SMPT:E

Without a doubt "All Of The Above" is the best Spock's Beard song ever recorded. Seriously though, Morse is all over this album which made me question the idea that this was a 4 person project. Still, I like what Spock's was doing at the time, and felt that the other 3 members of TA made enough difference in the overall sound and arrangment to make this a worthwhile album. And Stolts song, "My New World" is easily the second best thing on this album. So nothing terribly innovative on this album, but still quite good. As mentioned, first track AOTA is my favorite on the album, and I think the best thing this band ever did. Second track, We All Need Some Light, is pleasant enough, but fails to really rise to greatness. Still a good track though. Mystery Train seems like a reject from a Spock's album, and is easily my least favorite song on here. Not terrible, but not particularly good either. The live version is more interesting and a worked as a nice bridge into Strawberry Fields. Stolt's song is quite good, and not too much like the Flower Kings to seem like one of his songs for them (unlike Morse's songs on this album). The final track, a Procol Harem cover, is outstanding. I've never heard the original, but this a great prog/psychedelic track and a good ending to the album. I can't call this a masterpiece, as it doesn't really cover new ground musically. But I can say it is an excellent prog album. A solid 4 stars.