get back on the road again, we can't wait to see all our friends we've missed so much during this crazy time. We are ready to rock! We're planning to play some of the Spock's "classics" we know y'all love to hear, plus some surprises you haven't heard in a long time - or maybe ever! Come up and say hello! Hope everyone is rested up and ready for a major supernova of prog rock madness, cos we're bringing it, baby!”

Here’s the complete list of dates:
14/03 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
15/03 - Glasgow, G2
16/03 - Bilston, Robin 2
17/03 - London, 229
18/03 - Great Yarmouth, HRH Prog

Tickets will go on sale on September 17th at 10 a.m. GMT.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTA on September 16, 2021, 06:19:09 AM
Even though I’m in the US and won’t see them, I’m really happy to see SB still together and doing stuff.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on September 16, 2021, 06:20:29 AM
From InsideOut Facebook:
Legendary US progressive rockers Spock's Beard  are beyond excited to be announcing UK tour dates for March 2022.

Alan Morse comments:
“We're just so excited to get back on the road again, we can't wait to see all our friends we've missed so much during this crazy time. We are ready to rock! We're planning to play some of the Spock's "classics" we know y'all love to hear, plus some surprises you haven't heard in a long time - or maybe ever! Come up and say hello! Hope everyone is rested up and ready for a major supernova of prog rock madness, cos we're bringing it, baby!”

Here’s the complete list of dates:
14/03 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
15/03 - Glasgow, G2
16/03 - Bilston, Robin 2
17/03 - London, 229
18/03 - Great Yarmouth, HRH Prog

Tickets will go on sale on September 17th at 10 a.m. GMT.


Hooray! Hopefully a new album at some point eventually as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gborland on September 16, 2021, 09:17:55 AM
This is an unexpected delight! I will be at the Glasgow show!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: devieira73 on September 16, 2021, 10:12:17 AM
By the way, Mike Thorne as drummer. :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on September 16, 2021, 10:15:31 AM
If they aren't working on a new studio album, I hope this tour yields a new live album from the band, especially if the set list will include some SB rarities! The Ted-Led SB has had very few live albums, and they're not very big shows either (Live At Sea, High Voltage, Live At Sweetwater - they're all very short single-disc shows with a bit of over-lap).

All in all, I'm glad that they haven't thrown the towel in yet!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on September 16, 2021, 10:42:57 AM
Looks like I have to go to England next spring.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gborland on September 16, 2021, 02:44:59 PM
Looks like I have to go to England next spring.

or Scotland
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on September 18, 2021, 09:24:53 AM
Ryo posted a clip of NDV tracking drums for one of the songs on his new solo album, and it sounds really good.

https://fb.watch/85LoS37KF7/

Not sure who that is singing. Thought it might be Nick at first, but the inflection doesn't sound like him. Pretty sure it's someone else, but it sounds great. Looking forward to this one coming out.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 02, 2022, 12:11:30 AM
Found out from Ryo that his upcoming solo album, The Myth Of The Mostrophus, will be out on July 29th from Inside Out.

The album will feature his bandmates in SB, past and present (Dave, Alan, and Nick, who recorded drums on 2 songs, including the 22-minute title track and cleverly titled "Mirror, Mirror"), as well as Michael Whiteman (co-producer), Jonathan Mover (drums on 4 tracks), Randy McStine (guitar/vocals), Doug Wimbish (bass), and Steve Lukather (I believe).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: devieira73 on January 02, 2022, 08:39:24 AM
Glad to know! His last solo album is great, so I’m very excited for this new one!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 06, 2022, 01:53:00 PM
I'm not sure if anyone here was going to see SB live in the UK this spring, but it looks like all of their upcoming tour dates have been cancelled.

I kind of hope this tour cancellation means that they'll take this time to start working on a new album. It's been over 3 years since Noise Floor, and while I liked that album quite a lot, I really hope it wasn't their last one. They're still wanting to play together, as evidenced by the now-cancelled tour, so I hope they've got it in them to do at least one more album.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 19, 2022, 08:42:46 AM
Neal posted on social media today that both The Light and Beware Of Darkness celebrate anniversaries this month!

The Light turns 27
Beware Of Darkness turned 26

Hard to believe those albums are as old now as the original Yes and Genesis albums were when Spock's Beard debuted on the prog scene!

Personally, I rate BOD very highly, a top 3 SB album for me, and The Light is really good too!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on January 19, 2022, 09:07:36 AM
I re-listened to both of those recently (along with the other Morse-era SB albums), and they definitely still hold up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 19, 2022, 09:12:38 AM
Neal posted on social media today that both The Light and Beware Of Darkness celebrate anniversaries this month!

The Light turns 27
Beware Of Darkness turned 26

Hard to believe those albums are as old now as the original Yes and Genesis albums were when Spock's Beard debuted on the prog scene!

Personally, I rate BOD very highly, a top 3 SB album for me, and The Light is really good too!

-Marc.

Both are great, though I also prefer Beware of Darkness. You might say Images and Words did more to reinvigorate progressive music, but in terms of things outside of the Prog metal realm, I think the arrival of Neal Morse onto the scene was kind of the spark that really ignited the modern revival of progressive music outside of the metal realm.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on January 19, 2022, 10:21:47 AM
Neal posted on social media today that both The Light and Beware Of Darkness celebrate anniversaries this month!

The Light turns 27
Beware Of Darkness turned 26

Hard to believe those albums are as old now as the original Yes and Genesis albums were when Spock's Beard debuted on the prog scene!

Personally, I rate BOD very highly, a top 3 SB album for me, and The Light is really good too!

-Marc.

Both are great, though I also prefer Beware of Darkness. You might say Images and Words did more to reinvigorate progressive music, but in terms of things outside of the Prog metal realm, I think the arrival of Neal Morse onto the scene was kind of the spark that really ignited the modern revival of progressive music outside of the metal realm.

Oh definitely. Between Neal/SB and Roine Stolt/The Flower Kings, the mid-90s was definitely a major third-wave of prog, revisiting the sounds of Yes/Genesis in a way that was respectful but not plagiarism to the point of direct comparisons (looking at you 80s Neo Prog). I would definitely throw in bands like DT and Porcupine Trees in there as well, covering influences like Rush and Pink Floyd respectively. There's a reason those four bands (DT, PT, SB, and TFK) are among my favorites. They modernized and propelled progressive rock into the new millennium. And thankfully, folks like Neal, Roine, and Steven Wilson are all still very active to this day, over 25 years later.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kram on January 19, 2022, 12:54:19 PM
Beware of Darkness is my second favorite Spocks album after V.  Love every track on it!  The Light is great too
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on January 20, 2022, 02:44:27 PM
Nick D'Virgilio has been doing a "Groovy Thursday" feature on his YouTube channel where he demonstrates different drum grooves. Today he did the opening groove from Mommy Comes Back. Always fun to watch him play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULlPi7693Cc
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 05, 2022, 12:44:09 PM
This could have gone a number of places, but NDV is Neal’s guest on his latest Musicians Having Coffee & Talking About Stuff podcast, and they spent a good chunk of time discussing the early days of Spock’s Beard. Some stuff I’d never really heard before. Kind of amazed to hear that both Neal and Nick were heavy smokers back in the day. A lot of reminiscing about Spock’s, but also some talk about BBT and Troika and stuff. Really fun conversation to be able to sit in on. Makes me so happy to see these two working together again.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sRLwWMMwhO4&fbclid=IwAR1cEGwVmtBrlTf4OMAWkeas9i3_3cQo9YhL_OnlKUKl0pN3YI8VZiSrI-c
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: jammindude on February 05, 2022, 12:50:48 PM
I know I keep saying this, but I really need to check out post-NM Beard.   

When he left, I thought to continue without him was akin to Richard, Colin, and Gavin continuing as PT without Steven Wilson...which is ludicrous.

But since then, I've heard many good things, and I did pick up (and somewhat enjoyed) BNaDS and TOP on the strength of Ted Leonard joining the fold.  But I haven't heard a single thing from FE thru X, nor have I heard Noise Floor.   So I should look into that. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on February 05, 2022, 12:56:56 PM
I know I keep saying this, but I really need to check out post-NM Beard.   

When he left, I thought to continue without him was akin to Richard, Colin, and Gavin continuing as PT without Steven Wilson...which is ludicrous.

But since then, I've heard many good things, and I did pick up (and somewhat enjoyed) BNaDS and TOP on the strength of Ted Leonard joining the fold.  But I haven't heard a single thing from FE thru X, nor have I heard Noise Floor.   So I should look into that.

It’s funny, Neal played a clip of From Out of Darkness from X at the end of that podcast, so I’m currently listening to that one right now. It’s a really great track.

Of the Nick era albums, X sounds the best but has a few clunkers on it. I really like Feel Euphoria and the self titled album with Nick, but all four of those albums have some real highs mixed with a few clunkers. Definitely worth checking out though.

I’m kind of alone on this island, but I love Noise Floor and think it is one of the best post-Neal albums. But part of that is because I mentally include the extra tracks from the bonus disc, which are really great. It’s unique in that it has Nick on drums and Ted on vocals, which is an outstanding lineup that I had hoped would continue, but they don’t seem to be in any rush to make more SB music right now.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on February 05, 2022, 02:49:58 PM
I know I keep saying this, but I really need to check out post-NM Beard.   

When he left, I thought to continue without him was akin to Richard, Colin, and Gavin continuing as PT without Steven Wilson...which is ludicrous.

But since then, I've heard many good things, and I did pick up (and somewhat enjoyed) BNaDS and TOP on the strength of Ted Leonard joining the fold.  But I haven't heard a single thing from FE thru X, nor have I heard Noise Floor.   So I should look into that.

It’s funny, Neal played a clip of From Out of Darkness from X at the end of that podcast, so I’m currently listening to that one right now. It’s a really great track.

Of the Nick era albums, X sounds the best but has a few clunkers on it. I really like Feel Euphoria and the self titled album with Nick, but all four of those albums have some real highs mixed with a few clunkers. Definitely worth checking out though.

I’m kind of alone on this island, but I love Noise Floor and think it is one of the best post-Neal albums. But part of that is because I mentally include the extra tracks from the bonus disc, which are really great. It’s unique in that it has Nick on drums and Ted on vocals, which is an outstanding lineup that I had hoped would continue, but they don’t seem to be in any rush to make more SB music right now.

"From The Darkness" is one of my absolute favorite NDV-era epics, and one that I always enjoy when I spin X. And there's good stuff on each of those four albums, really, so I can see how one might be one person's favorite and be another's least favorite. It just depends on what you like, but I enjoy them all almost equally, but Octane and X more so than the other two.

As for Noise Floor, if that's the last SB album we ever get, it's a fairly strong one to go out one. Something about having Nick back on the kit worked wonders for that album, though that isn't to say Jimmy was no slouch, he sounded fantastic on BNADS and TOP, but getting Nick back for NF was a treat. Hard to believe NF will turn four years old this year, and if they make another album again, this will have been the longest gap between any two SB albums since SB9-X from 2006 to 2010.  I'm still holding out hope they've got at least two more albums in them to get to XV!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on March 04, 2022, 07:42:59 AM
An update on Ryo's solo album:

Quote
This is it! Signing contract with Insideout Music Record Company for upcoming my solo album! Start mixing at Mouser Studio next week. I’m very excited about it!! Check out artist on this album below.

いよいよ5枚目のソロアルバム制作をプログレ界の1番大きなレコード会社“Insideout Music (ソニー)”との契約を交わした! 来週からあの“リッチ・マウザー”のスタジオでミックス開始。発売は7月29日。期待して‼︎ 下記がメンバー

Recording artist:
Keyboards: Ryo Okumoto
Guitars: Steve Hackett (GENESIS), Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa), Marc Bonilla (KEITH EMERSON) Randy McStine, Lyle Workman, Alan Morse (Spock's Beard), Michael Whiteman (Manic Whale)
Bass: Dave Meros (Spock’s Beard), Doug Wimbish (Living Color)
Drums and Percussion: Nick D'Virgilio (Spock’s Beard), Jonathan Mover (GTR, Alice Cooper, MirkKo De Maio (The Flower Kings, Ryo Okumoto
Woodwind: Andy Suzuki
Cello: Raphael Weinroth-Browne
Vocals: Michael Whiteman, Michael Sadler (Saga), Randy McStine. Nick D’Virgilio, Ted Leonard, Jimmy Keegan, Kevin Krohn, Keiko Okumoto

(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/275177112_468339248281811_650613289943269529_n.jpg?stp=cp0_dst-jpg_e15_fr_q65&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=110474&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&_nc_ohc=Bi_WqcMEurkAX8UtOKN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AT-_KVrvRGXTy5jL2eErD5wT8AU6L25kSz-zX9tI_Wje_w&oe=6227A8B8)

It will be released in July 29th!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on March 04, 2022, 07:45:24 AM
I see a lot of guys from Progject are on the album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 03, 2022, 01:44:31 PM
Another awesome video of Nick performing Gibberish for his new Drum Channel course. He just never ceases to amaze me with his talent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PKP5GRT8mE

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 04, 2022, 08:52:37 PM
So I'm watching this interview on the Sonic Perspectives with John Boegehold and Ted Leonard, and they keep referring to SB as "that other band". They also brought up the song "Much Ado", written by Ted for the new P-SA album, which is a song he's written for over a decade and originally wanted to do it with "that other band" (at John's insistence), and finally Ted was convinced to do with P-SA for their third album because "that other band" has been dragging their feet on making a new album.

Given Ted's attitude, I'd say he's not the one holding SB back from making a new album, and given that Dave (and I guess Jimmy, even though he left SB before Noise Floor) is also a part of Pattern-Seeking Animals, we can rule him out too since they're working together. Ryo has been busy with his solo album and the ProgJect, whose tour just started tonight.

Seems like, as my gut has been telling me, that Al is probably the one holding them back from wanting to reconvene and make a new album. I wonder if he feels slighted by the others for all doing other projects, especially Ted and Dave joining John for P-SA, all three of which have contributed quite a bit to the last few SB albums. Either way, I'm willing to bet that we aren't going to see another SB album ever again. Ted, in this interview, even (jokingly) says "it could be another decade before they (SB) make another album".

I've actually given up hope that SB will make a 14th studio album, but hey, if they want to prove me wrong and make one more album to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2025, I wouldn't be made. I've kind of wished they would reach their 15th album by their 30th anniversary, just for the neatness of the numbers.

Anyways, at least there's Pattern-Seeking Animals, which doesn't quite scratch the itch left by SB, but it definitely scratches other itches.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on April 04, 2022, 09:02:20 PM
I imagine it has more to do with Al just sort of winding down at this age (he’s 63). I would agree he’s probably the one holding back another album though. I still think, judging by things Neal has said on his podcast and considering that he’s had all of the band (except Ryo for whatever reason) on his podcast recently, if they were to do something again it would be some sort of a reunion album with Neal and Nick and Ted involved. Feels like they’d need something like Neal getting involved again to get everyone/Al motivated.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 04, 2022, 09:19:36 PM
I imagine it has more to do with Al just sort of winding down at this age (he’s 63). I would agree he’s probably the one holding back another album though. I still think, judging by things Neal has said on his podcast and considering that he’s had all of the band (except Ryo for whatever reason) on his podcast recently, if they were to do something again it would be some sort of a reunion album with Neal and Nick and Ted involved. Feels like they’d need something like Neal getting involved again to get everyone/Al motivated.

I could see that happening. Nick did rejoin to drum on Noise Floor, and they all seemed to enjoy performing Snow Live at Morsefest in 2016, so a reunion album would be a big sell, especially if they say it'll be their last album. They could pull a Porcupine Tree! Just don't leave anyone out unless they say they don't want to participate!  :lol

Knowing Neal, if he did do some reunion album with the Beard, he'd probably write enough material to do a double, make it another concept album, and go big with everything. Have different characters voiced by himself, Nick, Ted, and maybe even Jimmy and Al. A sequel to Snow might be a bit trite, but I wouldn't say "no" to it, though I'd rather see something original from Neal and company.

But as I said, I won't hold my breath for any news regarding SB. Ted even mentioned in the end of the Sonic Perspectives interview, when asked about the current situation/future for SB, that he had nothing to say, so I guess there really isn't anything going on. He did bring up that they were supposed to be touring Europe last month, but because of COVID, that tour had to be canceled. I wonder if that has put another nail in the coffin for SB?

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on April 04, 2022, 09:59:01 PM
At this point it seems that SB is mostly done unless they do a small tour here and there or a full on reunion with Neal and Nick, and Neal doesn't seem too interested in doing that, sadly.

Ted seems very frustrated with the current band situation, and I don't blame him. At least he's going to do the new TA tour and then PSA just released a killer new album and are playing some shows too. PSA is as close as it gets to a new SB album anyway, so I wouldn't mind him, Dave & co. moving on with that one as their "main" thing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on April 04, 2022, 10:39:44 PM
PSA is as close as it gets to a new SB album anyway, so I wouldn't mind him, Dave & co. moving on with that one as their "main" thing.

Agreed, and they seem ready and willing to write and record together as well. In fact, in that interview with Sonic Perspectives, John brought up that, in the time it took between sending off the masters of Only Passing Through and the album's eventual release (which was delayed by six months or so, originally set for release late last year, pushed back due to vinyl production delays), he's already written four new songs that have reached "critical mass" (his words). I would wager that he'll have another album's worth of material by year's end and the band will begin recording P-SA 4 by the end of the year, and aim for a Summer/Fall 2023 release.

Four PS-A albums in just over four years. At this rate, they're quickly becoming one of my favorite bands of the last decade and they've only been around for three years or so, but given their camaraderie and prior work together through SB, they've got a certain chemistry that works so well. John knows how to write for Ted, Dave, and Jimmy, and he writes to their strengths. Honestly, if I had to pick between the three SB albums with Ted and the three PS-A albums, I would have a hard time deciding which group I'd prefer over the other. There's just something fresh and refreshing about the PS-A music that I really enjoy, be it the arrangements, instrumentation, song structures, or just the brilliant performances from each player, it's a lot of fun to listen to their music. I hope they get a lot of positive response and reception at the Cruise!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 05, 2022, 01:11:54 AM
Ted might be frustrated with the Spock's Beard situation, because by the time he joined, he thought that was going to be his next big thing. However, even though his first album with the band was a success, the following two didn't quite take off. And given the quality of Noise floor (one of my least favorite SB albums), they might as well take a break and come back in a few years. I don't find it odd that some of the band members don't feel like putting in the effort. My guess is also that Alan isn't feeling it.

But yeah, there is also a possibility that SB isn't coming back. That's where P-SA comes into the game. However, it is also possible that SB might reunite with Neal and Nick at some point and put out an album with six guys on there. Time will tell.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on April 05, 2022, 04:43:07 AM
I imagine it has more to do with Al just sort of winding down at this age (he’s 63).

But then Ryo is 62 and Dave is 66 and they don't seem to be winding down.

I would like another SB record but I'm not holding my breath for it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: KevShmev on April 05, 2022, 07:07:10 AM
This feels like one of those "fans need to let go" situations.  It feels like almost everyone in the band has moved on to other things, so why force another Spock's Beard album just for the sake of it?  Bands come and go. They had a great run, but it appears over, and that is fine.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Mladen on April 05, 2022, 07:20:09 AM
Keep in mind that the band hasn't exactly attracted crowds over the recent years. They are considered legends among the niche of hardcore progheads, but they do not draw more than a couple hundred people at the shows. If they take a break and come back in five years, people might look at it like a comeback and there might be more fans lining up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on April 05, 2022, 09:57:57 AM
PSA is as close as it gets to a new SB album anyway, so I wouldn't mind him, Dave & co. moving on with that one as their "main" thing.

Agreed, and they seem ready and willing to write and record together as well. In fact, in that interview with Sonic Perspectives, John brought up that, in the time it took between sending off the masters of Only Passing Through and the album's eventual release (which was delayed by six months or so, originally set for release late last year, pushed back due to vinyl production delays), he's already written four new songs that have reached "critical mass" (his words). I would wager that he'll have another album's worth of material by year's end and the band will begin recording P-SA 4 by the end of the year, and aim for a Summer/Fall 2023 release.

Four PS-A albums in just over four years. At this rate, they're quickly becoming one of my favorite bands of the last decade and they've only been around for three years or so, but given their camaraderie and prior work together through SB, they've got a certain chemistry that works so well. John knows how to write for Ted, Dave, and Jimmy, and he writes to their strengths. Honestly, if I had to pick between the three SB albums with Ted and the three PS-A albums, I would have a hard time deciding which group I'd prefer over the other. There's just something fresh and refreshing about the PS-A music that I really enjoy, be it the arrangements, instrumentation, song structures, or just the brilliant performances from each player, it's a lot of fun to listen to their music. I hope they get a lot of positive response and reception at the Cruise!

-Marc.

After listening to Only Passing Through, I'd say a new P-SA album next year would be the best SB related news we could ever get apart from a reunion with Neal (which probably won't ever happen).

Ted might be frustrated with the Spock's Beard situation, because by the time he joined, he thought that was going to be his next big thing. However, even though his first album with the band was a success, the following two didn't quite take off. And given the quality of Noise floor (one of my least favorite SB albums), they might as well take a break and come back in a few years. I don't find it odd that some of the band members don't feel like putting in the effort. My guess is also that Alan isn't feeling it.

I remember an interview with Ted a while ago where he said that some of the band members hated/didn't like Noise Floor for whatever reason (and he wasn't one of them). Hard to see them getting back into the studio when even some of them weren't too fond of the last one anyway. Also, Ted has made comments before on how he loves being not just a vocalist but also a guitar player. The new band they have lets him be the guy for both things, so I'd say he enjoys that role more than his role in Spock's.

This feels like one of those "fans need to let go" situations.  It feels like almost everyone in the band has moved on to other things, so why force another Spock's Beard album just for the sake of it?  Bands come and go. They had a great run, but it appears over, and that is fine.

This is where I'm at too. P-SA works well enough for me to the point I don't really need another SB record unless it's a super special thing like something with Neal again. Also, Ryo's new solo album releases this year and IIRC it features Ted, Nick, Jimmy, Dave and Alan anyway. That's close enough too :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on April 05, 2022, 04:10:13 PM
From what I understand they postpones European dates this year. Still sounds like they'd like to play still.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on May 07, 2022, 02:52:09 PM
7/29/22 release date for Ryo's new album. Presale starting on 5/24.

https://www.ryookumoto.com/ja/mostrophus/?fbclid=IwAR26vkO9PVtDFceEAlPA2hEB5l0IwqqjET9RaOkQPHKQ8GnkLRSO5JW4bb0

Artwork is something!

(https://www.ryookumoto.com/assets/images/mostrophus/banner.jpg)
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on May 07, 2022, 04:11:59 PM
That is a friggin' awesome cover!

I will be picking this one up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on May 22, 2022, 07:48:45 PM
That is a friggin' awesome cover!

I will be picking this one up.

As will I because it's Ryo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on May 23, 2022, 08:48:54 AM
https://www.ryookumoto.com/mostrophus/

Pre-orders for Ryo's new solo album are now up at his store! I ordered the Japanese edition CD with bonus tracks and tacked on the Demos CD as well cuz why not? Since I got the Japanese edition I probably won't get mine til mid-August but that's okay. Something to look forward to!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: devieira73 on May 23, 2022, 09:12:55 AM
Cool, almost 32 minutes of Ryo's album are composed by him and performed by Spock's Beard! I have great expectations for this album as I think Coming Through is a very good album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on May 24, 2022, 02:04:02 PM
Cool, almost 32 minutes of Ryo's album are composed by him and performed by Spock's Beard! I have great expectations for this album as I think Coming Through is a very good album.

This got me very excited too! It's like a new SB EP, written by Ryo. I wish he had gotten Neal there too though, as he got everybody else except him (and Mike Thorne, but he was never a full member).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: emtee on May 24, 2022, 03:14:50 PM
How much $ do you think Ryo makes on a project like this that may only sell 1 or 2K albums?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Fritzinger on May 25, 2022, 03:41:05 AM
How much $ do you think Ryo makes on a project like this that may only sell 1 or 2K albums?

I think about this a lot.

I can't imagine the last albums by The Tangent, Flower Kings, Gungfly or even Pain Of Salvation selling that many albums that the band can live off the earnings.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Orbert on May 25, 2022, 08:52:52 AM
I don't think it's about the money for some people/bands.  Especially with how broken the music industry is, I don't think a guy like Ryo is ever going to be super popular or mega rich, but he's got a name out there and some cred, so he makes music.  I wouldn't be surprised if guys in that situation actually lose money on albums.  But what else are they gonna do?  This is what they do.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Metro on May 25, 2022, 09:23:53 AM
Idk if anyone here watches the Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim(probably no one but me), but Ryo was the keyboard player for Eric’s house band in Season 5

https://youtu.be/yW-EkJ2hUR4

The most SFW clip from that show I could post. Certainly not the most shocking thing to happen on that show, but as a fan of SB and Eric Andre, I never expected those two worlds to collide  :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Orbert on May 25, 2022, 10:03:33 AM
See, that's what I mean.  He took that gig and it paid the bills for a while.  He plays on someone's album and picks up some green.  He's in the biz and known amongst those who need to know.  He makes a solo album because he wants to and it's doable.  He knows he's not gonna be the next Rick Wakeman or anything, but he's a working musician, working.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on June 01, 2022, 12:25:37 PM
June... came upon us much too soon...

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on June 22, 2022, 06:04:32 PM
I don't think it's about the money for some people/bands.  Especially with how broken the music industry is, I don't think a guy like Ryo is ever going to be super popular or mega rich, but he's got a name out there and some cred, so he makes music.  I wouldn't be surprised if guys in that situation actually lose money on albums.  But what else are they gonna do?  This is what they do.

Unless you have a machine behind you, there isn't much money that comes with being a musician these days.  Sadly, if you can pay your bills that has to qualify for being a financial success so you have to love what you're doing to make it worthwhile.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: MinistroRaven on June 23, 2022, 07:15:15 AM
Ryo Okumoto, long-time keyboardist for prog rock group Spock’s Beard, recently announced his new solo album ‘The Myth of the Mostrophus’, due out on July 29th, 2022 on InsideOutMusic. The six song prog extravaganza features Okumoto’s signature style accompanied by the talents of a who’s who of progressive rock.
 
Today, Ryo is pleased to share the video for the single “The Watchmaker” which you can see here:
https://youtu.be/g8Xz5qZFZ1g
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: emtee on June 23, 2022, 07:51:09 AM
That had zero feels. I'll be passing on this one.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Orbert on June 23, 2022, 10:05:26 AM
I thought it sounded pretty good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on June 23, 2022, 12:40:24 PM
I want to listen to it, but given that we are a little over a month from release, I'll just wait. I've got new PT to spin until then anyway, but I am still very much looking forward to this. Coming Through is one of my favorite SB-member solo albums, and the stacked guest list for this new one is impressive.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kram on June 23, 2022, 01:50:41 PM
That had zero feels. I'll be passing on this one.
That song did nothing for me either sadly.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ytserush on July 02, 2022, 06:17:04 PM
Still haven't heard it. Haven't figured out which version to get yet.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on July 19, 2022, 08:54:12 AM
Here's a clip of NDV recording his drums for the title track. This track sounds a lot more promising than the lead single, though it's only a small snippet of a 22 minute track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVt80OhBJE
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on July 19, 2022, 09:26:32 AM
Here's a clip of NDV recording his drums for the title track. This track sounds a lot more promising than the lead single, though it's only a small snippet of a 22 minute track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfVt80OhBJE

Ryo posted a clip of NDV tracking drums for one of the songs on his new solo album, and it sounds really good.

https://fb.watch/85LoS37KF7/

Not sure who that is singing. Thought it might be Nick at first, but the inflection doesn't sound like him. Pretty sure it's someone else, but it sounds great. Looking forward to this one coming out.

Seems like the same clip from last September. Even noticed that the YouTube one says it was posted 10 months ago.

We are just ten days away from release date!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on July 19, 2022, 09:50:48 AM
Ha! Forgot all about the prior clip.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on July 29, 2022, 08:46:58 AM
Video for "Chrysalis" featuring Randy McStine from Ryo's new album. This one pushed me over the edge to buy (didn't realize it was out today already).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2qJYs-GWcg

I've actually kind of thought before if Al Morse doesn't want to carry on with SB, Randy would make a great replacement. Get Nick back on drums, have Ted, Randy, and Nick all able to swap out leads and harmonize, and you'd have a really great lineup.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: devieira73 on July 29, 2022, 09:10:15 AM
With just 2 listens, I think this album is truly amazing!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on July 29, 2022, 10:21:45 AM
Mine arrives today. Hope to listen to it later on.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on July 29, 2022, 02:00:05 PM
With just 2 listens, I think this album is truly amazing!

AGREE :tup :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on July 29, 2022, 02:00:57 PM
Video for "Chrysalis" featuring Randy McStine from Ryo's new album. This one pushed me over the edge to buy (didn't realize it was out today already).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2qJYs-GWcg

I've actually kind of thought before if Al Morse doesn't want to carry on with SB, Randy would make a great replacement. Get Nick back on drums, have Ted, Randy, and Nick all able to swap out leads and harmonize, and you'd have a really great lineup.

Agreed! :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on July 29, 2022, 02:24:17 PM
For those interested, looking at the liner notes, the opening and closing tracks are essentially The Beard. NDV sings Mirror, Mirror and Ted and NDV share lead vocals on the epic title track. On both, guitar is Al, bass is Dave and drums are NDV.

I haven't listened to it yet, but I will be later today.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on July 29, 2022, 02:29:32 PM
For those interested, looking at the liner notes, the opening and closing tracks are essentially The Beard. NDV sings Mirror, Mirror and Ted and NDV share lead vocals on the epic title track. On both, guitar is Al, bass is Dave and drums are NDV.

I haven't listened to it yet, but I will be later today.

Yep. I listened to the Amazon download today while waiting on the CD, and they are both really strong tracks. Certainly feels like there's plenty of gas in the tank if SB ever wants to make another album.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on July 29, 2022, 02:34:34 PM
For those interested, looking at the liner notes, the opening and closing tracks are essentially The Beard. NDV sings Mirror, Mirror and Ted and NDV share lead vocals on the epic title track. On both, guitar is Al, bass is Dave and drums are NDV.

I haven't listened to it yet, but I will be later today.

Yep. I listened to the Amazon download today while waiting on the CD, and they are both really strong tracks. Certainly feels like there's plenty of gas in the tank if SB ever wants to make another album.

Haven't got the album yet, but isn't Jimmy featured somewhere there too? Maybe on a different track.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: ProfessorPeart on July 29, 2022, 09:58:53 PM
Going through the liner notes and Jimmy played all the drums on the demo and is relegated to strictly backing vocals on the title track. He actually doesn't play at all.

And I can't believe this didn't register sooner, Mirror, Mirror is all about the episode where we first saw Spock's beard.  :lol

The title track is essentially Kaiju Prog Metal. Gotta love Ryo.

Speaking of the just over 30 minutes of new Beard we get here, I was thinking the same thing, what is holding them back? Heck, this was 30+ minutes not written by Boegehold either. I enjoyed both tracks quite a bit. They can still do it if they want.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on July 30, 2022, 12:04:22 AM
Speaking of the just over 30 minutes of new Beard we get here, I was thinking the same thing, what is holding them back? Heck, this was 30+ minutes not written by Boegehold either. I enjoyed both tracks quite a bit. They can still do it if they want.

Do they want, though? There was an interview with Ted posted here not long ago where he seemed very frustrated about the band not really doing anything. Don't know who has the final say in that, but at least it seems not all of them are in the same page about that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on July 30, 2022, 01:03:58 AM
On Facebook, Ryo recently replied to a fan asking if SB were disbanded and he replied saying that they were not.

AFAIK, Al is the only one not doing any sort of musical venture lately. Ryo just made an album and has been doing his Progject. Ted and Dave have been doing P-SA with Jimmy and John. And Nick is busy with BBT, among many other things. I'm not saying Al is the one holding them up, but the other guys have all been busy with other music.

At this rate, itl be at least five years since Noise Floor before a new album comes out, though they had planned a European tour earlier this year it didn't pan out for one reason or another. I still hope they have enough creative juices for one more album, but if not, they had a heck of a run - 13 albums over 24 years, a discography that all involved should be proud of.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on July 30, 2022, 08:20:09 AM
I do wonder if any of these songs were offered to SB or not. One issue might be that Ryo apparently has a 4 album deal with Inside Out and plans to do one every other year or so I believe according to his appearance on the Prog Report podcast. Maybe he decided to plow ahead with solo stuff since SB was so inactive, and I could see that conflicting with future SB releases if it takes up a lot of his time and energy (he did mention he has lots of unused songs though).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: King Postwhore on August 02, 2022, 11:07:01 AM
Man is the song, "Chrysalis" stunning.  Worth purchasing the album for that song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 02, 2022, 11:33:24 AM
Man is the song, "Chrysalis" stunning.  Worth purchasing the album for that song.

Yep. It’s really great.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 03, 2022, 08:05:55 AM
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

Quote
Because anytime there is a post regarding SB or any current or former member of SB, somebody says, “Didn’t they break up?” You know who never said we’ve broken up? Spock’s Beard! They are still together with Mike Thorn playing drums for live shows. Ted, Dave and I have a band called Pattern-Seeking Animals but Spock’s didn’t break up. Nick is still in Big Big Train but Spock’s didn’t break up. Ryo just released a great new solo record with some of us on it. Al is recording a solo album (I know I’m on it, maybe other members, not sure) but Spock’s didn’t break up. Neal hasn’t been in Spock’s Beard for almost 20 years but … you guessed it … Spock’s didn’t break up. Things change. We are all still great friends regardless of the changes. The Beard is not dead yet! Keep your tickets, go to the show and have a great time.

The most interesting tidbit is that Al is working on a new solo record! I wonder when it'll come out...

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: devieira73 on August 03, 2022, 08:18:43 AM
Really good they made it clear. :tup And I hope they keep Nick playing with them in a future studio release.
Anyway, SB just announced in their Facebook they will playing at PROGXII on 9th an 12th november 2023.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 03, 2022, 12:30:32 PM
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

Quote
Because anytime there is a post regarding SB or any current or former member of SB, somebody says, “Didn’t they break up?” You know who never said we’ve broken up? Spock’s Beard! They are still together with Mike Thorn playing drums for live shows. Ted, Dave and I have a band called Pattern-Seeking Animals but Spock’s didn’t break up. Nick is still in Big Big Train but Spock’s didn’t break up. Ryo just released a great new solo record with some of us on it. Al is recording a solo album (I know I’m on it, maybe other members, not sure) but Spock’s didn’t break up. Neal hasn’t been in Spock’s Beard for almost 20 years but … you guessed it … Spock’s didn’t break up. Things change. We are all still great friends regardless of the changes. The Beard is not dead yet! Keep your tickets, go to the show and have a great time.

The most interesting tidbit is that Al is working on a new solo record! I wonder when it'll come out...

-Marc.

Maybe, just maybe, people wouldn't think they broke up if they were actually doing anything as a band :lol

They haven't been writing, recording or touring in a while. No updates, posts, nothing. That recent interview with Ted where he implied he wanted them to do more but things just weren't moving didn't help either.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 03, 2022, 02:28:03 PM
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

Quote
Because anytime there is a post regarding SB or any current or former member of SB, somebody says, “Didn’t they break up?” You know who never said we’ve broken up? Spock’s Beard! They are still together with Mike Thorn playing drums for live shows. Ted, Dave and I have a band called Pattern-Seeking Animals but Spock’s didn’t break up. Nick is still in Big Big Train but Spock’s didn’t break up. Ryo just released a great new solo record with some of us on it. Al is recording a solo album (I know I’m on it, maybe other members, not sure) but Spock’s didn’t break up. Neal hasn’t been in Spock’s Beard for almost 20 years but … you guessed it … Spock’s didn’t break up. Things change. We are all still great friends regardless of the changes. The Beard is not dead yet! Keep your tickets, go to the show and have a great time.

The most interesting tidbit is that Al is working on a new solo record! I wonder when it'll come out...

-Marc.

Maybe, just maybe, people wouldn't think they broke up if they were actually doing anything as a band :lol

They haven't been writing, recording or touring in a while. No updates, posts, nothing. That recent interview with Ted where he implied he wanted them to do more but things just weren't moving didn't help either.

To be fair, there WAS a European tour scheduled for this year but was canceled, so they were definitely going to be active this year. Perhaps they'll surprise us before the end of the year with a new album announcement. We're already in the longest period between albums at nearly 4.5 years since Noise Floor. Previous longest gap was between SB9 and X, about four years.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on August 03, 2022, 04:07:19 PM
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

Quote
Because anytime there is a post regarding SB or any current or former member of SB, somebody says, “Didn’t they break up?” You know who never said we’ve broken up? Spock’s Beard! They are still together with Mike Thorn playing drums for live shows. Ted, Dave and I have a band called Pattern-Seeking Animals but Spock’s didn’t break up. Nick is still in Big Big Train but Spock’s didn’t break up. Ryo just released a great new solo record with some of us on it. Al is recording a solo album (I know I’m on it, maybe other members, not sure) but Spock’s didn’t break up. Neal hasn’t been in Spock’s Beard for almost 20 years but … you guessed it … Spock’s didn’t break up. Things change. We are all still great friends regardless of the changes. The Beard is not dead yet! Keep your tickets, go to the show and have a great time.

The most interesting tidbit is that Al is working on a new solo record! I wonder when it'll come out...

-Marc.

Maybe, just maybe, people wouldn't think they broke up if they were actually doing anything as a band :lol

They haven't been writing, recording or touring in a while. No updates, posts, nothing. That recent interview with Ted where he implied he wanted them to do more but things just weren't moving didn't help either.

To be fair, there WAS a European tour scheduled for this year but was canceled, so they were definitely going to be active this year. Perhaps they'll surprise us before the end of the year with a new album announcement. We're already in the longest period between albums at nearly 4.5 years since Noise Floor. Previous longest gap was between SB9 and X, about four years.

-Marc.

Not looking likely, but i like your optimism :lol :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 06, 2022, 12:43:58 AM
I can't stop spinning TMOTM this week, and today I finally ripped my Japanese Edition CD with the two bonus tracks, both of which are good, but are understandably bonus tracks for a reason, though the one features more Alan Morse, so that's a plus.

I think this new Ryo album is surpassing his previous one from two decades ago, Coming Through, but that one is pretty good too.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 06, 2022, 08:17:21 AM
I can't stop spinning TMOTM this week, and today I finally ripped my Japanese Edition CD with the two bonus tracks, both of which are good, but are understandably bonus tracks for a reason, though the one features more Alan Morse, so that's a plus.

I think this new Ryo album is surpassing his previous one from two decades ago, Coming Through, but that one is pretty good too.

-Marc.

I love the new album too, although I struggle with the 3 tracks between Mirror, Mirror and Chrysalis. I do like The Watchmaker more than I did when I first saw the video. But I think it’s the vocalists on those tracks that holds them back a bit.

That said, the album is worth owning for the two SB tracks and Randy’s performance on Chrysalis. The title track is a really great epic. I love the “woah, woah, woah” part. That’s just a really great piece of songwriting.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 08, 2022, 02:24:09 PM
I can't stop spinning TMOTM this week, and today I finally ripped my Japanese Edition CD with the two bonus tracks, both of which are good, but are understandably bonus tracks for a reason, though the one features more Alan Morse, so that's a plus.

I think this new Ryo album is surpassing his previous one from two decades ago, Coming Through, but that one is pretty good too.

-Marc.

I love the new album too, although I struggle with the 3 tracks between Mirror, Mirror and Chrysalis. I do like The Watchmaker more than I did when I first saw the video. But I think it’s the vocalists on those tracks that holds them back a bit.

That said, the album is worth owning for the two SB tracks and Randy’s performance on Chrysalis. The title track is a really great epic. I love the “woah, woah, woah” part. That’s just a really great piece of songwriting.

Oh man, the first time I listened to that "Golden Melody" part in the title track, I was floored. It's so singable and I can't help but sing along to it every time it comes up. Such a brilliant melody and works so well in the song.

As for the three songs in the middle, I like them. The playing is pretty great and I don't mind the vocals as they have grown on me.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 08, 2022, 03:05:22 PM
I can't stop spinning TMOTM this week, and today I finally ripped my Japanese Edition CD with the two bonus tracks, both of which are good, but are understandably bonus tracks for a reason, though the one features more Alan Morse, so that's a plus.

I think this new Ryo album is surpassing his previous one from two decades ago, Coming Through, but that one is pretty good too.

-Marc.

I love the new album too, although I struggle with the 3 tracks between Mirror, Mirror and Chrysalis. I do like The Watchmaker more than I did when I first saw the video. But I think it’s the vocalists on those tracks that holds them back a bit.

That said, the album is worth owning for the two SB tracks and Randy’s performance on Chrysalis. The title track is a really great epic. I love the “woah, woah, woah” part. That’s just a really great piece of songwriting.

Oh man, the first time I listened to that "Golden Melody" part in the title track, I was floored. It's so singable and I can't help but sing along to it every time it comes up. Such a brilliant melody and works so well in the song.

As for the three songs in the middle, I like them. The playing is pretty great and I don't mind the vocals as they have grown on me.

-Marc.

Something about that Golden Melody section really hit me when I was listening to it this morning. Literally had me tearing up.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on August 27, 2022, 12:22:54 PM
According to a FB post by PROG Magazine, today is the 20th anniversary of the release of Snow.

Might have to give this one a spin sometime this weekend! Hard to believe this one is two decades old already!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 27, 2022, 04:13:51 PM
According to a FB post by PROG Magazine, today is the 20th anniversary of the release of Snow.

Might have to give this one a spin sometime this weekend! Hard to believe this one is two decades old already!

-Marc.

Nothing to do this afternoon so giving this a listen while doing some dinner prep and cleaning. Still so good.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: SoundscapeMN on August 29, 2022, 04:56:10 AM
According to a FB post by PROG Magazine, today is the 20th anniversary of the release of Snow.

Might have to give this one a spin sometime this weekend! Hard to believe this one is two decades old already!

-Marc.

yeah I saw that on twitter and chimed in on it's unfortunate stll that Snow along with all of the Neal Morse Spock's albums are still not on Spotify. I can't remember the specific reason, but just in terms of exposure, it's not helping attracting new listeners at this point.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 29, 2022, 05:57:28 AM
According to a FB post by PROG Magazine, today is the 20th anniversary of the release of Snow.

Might have to give this one a spin sometime this weekend! Hard to believe this one is two decades old already!

-Marc.

yeah I saw that on twitter and chimed in on it's unfortunate stll that Snow along with all of the Neal Morse Spock's albums are still not on Spotify. I can't remember the specific reason, but just in terms of exposure, it's not helping attracting new listeners at this point.

It’s because Neal doesn’t want them to be. He was initially anti-streaming altogether, but then he launched his own streaming app (though now there are a few of his albums available on streaming services - the latest TA and NMB albums, Jesus Christ Exorcist, the D’Virgilio, Morse & Jennings album, etc.).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: Kwyjibo on August 29, 2022, 09:41:09 AM
If all his records were on spotify, nobody would subscribe to his  Waterfall app.

That the newer ones are on spotify may have to do with the fact that he is on the Inside Out label again. Maybe the label insisted in putting the music on streaming services?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on August 29, 2022, 09:45:55 AM
If all his records were on spotify, nobody would subscribe to his  Waterfall app.

That the newer ones are on spotify may have to do with the fact that he is on the Inside Out label again. Maybe the label insisted in putting the music on streaming services?

Yeah, I imagine Inside Out wanted them to be available to streaming services.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: gzarruk on October 09, 2022, 07:59:01 AM
Ryo is offering The Myth of the Mostrophus demos through Bandcamp. Apparently, all tracks feature Alan, Jimmy and Michael Whiteman.

https://ryookumoto.bandcamp.com/album/the-myth-of-the-mostrophus-demos
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: The Letter M on October 09, 2022, 09:53:06 AM
Ryo is offering The Myth of the Mostrophus demos through Bandcamp. Apparently, all tracks feature Alan, Jimmy and Michael Whiteman.

https://ryookumoto.bandcamp.com/album/the-myth-of-the-mostrophus-demos

According to the CD's liner notes, Alan Morse only appears on the demo for "Mirror Mirror".

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: MinistroRaven on November 17, 2022, 06:38:28 AM
Swedish progressive rock outfit Jonas Lindberg and The Other Side released their latest album Miles From Nowhere earlier this year to critical acclaim.  Now, while busy working on new music, the band have recorded a cover of the Spock’s Beard classic “The Good Don’t Last”.
 
Listen to the track here:
https://youtu.be/cgE0jc1qKBA
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread - v. Noise Floor (2018)
Post by: HOF on November 17, 2022, 07:38:51 AM
Swedish progressive rock outfit Jonas Lindberg and The Other Side released their latest album Miles From Nowhere earlier this year to critical acclaim.  Now, while busy working on new music, the band have recorded a cover of the Spock’s Beard classic “The Good Don’t Last”.
 
Listen to the track here:
https://youtu.be/cgE0jc1qKBA

Nice!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 17, 2022, 09:18:21 AM
Modified the thread title since 2018 was a long time ago.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: OpenYourEyes311 on November 17, 2022, 08:54:08 PM
I'm not a huge Spock's Beard fan. I like Neal, so I've listened to all the old albums. I've dabbled in some of the Nick and Ted stuff, but it doesn't do much for me. But I remember Noise Floor coming out. It feels like that happened yesterday. Last year at most. THAT WAS FOUR+ YEARS AGO?! Holy shit, time flies when you get old.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 18, 2022, 09:20:51 AM
I've been listening to a ton of SB lately.  To me in the Neal era the run from the Light to V is near unmatched in prog.

I didn't include Snow cause try as I might.......despite it's near universal acclaim......it does very little for me.

And X is as good as any Neal era record.  So is Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep while i'm at it.

This band and Flower Kings are two of my all time fav prog bands.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 18, 2022, 09:49:34 AM
I can agree to everything you said, except I was never able to get into The Flower Kings.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 18, 2022, 09:57:39 AM
I say it every few months in this thread, but Noise Floor is in the conversation for my favorite post-Neal SB album. I think they just hit on a really nice sound on that one.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 18, 2022, 10:09:07 AM
I say it every few months in this thread, but Noise Floor is in the conversation for my favorite post-Neal SB album. I think they just hit on a really nice sound on that one.

Noise Floor is a weird one for me.  I forget it exists BUT then i play it ad everytime i love it.

the Ted era is actually very good on it's own.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 18, 2022, 10:14:14 AM
I say it every few months in this thread, but Noise Floor is in the conversation for my favorite post-Neal SB album. I think they just hit on a really nice sound on that one.

Noise Floor is a weird one for me.  I forget it exists BUT then i play it ad everytime i love it.

the Ted era is actually very good on it's own.

I didn't get much out of The Oblivion Particle, but both Brief Nocturnes and Noise Floor have a lot of great stuff on them. Absolutely nothing against Jimmy, but having Nick back on Noise Floor somehow just made it that much better.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on November 18, 2022, 10:15:32 AM
Noise Floor is good, but just wasn't an album that screamed for attention in my CD player.  For as unusual as it was by their standards, I got a lot of mileage out of The Oblivion Particle, even if it is an album I now rarely revisit.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 18, 2022, 10:18:52 AM
I say it every few months in this thread, but Noise Floor is in the conversation for my favorite post-Neal SB album. I think they just hit on a really nice sound on that one.

Noise Floor is a weird one for me.  I forget it exists BUT then i play it ad everytime i love it.

the Ted era is actually very good on it's own.

I didn't get much out of The Oblivion Particle, but both Brief Nocturnes and Noise Floor have a lot of great stuff on them. Absolutely nothing against Jimmy, but having Nick back on Noise Floor somehow just made it that much better.


i agree there.  To me losing Neal wasn't a huge deal in the long run  Cause my man wound up being Prolific and EVERYWHERE, lol

Nick however i was so sad when he left after the wonderful X

Nick is awesome on drums AND he can sing to boot.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 18, 2022, 10:25:46 AM
I say it every few months in this thread, but Noise Floor is in the conversation for my favorite post-Neal SB album. I think they just hit on a really nice sound on that one.

Noise Floor is a weird one for me.  I forget it exists BUT then i play it ad everytime i love it.

the Ted era is actually very good on it's own.

I didn't get much out of The Oblivion Particle, but both Brief Nocturnes and Noise Floor have a lot of great stuff on them. Absolutely nothing against Jimmy, but having Nick back on Noise Floor somehow just made it that much better.


i agree there.  To me losing Neal wasn't a huge deal in the long run  Cause my man wound up being Prolific and EVERYWHERE, lol

Nick however i was so sad when he left after the wonderful X

Nick is awesome on drums AND he can sing to boot.

Yep, although Nick is everywhere too, just a little bit lower profile (and I love Big Big Train even more than Spock's Beard). He's both my favorite drummer and one of my favorite singers. Hard to beat that combo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: DoctorAction on November 18, 2022, 04:00:30 PM
Every time I see this thread updated I check in to see if it's some news that Neal has come to his senses and there's going to be another Beard album with the classic lineup. I've never really understood why, after all this time, he's not gone back to it. As much as he's done worthwhile work since, SB is the best. Even TA doesn't touch it for me.

Also, the SB forum was great - and the backbone of this forum!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 18, 2022, 09:44:47 PM
Every time I see this thread updated I check in to see if it's some news that Neal has come to his senses and there's going to be another Beard album with the classic lineup. I've never really understood why, after all this time, he's not gone back to it. As much as he's done worthwhile work since, SB is the best. Even TA doesn't touch it for me.

Also, the SB forum was great - and the backbone of this forum!

Aside from a few one off events Neal has pretty much stuck to his guns in not returning to SB.  in a way i respect that but a new Album with the classic lineup?  i'm iffy.  i fear Neal would bring too much of his solo touch toit nowadays.  if he could curb it a bit i'd be all for it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Kram on November 19, 2022, 10:55:59 AM
A new album with the classic lineup with Neal and Nick would be great - but I'd still want Ted to be involved as well.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 19, 2022, 11:03:34 AM
A new album with the classic lineup with Neal and Nick would be great - but I'd still want Ted to be involved as well.

As much as I’d love to see Neal come back, I’d be sad if we didn’t get another album with the Noise Floor lineup (though we did get something close on a couple tracks from Ryo’s new album). That’s just a great band all around.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on November 19, 2022, 11:51:17 AM
Every time I see this thread updated I check in to see if it's some news that Neal has come to his senses and there's going to be another Beard album with the classic lineup. I've never really understood why, after all this time, he's not gone back to it. As much as he's done worthwhile work since, SB is the best. Even TA doesn't touch it for me.

Also, the SB forum was great - and the backbone of this forum!

Maybe, unlike some fans, he's not living in the past? :P :P

Neal hasn't been a full time member in Spock's Beard now in two decades. I think it's time to get over it. :biggrin: :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 19, 2022, 12:14:29 PM
Every time I see this thread updated I check in to see if it's some news that Neal has come to his senses and there's going to be another Beard album with the classic lineup. I've never really understood why, after all this time, he's not gone back to it. As much as he's done worthwhile work since, SB is the best. Even TA doesn't touch it for me.

Also, the SB forum was great - and the backbone of this forum!

Maybe, unlike some fans, he's not living in the past? :P :P

Neal hasn't been a full time member in Spock's Beard now in two decades. I think it's time to get over it. :biggrin: :lol


rght, lol.  actually i don't think neal would fit in SB these days.  i'd just see him as one of these things does not belong.

he's been so entrenched in NMB it would just feel off to me....i dunno, lol


Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: RoeDent on November 19, 2022, 01:33:09 PM
100% time to get over it. And SB isn't really around anymore anyway. All about P-SA baby!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: DoctorAction on November 19, 2022, 04:14:57 PM
Every time I see this thread updated I check in to see if it's some news that Neal has come to his senses and there's going to be another Beard album with the classic lineup. I've never really understood why, after all this time, he's not gone back to it. As much as he's done worthwhile work since, SB is the best. Even TA doesn't touch it for me.

Also, the SB forum was great - and the backbone of this forum!

Maybe, unlike some fans, he's not living in the past? :P :P

Neal hasn't been a full time member in Spock's Beard now in two decades. I think it's time to get over it. :biggrin: :lol

 :lol

I am over it ... most days.  ;D

I don't think I've ever been as disappointed in the break up of a band, though.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on November 20, 2022, 07:08:38 AM


I don't think I've ever been as disappointed in the break up of a band, though.

It was a bummer at the time for sure, but it has turned out well for both camps.  Spock's did seven more albums, some of which were outstanding, and never released a dud even if the self-titled album was a bit dodgy, and Neal's output since leaving Spock's has been prolific on an almost Zappa level, so it's all good by me.  :coolio
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: jammindude on November 20, 2022, 09:33:19 AM
I never did fully accept SB without NM. I never even attempted an album until BNADS introduced Ted Leonard from Enchant and featured some input from Neal.  But even then I thought the results were not up to the standards of the first 6 albums.  I almost enjoyed TOP even more.

But honestly, I have been meaning to start with FE and just start doing a dive.  Maybe someone should do an album discussion thread?  :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 20, 2022, 10:28:25 AM


I don't think I've ever been as disappointed in the break up of a band, though.

It was a bummer at the time for sure, but it has turned out well for both camps.  Spock's did seven more albums, some of which were outstanding, and never released a dud even if the self-titled album was a bit dodgy, and Neal's output since leaving Spock's has been prolific on an almost Zappa level, so it's all good by me.  :coolio

The Nick era started weak and got better and better for me.

Feel Euphoria and Octane both bottom out my SB list.  The self titled  is inconsistent but it's on the right track.

X is glorious. and my third Fav Beard album overall. then Nick was gone, lol

Feel Euphoria and Octane were weird though.  they tried (and failed IMO) to become an odd hard rock/alt. outfit.  it just does not land with me.  Then Self titled kinda returned to what they're best at.  Granted it ain't perfect but it's better than what was attempted prior.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 20, 2022, 12:10:50 PM
I still think Feel Euphoria is pretty strong on the whole and has a lot of my favorite post-Neal material (The Bottom Line, Shining Star, Ghosts of Autumn, East of Eden West of Memphis, A Guy Named Sid). Octane was the one that threw me off Spock’s for a while (despite two of my favorites being on there in She Is Everything and Watching The Tide). I actually think the self-titled is mostly great and prefer it to X which has some major clunkers (The Emperor’s Clothes and Man Behind The Curtain especially) even if the highs may be higher than some of the other Nick era albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 22, 2022, 06:32:58 AM
I never did fully accept SB without NM.
I wouldn't go quite that far.  But SB post Neal isn't really SB.  It's a different, much inferior band, IMO.

The worst Morse-era SB album is miles and miles better than the best modern-era SB album, for my tastes.  It just doesn't hold up, at ALL.

But I'm glad that they still appeal to so many other people.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: bluefox4000 on November 22, 2022, 09:25:08 AM
I never did fully accept SB without NM.
I wouldn't go quite that far.  But SB post Neal isn't really SB.  It's a different, much inferior band, IMO.

The worst Morse-era SB album is miles and miles better than the best modern-era SB album, for my tastes.  It just doesn't hold up, at ALL.

But I'm glad that they still appeal to so many other people.


Brief noctournes and X hold up with anything they ever did for me.

but hey....different strokes.

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 22, 2022, 09:46:02 AM
I don't have the same affinity for the post-Neal albums that I do for those first 6 albums, but I still get a lot of mileage out of the post-Neal stuff, and I think they did a fairly remarkable job carrying on given that Neal was basically it in terms of writing those early albums.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Metro on November 22, 2022, 10:14:43 AM
Nick-Era SB has plenty of great songs, but I can’t think of one single album that I enjoy all the way through.
Ted-Era started strong with BNADS, but the other two albums do absolutely nothing for me.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on November 22, 2022, 02:07:31 PM
I consider X to be a great record, and I also like Octane a lot. Both would rank above half of the albums fronted by Neal on my list. Brief nocturnes and dreamless sleep is also fantastic and one of the top tier Spock's Beard albums overall. So yeah, plenty of stuff to enjoy post-Snow.  :tup
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Kwyjibo on November 23, 2022, 12:33:53 AM
V, X and Brief Nocturnes are my three favorite SB records, so there's one from every era.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: ytserush on November 27, 2022, 12:01:23 PM
I've been listening to a ton of SB lately.  To me in the Neal era the run from the Light to V is near unmatched in prog.

I didn't include Snow cause try as I might.......despite it's near universal acclaim......it does very little for me.

And X is as good as any Neal era record.  So is Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep while i'm at it.

This band and Flower Kings are two of my all time fav prog bands.

Never been a fan of Snow. Least favorite Spock's Beard album. Sounds very forced and tense to me. Always has.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: ytserush on November 27, 2022, 12:06:35 PM


I don't think I've ever been as disappointed in the break up of a band, though.

It was a bummer at the time for sure, but it has turned out well for both camps.  Spock's did seven more albums, some of which were outstanding, and never released a dud even if the self-titled album was a bit dodgy, and Neal's output since leaving Spock's has been prolific on an almost Zappa level, so it's all good by me.  :coolio

The Nick era started weak and got better and better for me.

Feel Euphoria and Octane both bottom out my SB list.  The self titled  is inconsistent but it's on the right track.

X is glorious. and my third Fav Beard album overall. then Nick was gone, lol

Feel Euphoria and Octane were weird though.  they tried (and failed IMO) to become an odd hard rock/alt. outfit.  it just does not land with me.  Then Self titled kinda returned to what they're best at.  Granted it ain't perfect but it's better than what was attempted prior.

Totally agree I think the self-titled album is my favorite of the Nick-fronted era. It's more of a zen-like album. They just let it happen organically.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: XeRocks81 on March 24, 2023, 04:19:19 PM
NDV playing through At The End Of The Day on his youtube channel.  What a classic,
a banger as the kids say:
https://youtu.be/SDjfUbSVSew
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 05, 2023, 09:58:39 AM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on June 05, 2023, 07:49:07 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on June 05, 2023, 08:12:25 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl
Puzzle,?

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

 :eek

At this point, SB is way past "done". Best case scenario, PSA becomes the main band for Ted and co.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on June 05, 2023, 08:13:40 PM
Wow, so they didn't even give Ted the courtesy of telling him before posting it to social media?  Oof, that is shitty.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 05, 2023, 08:14:48 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl
Puzzle,?

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

I could be wrong, but I think Ryo is the one handling their FB account.

I also wonder if Ted is not a full voting band member or something, since you’d think there might be some internal communications. Or it’s possible Ted is joking, as he is known to do.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on June 05, 2023, 08:38:30 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

I could be wrong, but I think Ryo is the one handling their FB account.

I also wonder if Ted is not a full voting band member or something, since you’d think there might be some internal communications. Or it’s possible Ted is joking, as he is known to do.

Maybe he's joking, but if I had to guess, it didn't seem like he was.

Either way, it's gotta be tough to be SB. Barely any touring in the last five years, no new studio album, and pretty much everyone else but Al has been busy with their own music or other bands, AFAIK.

I would not be surprised if they just announced that they're done, and that Ted and Dave should just focus their efforts on P-SA from here on out.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on June 06, 2023, 01:24:34 AM
Yeah, these guys are toast. Dave and Ted might as well to P-SA full time and bring those guys to Europe. I would love that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: twanky on June 06, 2023, 02:23:21 AM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

More likely the Shysters who run HRH Prog in the UK. I've had tickets for 2 of their festivals. Line up changes without notification, cancellations,venue changes and even changing the city wheer the festival is.... AVOID
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mosh on June 06, 2023, 12:32:35 PM
Pattern Seeking Animals is new to me, are they any good? What's a good album to start with? I liked Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep a lot but really disliked the other Ted Leonard-era Spocks (not because of him, I just don't think the writing has been good recently). So if their material is up to the standard of that first album he did with Spocks I would be up for checking it out. Kinda sad to see how much this band has declined since their heights with Neal Morse and even some really high-quality material afterward.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on June 06, 2023, 03:31:07 PM
Pattern Seeking Animals is new to me, are they any good? What's a good album to start with? I liked Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep a lot but really disliked the other Ted Leonard-era Spocks (not because of him, I just don't think the writing has been good recently). So if their material is up to the standard of that first album he did with Spocks I would be up for checking it out. Kinda sad to see how much this band has declined since their heights with Neal Morse and even some really high-quality material afterward.

My older brother is a big fan of everything PSA have done, but he is a much bigger fan of Ted's voice than I am (I like it, but I don't love it).  I thought Brief Nocturnes... was pretty awesome, while Noise Floor was good, but largely unmemorable.  The Oblivion Particle was weirdly enjoyable and quite good, but I just never think to listen to it anymore.  It sounds incredible, though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 06, 2023, 03:35:30 PM
Pattern Seeking Animals is new to me, are they any good? What's a good album to start with? I liked Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep a lot but really disliked the other Ted Leonard-era Spocks (not because of him, I just don't think the writing has been good recently). So if their material is up to the standard of that first album he did with Spocks I would be up for checking it out. Kinda sad to see how much this band has declined since their heights with Neal Morse and even some really high-quality material afterward.

My older brother is a big fan of everything PSA have done, but he is a much bigger fan of Ted's voice than I am (I like it, but I don't love it).  I thought Brief Nocturnes... was pretty awesome, while Noise Floor was good, but largely unmemorable.  The Oblivion Particle was weirdly enjoyable and quite good, but I just never think to listen to it anymore.  It sounds incredible, though.

The Oblivion Particle sounds TOO LOUD to me. Just gives me ear fatigue. Has some decent songs, but is the least memorable of the Ted albums for me. Noise Floor is awesome though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Kwyjibo on June 06, 2023, 10:04:39 PM
Pattern Seeking Animals is new to me, are they any good? What's a good album to start with? I liked Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep a lot but really disliked the other Ted Leonard-era Spocks (not because of him, I just don't think the writing has been good recently). So if their material is up to the standard of that first album he did with Spocks I would be up for checking it out. Kinda sad to see how much this band has declined since their heights with Neal Morse and even some really high-quality material afterward.

If you want to check PSA out, I'd say start with Prehensile Tales, their second record, which is their best so far, imo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: DoctorAction on June 07, 2023, 12:20:31 AM
I need to go back to Noise Floor and give it another go.

I struggle a bit with Ted's voice, tbh. Never with Nick's (other than him not being Neal).

Shame about Spock's slowly fading out. They're the only other modern "prog" band I really care about apart from DT, I think. (Although, I'm probably forgetting someone really important that I love in there.)

My fantasy is still that Neal finally sees the error of his ways and we get the classic line-up back again.  ;D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 07, 2023, 08:19:10 AM
I need to go back to Noise Floor and give it another go.

I struggle a bit with Ted's voice, tbh. Never with Nick's (other than him not being Neal).

Shame about Spock's slowly fading out. They're the only other modern "prog" band I really care about apart from DT, I think. (Although, I'm probably forgetting someone really important that I love in there.)

My fantasy is still that Neal finally sees the error of his ways and we get the classic line-up back again.  ;D

I know we’ve gone over this many times before, but I do hope that before the end (whenever that is), they’ll consider a reunion tour or at least a show or two with Neal and Nick and the rest of the current members (or an album, but at least a farewell show would be cool to have on DVD).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: XeRocks81 on June 07, 2023, 08:26:02 AM
I guess Morsefest 2016 already serves this purpose but one last hurrah would be great.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 07, 2023, 08:29:33 AM
I guess Morsefest 2016 already serves this purpose but one last hurrah would be great.

Yeah, that might be the closest we get. Though it would be cool to get more of a full band retrospective with songs from all eras included.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: DoctorAction on June 07, 2023, 09:09:03 AM
I need to go back to Noise Floor and give it another go.

I struggle a bit with Ted's voice, tbh. Never with Nick's (other than him not being Neal).

Shame about Spock's slowly fading out. They're the only other modern "prog" band I really care about apart from DT, I think. (Although, I'm probably forgetting someone really important that I love in there.)

My fantasy is still that Neal finally sees the error of his ways and we get the classic line-up back again.  ;D

I know we’ve gone over this many times before, but I do hope that before the end (whenever that is), they’ll consider a reunion tour or at least a show or two with Neal and Nick and the rest of the current members (or an album, but at least a farewell show would be cool to have on DVD).

I'd love to see that.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on June 07, 2023, 10:23:18 AM
I admittedly didn't watch the whole thing, but from what I saw from the Snow performance at Morsefest, the band looked liked old friends from high school who met up years later and couldn't figure out what they had in common or what to talk about anymore.  Yeah, the music sounded good, and Neal was his usual energetic self, but I didn't sense any unity or camaraderie among the band.  I know it is hard for some fans to let go...but sometimes you just need to. :D
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 07, 2023, 10:26:45 AM
I admittedly didn't watch the whole thing, but from what I saw from the Snow performance at Morsefest, the band looked liked old friends from high school who met up years later and couldn't figure out what they had in common or what to talk about anymore.  Yeah, the music sounded good, and Neal was his usual energetic self, but I didn't sense any unity or camaraderie among the band.  I know it is hard for some fans to let go...but sometimes you just need to. :D

Huh, really? Everyone seemed so into it. Maybe a bit of everyone trying really hard not to mess up music they hadn't played together before, but I got choked up in places. Thought it was fantastic. 

I really don't think there is any animosity between the band and Neal (he's had all of them on his podcast except Ryo, has talked fondly of watching them playing on the Cruise to the Edge, etc.). Don't think there's really any animosity with each other within the band for the most part. I think Spock's is just such a hard venture for everyone to keep going given their ages, locations, and the general expense of operating a band as a hobby.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Nick on June 07, 2023, 02:00:35 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl
Puzzle,?

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

I could be wrong, but I think Ryo is the one handling their FB account.

I also wonder if Ted is not a full voting band member or something, since you’d think there might be some internal communications. Or it’s possible Ted is joking, as he is known to do.

Take this with a potential grain of salt as I had the discussion awhile back and things could have always changed.

I'm 95% sure Spock's Beard, as a corporate entity, are at this point Al, Dave, and Ryo. While publicly facing Ted and Mike are full-time members, logistically/financially they are compensated as hired guns.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 07, 2023, 02:13:23 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl
Puzzle,?

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

I could be wrong, but I think Ryo is the one handling their FB account.

I also wonder if Ted is not a full voting band member or something, since you’d think there might be some internal communications. Or it’s possible Ted is joking, as he is known to do.

Take this with a potential grain of salt as I had the discussion awhile back and things could have always changed.

I'm 95% sure Spock's Beard, as a corporate entity, are at this point Al, Dave, and Ryo. While publicly facing Ted and Mike are full-time members, logistically/financially they are compensated as hired guns.

Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me at all.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on June 07, 2023, 02:25:59 PM
This is a bummer. Spock’s Beard having to cancel their European tour because of being unable to play HRH Prog (which pulled the rug out from under BBT and other bands by rescheduling the festival last year. Guessing some similar shenanigans are involved here).

https://www.facebook.com/100047325602689/posts/pfbid02GxwGtuaDSX4XBaZ94gTAAH1ChL49Rv4QPxKLkmFoqKZVpjFQv2L6u7WbuQSY6zwel/?app=fbl
Puzzle,?

Ted replied to the SB Facebook post saying "Well, this is an odd way to find out."

Yikes...sad that he isn't kept in the loop. Is Al making all the business decisions for the band?

-Marc.

I could be wrong, but I think Ryo is the one handling their FB account.

I also wonder if Ted is not a full voting band member or something, since you’d think there might be some internal communications. Or it’s possible Ted is joking, as he is known to do.

Take this with a potential grain of salt as I had the discussion awhile back and things could have always changed.

I'm 95% sure Spock's Beard, as a corporate entity, are at this point Al, Dave, and Ryo. While publicly facing Ted and Mike are full-time members, logistically/financially they are compensated as hired guns.

This sounds about right, given that Nick was their drummer and took lead vocal duties, so when he left both positions, the remaining three members probably took business into their own hands and hired Ted and Jimmy (even eventually Mike) as hired guns.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on June 07, 2023, 02:59:02 PM
AFAIK, Mike was never even a "full time" member anyway, only a hired gun for touring. Ted would be the only real member who isn't involved with the business side of things for SB.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if they just called it a day, as they haven't done anything really for many years now. Unless they come up with a new album/tour or a Neal reunion, they're just finished imo.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on June 07, 2023, 03:15:58 PM
AFAIK, Mike was never even a "full time" member anyway, only a hired gun for touring. Ted would be the only real member who isn't involved with the business side of things for SB.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if they just called it a day, as they haven't done anything really for many years now. Unless they come up with a new album/tour or a Neal reunion, they're just finished imo.

I'm inclined to agree. If this were a situation like with TFK or PT, where the lead writer just put their band on hiatus (in Roine's case, twice for nearly five years at a time, and in Steven's, over a decade for PT), then I could see them taking time and coming back later, but SB hasn't had a singular lead writer since Neal, and even outsourced their writing to include members that aren't musicians in the band (not that there's anything wrong with that).

With Ted, Dave, and John Boegehold all focusing on P-SA, I don't see them "saving any material" for SB. And Ryo just put out a solo album last year, so he's been busy on his own stuff. Unless Al has 5 years worth of material saved up for a new album, I can't see them bringing the band back together anytime soon.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on June 07, 2023, 06:17:58 PM
I admittedly didn't watch the whole thing, but from what I saw from the Snow performance at Morsefest, the band looked liked old friends from high school who met up years later and couldn't figure out what they had in common or what to talk about anymore.  Yeah, the music sounded good, and Neal was his usual energetic self, but I didn't sense any unity or camaraderie among the band.  I know it is hard for some fans to let go...but sometimes you just need to. :D

Huh, really? Everyone seemed so into it. Maybe a bit of everyone trying really hard not to mess up music they hadn't played together before, but I got choked up in places. Thought it was fantastic. 

I really don't think there is any animosity between the band and Neal (he's had all of them on his podcast except Ryo, has talked fondly of watching them playing on the Cruise to the Edge, etc.). Don't think there's really any animosity with each other within the band for the most part. I think Spock's is just such a hard venture for everyone to keep going given their ages, locations, and the general expense of operating a band as a hobby.

Again, I didn't see all of it, so my impression of it was from what I did see, but if a full watching reveals something different, I will take your word for it. I definitely didn't see any resentment or animosity, and I don't think I was implying that either.


 I'm inclined to agree. If this were a situation like with TFK or PT, where the lead writer just put their band on hiatus (in Roine's case, twice for nearly five years at a time, and in Steven's, over a decade for PT), then I could see them taking time and coming back later, but SB hasn't had a singular lead writer since Neal, and even outsourced their writing to include members that aren't musicians in the band (not that there's anything wrong with that).

With Ted, Dave, and John Boegehold all focusing on P-SA, I don't see them "saving any material" for SB. And Ryo just put out a solo album last year, so he's been busy on his own stuff. Unless Al has 5 years worth of material saved up for a new album, I can't see them bringing the band back together anytime soon.

I think there are definitely some who would not agree with that.  Don't get me wrong, collaboration is a hallmark of music in the last 60+ years, but I know a lot of rock fans get on their high horse about "our guys write all their own music!"  I would actually argue that songwriting is in many ways a greater talent than playing a musical instrument.  Just about anyone with a decent amount of practice can play a musical instrument on at least a rudimentary level.  Not everyone can write a good song.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on June 07, 2023, 06:30:58 PM

 I'm inclined to agree. If this were a situation like with TFK or PT, where the lead writer just put their band on hiatus (in Roine's case, twice for nearly five years at a time, and in Steven's, over a decade for PT), then I could see them taking time and coming back later, but SB hasn't had a singular lead writer since Neal, and even outsourced their writing to include members that aren't musicians in the band (not that there's anything wrong with that).

With Ted, Dave, and John Boegehold all focusing on P-SA, I don't see them "saving any material" for SB. And Ryo just put out a solo album last year, so he's been busy on his own stuff. Unless Al has 5 years worth of material saved up for a new album, I can't see them bringing the band back together anytime soon.

I think there are definitely some who would not agree with that.  Don't get me wrong, collaboration is a hallmark of music in the last 60+ years, but I know a lot of rock fans get on their high horse about "our guys write all their own music!"  I would actually argue that songwriting is in many ways a greater talent than playing a musical instrument.  Just about anyone with a decent amount of practice can play a musical instrument on at least a rudimentary level.  Not everyone can write a good song.

I thought it was odd at first, seeing Stan and John in the writing credits beginning with Feel Euphoria, but it was still SB playing the songs, and at that point, it wasn't much different than them playing Neal's songs in the band when he wasn't with them anymore (granted, he wrote them while IN the band FOR the band). And most of those songs were co-written with members in the band anyway, at least during the NDV-era. It wasn't until BNADS that we saw songs solely by Ausmus and Boegehold.

Here's the songs written solely by John Boegehold:
"Something Very Strange
"Postcards From Perdition (Limited Edition Bonus Track)
"Bennett Built A Time Machine"
"Get Out While You Can"
"A Better Way To Fly"
"To Be Free Again"
"Disappear"
"What Becomes Of Me"
"Days We'll Remember" (Bonus Track)
"Bulletproof" (Bonus Track)
"Armageddon Nervous" (Bonus Track)

Eleven songs solely by Boegehold and four ended up as bonus tracks, so really only seven, and in the vast catalog of Post-Neal SB, that's not a lot.

And as for Stan Ausmus, only two songs were credited solely to him - "Tides Of Time" and "One So Wise", both of which are pretty great IMO, so not a big deal there.

I think when folks saw the writing credits for The Oblivion Particle and saw that over half of the album's 9 songs were credited solely to Boegehold, they probably already made up their minds about the music before even listening to it, which is a shame. It's not their best album, but it's a fun one IMO, especially songs like "Bennett", "A Better Way To Fly", and "To Be Free Again". I think consequently, the band took those criticisms to heart because of the four sole-written Boegehold songs for Nosie Floor, only one made it to the main album ("What Becomes Of Me"), while the other three were put on The Cutting Room Floor. I wonder how John felt about that, and if it was the impetus for him to start Pattern-Seeking Animals.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: 425 on June 07, 2023, 06:43:26 PM

 I'm inclined to agree. If this were a situation like with TFK or PT, where the lead writer just put their band on hiatus (in Roine's case, twice for nearly five years at a time, and in Steven's, over a decade for PT), then I could see them taking time and coming back later, but SB hasn't had a singular lead writer since Neal, and even outsourced their writing to include members that aren't musicians in the band (not that there's anything wrong with that).

With Ted, Dave, and John Boegehold all focusing on P-SA, I don't see them "saving any material" for SB. And Ryo just put out a solo album last year, so he's been busy on his own stuff. Unless Al has 5 years worth of material saved up for a new album, I can't see them bringing the band back together anytime soon.

I think there are definitely some who would not agree with that.  Don't get me wrong, collaboration is a hallmark of music in the last 60+ years, but I know a lot of rock fans get on their high horse about "our guys write all their own music!"  I would actually argue that songwriting is in many ways a greater talent than playing a musical instrument.  Just about anyone with a decent amount of practice can play a musical instrument on at least a rudimentary level.  Not everyone can write a good song.

I know this is a thing that a lot of rock fans care about, but I would contend that they're wrong in insisting on it. I get that a thing that they dislike, with good reason, is the situation where a record label has some people write a generic radio-friendly hit and then foists it on an artist. I also get that having the performer and the songwriter be one and the same can add an interesting quality to music videos or live shows, especially when you know the song has personal meaning to the performer.

But it's also the exception, not the rule, historically speaking. I've recently shared some prog that I listen to with a friend who knows a lot about the history of music, but is mainly focused on "classical" and jazz. And he finds it sort of odd that every single song I send him was written by at least some of the people performing it. Not odd in a looking-askance way, but just that this is a strange quirk of rock music. Those conversations have gotten me thinking that there's a case to be made that some people who would produce more good work if they either primarily focused on songwriting or primarily focused on mastering their instrument.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Kram on June 07, 2023, 06:54:06 PM
I admittedly didn't watch the whole thing, but from what I saw from the Snow performance at Morsefest, the band looked liked old friends from high school who met up years later and couldn't figure out what they had in common or what to talk about anymore.  Yeah, the music sounded good, and Neal was his usual energetic self, but I didn't sense any unity or camaraderie among the band.  I know it is hard for some fans to let go...but sometimes you just need to. :D

Huh, really? Everyone seemed so into it. Maybe a bit of everyone trying really hard not to mess up music they hadn't played together before, but I got choked up in places. Thought it was fantastic. 

I really don't think there is any animosity between the band and Neal (he's had all of them on his podcast except Ryo, has talked fondly of watching them playing on the Cruise to the Edge, etc.). Don't think there's really any animosity with each other within the band for the most part. I think Spock's is just such a hard venture for everyone to keep going given their ages, locations, and the general expense of operating a band as a hobby.

Again, I didn't see all of it, so my impression of it was from what I did see, but if a full watching reveals something different, I will take your word for it. I definitely didn't see any resentment or animosity, and I don't think I was implying that either.


 I'm inclined to agree. If this were a situation like with TFK or PT, where the lead writer just put their band on hiatus (in Roine's case, twice for nearly five years at a time, and in Steven's, over a decade for PT), then I could see them taking time and coming back later, but SB hasn't had a singular lead writer since Neal, and even outsourced their writing to include members that aren't musicians in the band (not that there's anything wrong with that).

With Ted, Dave, and John Boegehold all focusing on P-SA, I don't see them "saving any material" for SB. And Ryo just put out a solo album last year, so he's been busy on his own stuff. Unless Al has 5 years worth of material saved up for a new album, I can't see them bringing the band back together anytime soon.

I think there are definitely some who would not agree with that.  Don't get me wrong, collaboration is a hallmark of music in the last 60+ years, but I know a lot of rock fans get on their high horse about "our guys write all their own music!"  I would actually argue that songwriting is in many ways a greater talent than playing a musical instrument.  Just about anyone with a decent amount of practice can play a musical instrument on at least a rudimentary level.  Not everyone can write a good song.
100% agree!  This is why you and I, and so many other on this site are huge Neal Morse fans - his songwriting is extraordinary!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: XeRocks81 on June 07, 2023, 07:15:47 PM

 I'm inclined to agree. If this were a situation like with TFK or PT, where the lead writer just put their band on hiatus (in Roine's case, twice for nearly five years at a time, and in Steven's, over a decade for PT), then I could see them taking time and coming back later, but SB hasn't had a singular lead writer since Neal, and even outsourced their writing to include members that aren't musicians in the band (not that there's anything wrong with that).

With Ted, Dave, and John Boegehold all focusing on P-SA, I don't see them "saving any material" for SB. And Ryo just put out a solo album last year, so he's been busy on his own stuff. Unless Al has 5 years worth of material saved up for a new album, I can't see them bringing the band back together anytime soon.

I think there are definitely some who would not agree with that.  Don't get me wrong, collaboration is a hallmark of music in the last 60+ years, but I know a lot of rock fans get on their high horse about "our guys write all their own music!"  I would actually argue that songwriting is in many ways a greater talent than playing a musical instrument.  Just about anyone with a decent amount of practice can play a musical instrument on at least a rudimentary level.  Not everyone can write a good song.

I know this is a thing that a lot of rock fans care about, but I would contend that they're wrong in insisting on it. I get that a thing that they dislike, with good reason, is the situation where a record label has some people write a generic radio-friendly hit and then foists it on an artist. I also get that having the performer and the songwriter be one and the same can add an interesting quality to music videos or live shows, especially when you know the song has personal meaning to the performer.

But it's also the exception, not the rule, historically speaking. I've recently shared some prog that I listen to with a friend who knows a lot about the history of music, but is mainly focused on "classical" and jazz. And he finds it sort of odd that every single song I send him was written by at least some of the people performing it. Not odd in a looking-askance way, but just that this is a strange quirk of rock music. Those conversations have gotten me thinking that there's a case to be made that some people who would produce more good work if they either primarily focused on songwriting or primarily focused on mastering their instrument.

and a big reason rock bands choose that model as a default is because of the influence of, say it with me,  The Beatles lol!   They were an outlier early in their career performing their own material and even casual Beatles  fan know the story of how Lennon McCartney didn't think that would last and they'd be writing  mostly for other artists in a few years time.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 07, 2023, 07:46:30 PM
Prog rock in particular has a significant history of bands collaborating with outside writers, starting with Peter Sinfield writing for King Crimson as well as ELP. Then you had John Helmer with Marillion. It’s a different thing than in the pop context where you have outside writers fashioning hits and the performer just knocks it out.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on June 07, 2023, 08:25:54 PM


I know this is a thing that a lot of rock fans care about, but I would contend that they're wrong in insisting on it. I get that a thing that they dislike, with good reason, is the situation where a record label has some people write a generic radio-friendly hit and then foists it on an artist. I also get that having the performer and the songwriter be one and the same can add an interesting quality to music videos or live shows, especially when you know the song has personal meaning to the performer.



I think the performer and the songwriter being one and the same makes a song that much more powerful, especially if/when the lyrics are of a personal or intimate nature.  Neal Morse's spiritual journey is not something to which I can directly relate for example, but it feels very powerful when he is singing about it because I know that he is singing about his own personal journey.  If it turned out that he was singing about fiction or someone else's story, it would feel a lot less powerful.  Or take Roger Waters' lyrics about his father on The Wall.  When he sings, "...and that's how the high command took my daddy from me!" from When the Tigers Broke Free (featured in the film), it's goose bump-inducing for me because I know he is singing about his father whom he lost in World War II. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on June 09, 2023, 07:46:39 AM
Ryo responded to the post with Ted's comment on finding out about the cancellation on Facebook:

Quote
First things first:
Sorry about that Ted and mike

I definitely did not mean for you to find out about the tour being canceled via social media.

Here's some insight into what happened:

I tried very hard to keep this tour in play for the past year and half but I couldn’t make it happen despite my best efforts.

On our last tour with the Flower Kings in the UK and on the Mainland the cost of the tour Bus was 1000 Euro per day...but since Covid and the war in the Ukraine it went up to 2000 Euro per day. Additionally, the venues are paying less than last time (apparently people don’t go out to see live bands as much as before).

We started booking the tour when HRH offered us a spot. I tried to get a supporting band but couldn’t make it happen. Our 2 agencies, one in the UK and one in Europe, tried very hard to keep this tour moving forward but they simply couldn’t, the numbers didn't add up.

Then, our agency suggested we make an announcement, so Dave did but in the meantime 5 days ago I had major knee surgery in Japan and I was totally out of it so I couldn’t contribute to or clarify the announcement or follow through with notifying Ted and Mike.

Sorry for this, folks. I really wanted this tour to happen. I sincerely hope another opportunity will present itself next year and we can rock Europe and the UK again!

Ryo
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on June 09, 2023, 08:17:37 AM
Sounds more like a case of three old guys trying to run things on the fly, and they just weren’t thinking before putting it out. I do think Ryo still wants to make things happen, but it may just not be. He has two more solo albums on his deal with I/O, and maybe those will continue to be sources of de facto SB material along with PSA.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Orbert on June 09, 2023, 08:37:26 AM
So Ryo is basically the driving force now behind Spock's Beard, or it's been that way for a while now?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on June 09, 2023, 08:56:29 AM
That is quite the apology.

"Hey, guys, sorry about that, but I was in the hospital, so blame Dave!"

 :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on June 09, 2023, 10:45:21 AM
That is quite the apology.

"Hey, guys, sorry about that, but I was in the hospital, so blame Dave!"

 :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

"I just got surgery, so I kinda forgot to tell the other half of the band about this, no biggie" :rollin
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: ProfessorPeart on June 09, 2023, 11:05:51 AM
Honestly, it makes sense, as funny as it is. Al is too busy running his company, Dave has always seemed rather aloof and is there to play and not much else. So that leaves Ryo to try and guide the ship even though Al and Dave are the only original members left.

I just don't know that we'll see another album from them. My guess is Al is the issue. Everyone else is still heavily involved in making music where it has always been a more of a hobby for Al.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Cocopjojo on July 16, 2023, 07:13:56 PM
Has anyone ever wondered if Octane's "There Was a Time" is about Spock's time as a band? And the "her" in the song is either Neal or just their success in general?

Was listening to Octane again recently and the slower, more chill songs on the album are quite good. E.g. Of the Beauty of It All and She is Everything.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on July 16, 2023, 08:33:38 PM
Has anyone ever wondered if Octane's "There Was a Time" is about Spock's time as a band? And the "her" in the song is either Neal or just their success in general?

Was listening to Octane again recently and the slower, more chill songs on the album are quite good. E.g. Of the Beauty of It All and She is Everything.

Also, Watching the Tide is amazing. One of my favorite NDV vocal performances.

No idea if There Was a Time was in reference to the band or Neal. It was an Al Morse/Boegehold, and I’d guess Al was more the music side with John doing the lyrics, but it’s possible Al had input or wanted him to write a song on that topic. I’d lean towards it just being a general breakup type of song though.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Cocopjojo on July 16, 2023, 08:52:19 PM
Has anyone ever wondered if Octane's "There Was a Time" is about Spock's time as a band? And the "her" in the song is either Neal or just their success in general?

Was listening to Octane again recently and the slower, more chill songs on the album are quite good. E.g. Of the Beauty of It All and She is Everything.

Also, Watching the Tide is amazing. One of my favorite NDV vocal performances.

No idea if There Was a Time was in reference to the band or Neal. It was an Al Morse/Boegehold, and I’d guess Al was more the music side with John doing the lyrics, but it’s possible Al had input or wanted him to write a song on that topic. I’d lean towards it just being a general breakup type of song though.

Funny, I almost edited my post to mention that track too. Agreed, great track and incredible performance by Nick.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on July 17, 2023, 01:58:38 AM
I've always liked that song. Octane as a whole is really good, and the shorter, more concise songs are a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2023, 06:07:16 AM
I've always thought some of the lyrics on Feel Euphoria were about Neal's departure, especially since NDV apparently was not happy when Neal departed.  I remember his wife, Tiffany, posting on the Spock's Beard forum back then that Nick was pissed at Neal at the time for leaving, but they've obviously been all good for a while now, so Nick's anger must not have stuck.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Orbert on July 17, 2023, 07:37:07 AM
Why was Nick pissed?  I mean, other than in a "WTF, dude?" kind of way.  Neal's departure shocked everyone, including the rest of the band, I'm sure.  I suppose anger is one reaction when immense disappointment doesn't quite cover it.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2023, 07:40:49 AM
Why was Nick pissed?  I mean, other than in a "WTF, dude?" kind of way.  Neal's departure shocked everyone, including the rest of the band, I'm sure.  I suppose anger is one reaction when immense disappointment doesn't quite cover it.

I don't remember her elaborating too much, but I think the popular theory was that after how well V was received, Snow, which I remember going over extremely well with online prog rock fans, was poised to help them get bigger, and then Neal left and the album never even got a tour. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Orbert on July 17, 2023, 07:55:15 AM
I didn't even think about the fact that they didn't tour that album.  Yeah, that would suck, probably enough to be pissed about it.  Neal was obviously thinking only about himself at that time, not the fans or the rest of the band.  So, anger borne of disappointment.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on July 17, 2023, 08:09:08 AM
Neal discussed this with Dave Meros on his YouTube podcast a couple of years ago. Dave stated that Snow did so well in terms of sales that the band were confident they would in fact be the next Dream Theater. And then Neal left. It was such an odd timing for his departure, it's not unusual for all sort of emotions to come up in such a situation.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2023, 08:21:19 AM
I get being pissed, but without getting into Neal's specific reason, if someone wants to leave a job or a band, that is their right.  Neal's muse took him elsewhere and he wanted to follow it, and I cannot begrudge him that (no matter how much I may or may not believe in his specific reason).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Orbert on July 17, 2023, 08:44:24 AM
Yeah, I don't mean getting pissed at Neal; it's more like getting pissed about the situation itself.  Neal was well within his rights, but having the right to do something and it being the "right" thing to do are not always the same thing, especially when you've built something with other people and these others have come to depend on you.  Now that I think about, I can see being pissed at Neal.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2023, 09:01:48 AM
Yeah, I don't mean getting pissed at Neal; it's more like getting pissed about the situation itself.  Neal was well within his rights, but having the right to do something and it being the "right" thing to do are not always the same thing, especially when you've built something with other people and these others have come to depend on you.  Now that I think about, I can see being pissed at Neal.

Agreed.  I can see both sides of the coin.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on July 17, 2023, 09:04:42 AM
I returned to Neal's discussion on this with Dave. Dave now has a really nice, mature take on the events, and I have a feeling Nick feels the same nowadays as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3hOrlvo9hs - 57:34
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Orbert on July 17, 2023, 09:50:32 AM
The passage of time tends to mellow the emotions felt at the time.  These guys can now sit and laugh about things, which is great, but at the time I'm sure it was much more intense.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on July 17, 2023, 10:48:04 AM
Here’s an article about the making of Snow that goes into the band’s reaction to Neal’s departure (written by current BBT manage Nick Shilton funny enough):

https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-of-spocks-beard-and-snow

Quote
I went through nine months of emotional preparation, and I had God. They weren’t prepared; they just had to deal with what I laid on them. I’ve always felt really bad about that. Then they began their grieving process and all responded in different ways. Some were angry, and some on the night that I told them were encouraging, because I was crying and really upset.

Quote
Meros harbours no resentment regarding Morse’s departure. “Neal needed to make a clean break from his previous life and leaving Spock’s was one of the steps. We all still love Neal. He started this band and by leaving and just handing it to us we all had to step up as musicians and writers. He created the band and then gave it to us. So there’s a lot of gratitude. He did nothing with malice. If I did judge him, it would be positive – he followed his heart. That takes a lot of courage.

So yeah, Neal admits some of the guys were angry, but I think time has mostly healed that and probably the band carrying on without him successfully has been a big part of that. I know one thing that was mentioned in the band documentary on the “First Twenty Years” release was that Neal gave the band name and control of the trademarks to the other guys when he left, which helped them out a lot with continuing and prevented any sort of messy legal disputes.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2023, 02:09:16 PM
I didn't know that about the legal stuff, but I can't say I am surprised. Neal seems like a classy guy who would have wanted to make the transition as easy as possible for those guys given the circumstances, so I am not surprised at all that he relinquished control over all that.

Good interview, too, Mladen!   I only had time for the ending, but you can tell how much respect there is between Neal and Dave.  I also liked Dave pointing out how much fun they had back in the day; you can hear that in the music, and in fact for as much of Neal's music as I love post-SB (most of it!), I have said before that the fun kind of went out of his music for a while after he left Spock's.  Albums like One and ? were still tremendous, despite not having the strong fun factor that Spock's often had.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on July 17, 2023, 02:55:13 PM
I know this has been discussed enough through the years already, so I'm not saying anything new or too interesting, but given the current status of SB (mostly dead and apparently unable to move things around), I really really hope Neal feels the need to do something with them again and that they get Nick back, keep Ted, and make the best album they could ever make. No outside writers, just those 6 guys.

Surely Neal doesn't need this, he still has NMB, FC, his trio project and all the different aspects of his solo stuff to keep him busy for years to come, but I really think this band won't ever do anything else unless this happens at some point.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: DoctorAction on July 17, 2023, 04:14:05 PM
I know this has been discussed enough through the years already, so I'm not saying anything new or too interesting, but given the current status of SB (mostly dead and apparently unable to move things around), I really really hope Neal feels the need to do something with them again and that they get Nick back, keep Ted, and make the best album they could ever make. No outside writers, just those 6 guys.

Surely Neal doesn't need this, he still has NMB, FC, his trio project and all the different aspects of his solo stuff to keep him busy for years to come, but I really think this band won't ever do anything else unless this happens at some point.

So much this.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Cocopjojo on July 17, 2023, 04:57:47 PM
I know this has been discussed enough through the years already, so I'm not saying anything new or too interesting, but given the current status of SB (mostly dead and apparently unable to move things around), I really really hope Neal feels the need to do something with them again and that they get Nick back, keep Ted, and make the best album they could ever make. No outside writers, just those 6 guys.

Surely Neal doesn't need this, he still has NMB, FC, his trio project and all the different aspects of his solo stuff to keep him busy for years to come, but I really think this band won't ever do anything else unless this happens at some point.
I think it's a huge miss for Neal to be repeating Testimony 1 and 2 for Morsefest, rather than doing something with SB. Especially given the hugely positive response to Snow.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: KevShmev on July 17, 2023, 07:34:53 PM
Not like it matters because the new church is so small, but I just don't think Spock's is much of a draw, even at Morsefest.  I am sure Snow did well, because that was playing a Neal concept album that had never been played before, but I was there in 2018 when night 1 was Neal, Ted and Nick, the three Spock's singers doing a concert of mostly Spock's songs, and the place wasn't even close to being filled up. 
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on July 17, 2023, 07:38:56 PM
I do get the sense that there are more fans of Neal’s solo stuff than of his Spock’s Beard stuff, but some of that might just be how people around here feel. It has been over 20 years since he left Spock’s though, so I can imagine there’s less enthusiasm for that stuff among his current fans.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: 425 on July 18, 2023, 08:35:40 AM
I'm inclined to think that's just DTF. If you look at what people say in the online prog world more broadly, I see a lot more "his Spock's Beard stuff was great, his solo stuff is boring and too religious" than I do "he's gotten even better since leaving SB."

On the other hand, I wonder how much of a draw MP is, particularly to NMB stuff. It's really noticeable on some of Neal's releases of the late 00s/early 10s how prominent "featuring Mike Portnoy" is in the marketing.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: King Postwhore on July 18, 2023, 08:54:23 AM
I would disagree only to the extent that SB doesn't tour much because there is no demand while most of Neil's music has people showing up to live events. 

I thought the strongest album in the Nick era was X. There was a decline from Feel Euphoria though the self titled, then X was a fantastic album. I liked both obviously.  I'd just wish They'd still play live.  PSA is just ok to me.   
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on September 22, 2023, 07:07:13 AM
Quote
Legendary US progressive rockers Spock’s Beard are pleased to announce a special 20th anniversary edition of their ‘Feel Euphoria’ album, arriving on vinyl for the very first time on 24th November 2023. Pre-order now here: https://spocksbeard.lnk.to/FeelEuphoria-20thAnniversary

Dave Meros comments of this edition: “This is the first in a series of re-releases of the ‘Nick era’ Spock's Beard albums.  I hadn't listened to this album many years, and it was cool to hear how hard we rocked some of those songs, how unique it was compared to the typical prog rock album of the time, and how different it was from both what we had done in the past and what we were to do in the future.”

‘Feel Euphoria’, originally released in 2003, was a landmark album for the band, being their first without Neal Morse, and with Nick D’Virgilio as lead vocalist. It also demonstrated a more band approach to the song-writing.

This brand new gatefold 180g 2LP edition has been newly remastered especially for vinyl by Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, and includes the two bonus tracks from the original release as well as liner notes from each band member reflecting on the album.

LP1
Side A
Onomatopoeia 00:05:16
The Bottom Line 00:07:32
Feel Euphoria 00:07:20

Side B
Shining Star 00:04:04
East Of Eden, West Of Memphis 00:07:05
Ghosts Of Autumn 00:06:54

LP2:
Side C
A Guy Named Sid: Intro 00:03:00
Same Old Story 00:04:25
You Don't Know 00:03:11
Judge 00:03:20
Sid's Boys Choir 00:01:09
Change 00:05:18

Side D
Carry On 00:05:18
Moth Of Many Flames (Bonus track) 00:02:49
From The Messenger (Bonus track) 00:07:26

This reissue marks the first in a series of vinyl releases from this period of the bands existence. Look at for more in the future.

I don't really collect vinyl but I've got SB's 2nd-6th albums on vinyl so I might as well continue the collection, especially if they do the rest of the Nick-era albums.

Edit - picked up the blue vinyl from lasercd, only $39 after shipping.
https://www.lasercd.com/vinyl/feel-euphoria-2lp-blue-vinyl-preorder

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on September 22, 2023, 07:13:49 AM
Not a favorite album of mine by any means, but it's interesting that it is getting some recognition.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on September 22, 2023, 07:33:55 AM
Still think this might be the strongest of the Nick era albums (though I really like the self-titled too, and X has it’s virtues (but also it’s clunkers)).

The Bottom Line, Ghosts of Autumn, Shining Star, and East of Eden, West of Memphis are all great tunes, and A Guy Names Sid is an underrated epic. Love the drum work and sound throughout this album, and Nick is also great on vocals. I think you can sort of tell they are working with multiple writers and searching for their own sound without Neal, but that also makes it kind of an interesting listen.

Come to think of it, it’s an example of a song with the “wrong” opener as they could have just left Onomatopoeia off and opened with The Bottom Line.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on October 17, 2023, 07:14:27 AM
Well, the band keep attempting to play live shows, so they aren’t done altogether.

https://www.spocksbeard.com/?fbclid=IwAR2EtbT9imuOwru8xopMP-lO0luIAS_RH7EM5jm3t95Mq4sPkA_SXIaUEZo

Quote
Spock's Beard is totally over the top excited to announce our upcoming our our appearance at the 2024 Midwinter Prog Festival tour February 3, at the Tivoli in Utrech, Netherlands! We will be co-headlining with Pain of Salvation, with some really exciting support acts as well!


It has been wayyy too long, we can't wait to come rock your asses off! It's really going to happen this time you guys. We've had to cancel some shows due to circumstances beyond our control. So please let us assure you we wouldn't be announcing this if it wasn't locked in, we don't want to disappoint you again.


So get ready to step through The Doorway and into The Light on a Perfect Day, we are coming! Watch this space for more tour dates and other info, we'll be rocking you all very soon!

Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on October 17, 2023, 09:14:43 AM
After reading Ministro's interview with Ted, I wouldn't hold any hope SB does anything else besides play a few shows here and there.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: MinistroRaven on October 17, 2023, 07:04:15 PM
After reading Ministro's interview with Ted, I wouldn't hold any hope SB does anything else besides play a few shows here and there.

Yes, Ted made it clear that other than playing here and there the band is pretty much done
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on October 17, 2023, 07:08:04 PM
After reading Ministro's interview with Ted, I wouldn't hold any hope SB does anything else besides play a few shows here and there.

Yes, Ted made it clear that other than playing here and there the band is pretty much done

I missed the interview. Have a link?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: gzarruk on October 17, 2023, 08:01:43 PM
After reading Ministro's interview with Ted, I wouldn't hold any hope SB does anything else besides play a few shows here and there.

Yes, Ted made it clear that other than playing here and there the band is pretty much done

I missed the interview. Have a link?

Here you go! https://lotsofmuzik.com/ted-leonard-talks-music-inspiration-and-the-future-of-pattern-seeking-animals-spocks-beard-transatlantic-enchant-and-more-in-candid-interview/

At this point, if Neal doesn't approach the guys to return and make another album, I don't think there ever will be.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on October 17, 2023, 09:03:41 PM
After reading Ministro's interview with Ted, I wouldn't hold any hope SB does anything else besides play a few shows here and there.

Yes, Ted made it clear that other than playing here and there the band is pretty much done

I missed the interview. Have a link?

Here you go! https://lotsofmuzik.com/ted-leonard-talks-music-inspiration-and-the-future-of-pattern-seeking-animals-spocks-beard-transatlantic-enchant-and-more-in-candid-interview/

At this point, if Neal doesn't approach the guys to return and make another album, I don't think there ever will be.

Thanks! Yeah, I agree it would probably take Neal writing an album himself and convincing them to record it as SB, though it’s weird that they are able to tour together, and they all played on Ryo’s album recently. The stuff he said about how the band felt about Noise Floor is something he’s mentioned before, and I guess maybe there’s some creative differences there at this point. I’m definitely with Ted on that one though. I thought it was great!
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: XeRocks81 on October 17, 2023, 10:26:50 PM
After reading Ministro's interview with Ted, I wouldn't hold any hope SB does anything else besides play a few shows here and there.

Yes, Ted made it clear that other than playing here and there the band is pretty much done

I missed the interview. Have a link?

Here you go! https://lotsofmuzik.com/ted-leonard-talks-music-inspiration-and-the-future-of-pattern-seeking-animals-spocks-beard-transatlantic-enchant-and-more-in-candid-interview/

At this point, if Neal doesn't approach the guys to return and make another album, I don't think there ever will be.

Thanks! Yeah, I agree it would probably take Neal writing an album himself and convincing them to record it as SB, though it’s weird that they are able to tour together, and they all played on Ryo’s album recently. The stuff he said about how the band felt about Noise Floor is something he’s mentioned before, and I guess maybe there’s some creative differences there at this point. I’m definitely with Ted on that one though. I thought it was great!

Noise Floor was an odd period also because I happened to attend one of the very few gigs they did with NDV on drums around that time (one of them was in Quebec city).  And even though they clearly said Nick was NOT rejoining the band, that doing drums on the record and those gigs was just a one off,  Ted was really laying it on thick during the show as to how cool it was that he was there how much fans love him etc.  Feels like they tried real hard to get Nick come back during that time but obvs he doesn't want to.  Even though he'll talk about The Beard a lot on his youtube channel and spotlight songs... I dont quite get it but it is what it is.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Kwyjibo on October 18, 2023, 12:15:46 PM
I was of the impression that Spock's Beard more or less called it quits because they weren't really successful in the end. But reading this, seems there more to it, he talks about creative differences and tensions. I wonder what's really holding them back.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on October 18, 2023, 12:27:18 PM
It almost sounds like Ted didn’t really jive with someone, which I imagine would be Al since Ted is still in a band with Dave, and Ryo had him sing on his solo album. But I also think there was some tension with John Boeghold from a writing perspective, so maybe there just isn’t the will to reinvent the wheel if they were to part ways with anyone from the current configuration. It’s not like you can easily recruit a new singer with the band winding down at their age.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: XeRocks81 on October 18, 2023, 01:19:47 PM
maybe they could do a kind of « Farewell to The Beard » weekend event , in the US and europe, featuring everybody (Neal, Nick and Jimmy included) and properly say goodbye.   Maybe not morsefest but something similar.   Idk maybe that’s unrealistic
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mosh on October 18, 2023, 02:59:21 PM
I am actually a bit surprised that Neal Morse hasn't rejoined the band. For a while, it felt like things were moving in that direction. Neal was starting to move into more secular music directions with projects like Flying Colors and reviving old projects like Transatlantic. Even some of the solo albums, like Momentum and The Grand Experiment, had material that would have fit nicely in Spock's Beard. Then there were the little one off reunions and writing sessions that culminated in the live performance of Snow. It all just seemed to make sense that the logical step forward for both artists would be at least a final Neal Morse fronted album and a mini tour of some sort.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 16, 2023, 01:33:21 PM
Haven’t watched this yet, but posting sort of as a reminder to come back to it when I have time. Prog Report interview with the Feel Euphoria lineup of SB for the vinyl reissue.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qXbUjTRZRZw
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: hefdaddy42 on November 17, 2023, 09:07:12 AM
I saw on Facebook this morning that SB is doing a small European tour.  So I guess they aren't dead yet.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: MinistroRaven on November 17, 2023, 01:33:31 PM
I saw on Facebook this morning that SB is doing a small European tour.  So I guess they aren't dead yet.

That's what ted said, they'll be doing some shows here and there, but as far as a new album, it's possible that won't be happening.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on November 19, 2023, 09:55:29 AM
I wanted to revisit Feel euphoria given its anniversary and the buzz around the vinyl release, but I instead decided to play Octane. I've always loved Octane and felt like it was underappreciated. Hopefully when it gets released on vinyl as well two years from now people reevaluate it. Great stuff.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: DTA on November 19, 2023, 11:05:20 AM
Octane is great. There Was A Time might be one of the catchiest songs in their entire catalog and the mood of She Is Everything is fantastic.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on November 19, 2023, 01:03:45 PM
Octane has three songs that I love (She Is Everything, Watching the Tide, and There Was a Time) and not a ton else that really sticks for me. As Long As We Ride is kind of fun too I guess.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Mladen on November 19, 2023, 02:00:38 PM
That suite is just as good as The Healing colors of sound and The Great nothing, if not even better. And then there are some amazingly catchy short tunes towards the end. A couple of rockers as well.  :metal
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Fritzinger on November 21, 2023, 05:02:29 AM
I read somewhere that Feel Euphoria is the first of a number of re-releases in the SB catalog - I'm guessing they will re-release Octane and SB9 next. I hope, all the Octane bonus tracks will be included since there were some real good tunes on the second disk.

The NDV era of SB was when I got to know the band and I'm looking forward to these releases. I feel like they haven't gotten the appreciation they deserve when they were released (and I honestly thought they would never be re-released because of that).
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: XeRocks81 on November 30, 2023, 02:57:37 PM
NDV doing Onomatopoeia on his youtube channel: https://youtu.be/oztVfr1GW4g?si=yTEtImx3clg2pvK2
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on January 09, 2024, 06:24:15 AM
https://jimmykeegan.bandcamp.com/album/jimmy-keegan?fbclid=IwAR0AFbqGzMynmwaS813tBOTD304esiOQMJt6DSo3ToHt9_BnrMZWbJiGV2c

Jimmy Keegan is releasing a solo album on March 1st, with some special guests including Michael Sadler, Dave Meros, Eric Dover, Ted Leonard, Ryo Okumoto, Otmaro Ruiz, Jennifer Jo Oberle and Randy Jacobs. 

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on January 09, 2024, 07:57:41 AM
Speaking of Jimmy, I was listening to Waiting For Me last night, and man is it a great track. Jimmy’s drums sound really good, and they especially stood out to me. Also love those guitar solos. One of the best Ted era tracks for sure.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: MinistroRaven on January 10, 2024, 04:15:02 PM
https://jimmykeegan.bandcamp.com/album/jimmy-keegan?fbclid=IwAR0AFbqGzMynmwaS813tBOTD304esiOQMJt6DSo3ToHt9_BnrMZWbJiGV2c

Jimmy Keegan is releasing a solo album on March 1st, with some special guests including Michael Sadler, Dave Meros, Eric Dover, Ted Leonard, Ryo Okumoto, Otmaro Ruiz, Jennifer Jo Oberle and Randy Jacobs. 

-Marc.

I have the FLAC file of this album available for REVIEW
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on February 02, 2024, 07:43:14 PM
https://www.discogs.com/release/29664670-Alan-Morse-Far-And-Away?fbclid=IwAR1aM-Qa3y7QO3vh9-hdJXr_zRPqJOdWKRQj6EIXyS6geFxuAAfyJb9hhVw

Seems like Alan is selling his new solo album on their current tour. Only as digital downloads so far so I'm hoping for a CD, but if not, maybe his bandcamp page will have it up soon enough.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on February 02, 2024, 07:55:17 PM
Just saw that and followed him on Bandcamp, but there was nothing but a profile page? Can it actually be downloaded now?
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on February 02, 2024, 08:16:22 PM
Just saw that and followed him on Bandcamp, but there was nothing but a profile page? Can it actually be downloaded now?

Only if you buy the card at one of their concerts to get the code, or get someone you know to get it for you.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on February 02, 2024, 08:25:56 PM
Just saw that and followed him on Bandcamp, but there was nothing but a profile page? Can it actually be downloaded now?

Only if you buy the card at one of their concerts to get the code, or get someone you know to get it for you.

-Marc.

Ah, that makes more sense. Hopefully once the tour is over it gets a full release.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: Cocopjojo on February 03, 2024, 08:15:56 PM
Just saw that and followed him on Bandcamp, but there was nothing but a profile page? Can it actually be downloaded now?

Only if you buy the card at one of their concerts to get the code, or get someone you know to get it for you.

-Marc.
Why would he do it this way? Not a rhetorical question, I'm really wondering what the reason is.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on February 03, 2024, 08:36:06 PM
Just saw that and followed him on Bandcamp, but there was nothing but a profile page? Can it actually be downloaded now?

Only if you buy the card at one of their concerts to get the code, or get someone you know to get it for you.

-Marc.
Why would he do it this way? Not a rhetorical question, I'm really wondering what the reason is.

Probably not enough money to fund the production of CDs or vinyls at the moment. Hopefully if the album download cards (which are apparently 12" and LP sleeve sized) sell well at their current shows, maybe he'll consider a physical release. At any rate, I think he'll put it up on his bandcamp page after the tour.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on February 03, 2024, 08:50:12 PM
Pretty great multi-camera shot of Go The Way You Go from London.

https://youtu.be/vcF5LDBVUMo?si=tsVCZ-kzMqKL0rf7

Looks like there are some other songs from this show by this guy too.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on March 11, 2024, 09:10:35 AM
Neal Morse just shared a video of him performing June with Ryo’s band on cruise to the end, which included Al but unfortunately didn’t include Nick (who was snorkeling according to Neal!).

https://www.facebook.com/100044525675682/posts/pfbid0AhyJ6Msf3krDbhkmDmF2urJMuhYyhQMqWtprhfarUKdf1zaP1XQqoFQXk5yoRX88l/
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: goo-goo on March 11, 2024, 05:27:51 PM
So I contributed to Jimmy's campaign around 2015 (Indiegogo) for a signed CD of his solo album. Well, I had totally forgot about it but I got the CD in the mail.

It's also available in streaming services and Bandcamp
https://jimmykeegan.bandcamp.com/album/jimmy-keegan

Haven't listened to it but I will in the next few days.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: The Letter M on March 11, 2024, 05:59:33 PM
So I contributed to Jimmy's campaign around 2015 (Indiegogo) for a signed CD of his solo album. Well, I had totally forgot about it but I got the CD in the mail.

It's also available in streaming services and Bandcamp
https://jimmykeegan.bandcamp.com/album/jimmy-keegan

Haven't listened to it but I will in the next few days.

I ordered a copy off Bandcamp last month and finally got around to listening to it over the weekend. Gave it one good spin and quite enjoyed it, but I've been neck-deep in BBT music for awhile so I'm probably not going to give it another spin for a bit, but I did like what I heard.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Spock's Beard Discography thread
Post by: HOF on March 14, 2024, 10:43:49 PM
Nick got together later with Ryo and Al to do "Carrie" during the cruise. Still one of my favorite vocal performances by Nick (or anyone!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn3nXri0u3o