BEWARE OF DARKNESS

Beware of Darkness was Spock's Beard's second studio album, released a year after their masterpiece debut The Light. On this album, Japanese keyboardist Ryo Okumoto makes his debut with the band. This time the Beard include a few shorter tunes interspersed among some longer tracks. Thoughts is a clear nod of respect to Gentle Giant, a band that apparently had a lot of influence on Neal Morse. Waste Away is probably Spock's Beard's attempt to make it to radio. Since I rarely listened to the radio after the 1980s, I haven't a clue if the band ever had any success with this song, though it makes an exceptional AOR single, much better than the garbage what was finding its way onto MTV.

The key songs on this album, as they are with most Spock's Beard albums, are the longer tracks. These include the beautifully piano-laden The Doorway, the powerful Walking on the Wind, and the amazing Time Has Come which is on level with the best tracks from their debut album.

Again, Spock's Beard combine odd lyrics, extremely skillful playing, beautiful melodies and hooks, delightfully complex time signatures, and that raw energy that is the staple of their music. Again, apparent influences include Gentle Giant, Yes, Genesis, and Kansas and like their debut the keys are focused primarily on organ and Mellotron.

Beware of Darkness is not as good as The Light, but it's still a masterpiece to my ears. Easily another five star entry for this incredible American symphonic prog act. Highly recommended.