Spock’s Beard

Feel Euphoria

So soon a new album by Spock’s Beard. I guess that after Neal Morse’s departure right after the release of Snow they felt they had to show the world they were alive and well.

They certainly have done at least that.

Drummer Nick D’Virgille has taken over the lead vocalist position, while continuing to play drums. Hmmm. Let’s see now; a band’s lead vocalist leaves and is replaced on vocals by the drummer. They release, very soon after, a new album that is great and shows that they can exist in the new format. A good thing Nick’s family name is D’Virgille and not Collins. But one can’t help drawing parallels.

However, the feel I had last year from my conversation with Nick and guitarist Alan Morse was that they won’t become a pop band. Good for us.

Spock’s Beard can indeed function quite well without Neal Morse. I don’t want to give the impression that he wasn’t important to the band, but this is one great album!

Part of it is a concept: A Guy Named Sid, while the rest is straight up regular CD. It’s good, it’s even impressive. I think that it’s better than Snow in that it draws you in right away. I’ve heard others call it the best Spock’s album yet and I’m not sure I disagree with them; it’s one great album.

So, to find out how a band survives the departure of it’s lead singer and frontman, get this one. You might make other Genesis parallels…

Snow

Spock’s latest effort is a double concept album. And their last album with frontman/co-founder Neal Morse.

Shortly after completing the album, Neil decided to take a hiatus of the whole music business; I’m assuming this also means that Transatlantic won’t be going on. I’ll let you know in the near future as I will be meeting with the Flower Kings and will ask Roine Stolt about it. I had a chance to speak to Neil a couple of years ago: he will be sorely missed. Neil is a great guy, exuding confidence, and he always had the time to talk to people.

Fear not however, after Neil left I spoke to his brother Alan who confirmed that the band will go on. Great! Snow is a great album. Probably the best this band has ever made.

Snow is about a man whose skin is white as snow and possesses strange powers which lead him from a small town to New York City where he becomes a personality; liked by many, detested by those in power.

The subject is quite well treated as much lyrically as musically. The band is at its best. Even if you don’t know Spock’s, I still highly recommend this album. And yes; the band’s name is from that episode of Star Trek…