Spock's Beard Discography thread

[HOF]

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.

[devieira73]

With just 2 listens, I think this album is truly amazing!

[ProfessorPeart]

Mine arrives today. Hope to listen to it later on.

[DTwwbwMP]

With just 2 listens, I think this album is truly amazing!

AGREE

[DTwwbwMP]

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!

[ProfessorPeart]

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.

[HOF]

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.

[gzarruk]

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.

[ProfessorPeart]

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. 

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.

[gzarruk]

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.

[The Letter M]

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.

[HOF]

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).

[King Postwhore]

Man is the song, "Chrysalis" stunning.  Worth purchasing the album for that song.

[HOF]

Man is the song, "Chrysalis" stunning.  Worth purchasing the album for that song.

Yep. It’s really great.

[The Letter M]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

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.

[devieira73]

Really good they made it clear. 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.

[gzarruk]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

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

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.

[The Letter M]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

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

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.

[gzarruk]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/spocksbeard/permalink/5259994080781765/

In a post from someone asking about the canceled SB tour, Jimmy replied:

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

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

[The Letter M]

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.

[HOF]

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.

[The Letter M]

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.

[HOF]

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.

[The Letter M]

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.

[HOF]

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.

[SoundscapeMN]

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.

[HOF]

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.).

[Kwyjibo]

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?

[HOF]

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.

[gzarruk]

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

[The Letter M]

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.

[MinistroRaven]

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

[HOF]

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!

[hefdaddy42]

Modified the thread title since 2018 was a long time ago.

[OpenYourEyes311]

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.