X

In recent years I've gained some interest in modern prog by buying some recent vinyl releases of Kaipa, Pendragon, IQ, Galahad and The Flower Kings. Exploring an album by Spock's Beard felt like a logical next step. I must admit; this album sums up all negative ideas I had about modern prog. To poppy, to focused on canonical exploitation and without an own unique vibe or some personality in the performances. Luckily the album gets slightly better after its false start; there are few songs as unappealing as the uneventful sympho-pop and Blue Oyster Cult imitation 'Edge of the In-Between'. The album shows endless hints to the progressive styles of bands like Kansas, Pink Floyd (even 'Atom Heart Mother'), Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant and some prog-related groups, without ever capturing some these original recording's main strengths. The overal impact of the record is that of a band playing on the background, whereas my few experiences with early Spock's Beard music is that of being at least impressed by its frontal imminent impact. An atmospheric neo-prog type song like 'The Man Behind the Curtain' starts of just right and then gets sloppy with weak refrains and out of place bridges with Beatles influences, poppy symphonic rock clich's and gutless Yes-imitations. Spock's Beard 'X' is a record full of musical and production talent, but it takes more than talent to make a piece of art.