SPOCK'S BEARD

This is definitely the best post-Neal Morse album to date. Spock's Beard always had a somewhat playful, rather zany quality which worked beautifully for some folks, yet repelled others who saw the ocean of talent being "wasted" on "frivolous" progressive rock music. After Neal departed there was a hole in their sound, leaving a shadow of the band that turned out "V".

Well, I'd say the've just about filled in the gaps, although they are sounding a lot less like their original crazy selves and much more like the kind of serious, solid progressive rock band that many lamented they never were. Neal seems to have taken most of the zanyness with him. There is a more rock 'n roll sound to several of the tracks that flies right into your face on "Is This Love?" Nick does a great job as lead singer, easily filling Neal's shoes. The band's backup singing has improved as well. All of the familiar sounds that define the Beard are still here in full force, particularly in the later tracks.

The worst thing that can be said about this album is that some of the tracks just aren't much different from prog you've heard before, or for that matter from the other songs on the album. I wouldn't say they've realized their full potential yet, but they are certainly making progress, and there are a few pleasant surprises on this album. At the end of the day, they are doing just fine indeed.

(This hasn't been released, but I have friends at radio stations...)