DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME

Recorded on the last tour in Holland, this CD is only marred by the fact that it is too short by far at under an hour, but I have been assured by the record company that this was due to a problem with the quality of the tapes. That aside, here is one of my very favourite bands on stage and as I play this I can again see them in my mind's eye, as they were that wonderful night at the LA2. In fact, this CD couldn't possibly match up to that experience as it is only from being there that I realise that so much of their gig is missing from the CD.

But, and it is a huge "but" indeed, what is contained on this CD is more than enough evidence that the Beard really are one of the best in the world at what they do. They are all superb musicians, and with great vocals and wonderful songs how can these guys do any wrong? Spock's Beard appear to be one of the very few modern 'prog' bands that have managed to find a place in the hearts of the traditionalists. I have been in love with their music since I first heard the original American release of their debut, and they just seem to be getting better and better. Many of the songs on this CD are from the latest album, but they also mix in some of the older stuff, and change songs so that the original is only a basis for them to play around.

Any one of these songs will make most modern prog bands want to pack up and go home. "Gibberish" has some of the best multi-part vocals that will ever be attempted by a modern rock band, while "Day For Night" is a perfect opener with its' bombastic singalong style. This CD caused me a lot of problems in the sense that all of the time I should have been listening to other material I kept justifying to myself that I ought to play it just one more time.

If you want progressive melodic rock at its' very best then it just can't get any better than this. At least, not until their next album...

Feedback #58, May 2000