Spock's Beard - Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep (Inside Out Records)
Slowly closing on the best album of 2013, on number 2 we find the best SB album after the departure of Neal Morse. This is also the first album since the departure of Drummer/Singer Nick D'Virgilio . How will newcomer Ted Leonard (Enchant) be able to follow in the footsteps of two exceptional prog vocalists? (Morse and D'Virgilio)?
The piano introduction, the guitar and the keyboard melody that follows in "Hiding Out", which opens the disc, could not be a better reassurance that «The more things change, the more they stay the same» . The melodies are here, the prog is here, the catchy chorus is here ... Spock's Beard are (still) here! And while the groovy "I Know Your Secret" is reminiscent of the first albums after Neal Morse departed, "A Treasure Abandoned" erases any doubt that the band has become a better and tighter group in the absence of D'Virgilio! The mid-tempo and more emotional "Submerged" is where Leonard truly shows the capabilities of his voice, while "Afterthoughts", is another extremely enjoyable venture. Breaking the cliché that the penultimate track of a record is usually the worst of it, "Something Very Strange" is the crowning jewel of "Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep". Epic sound, impressive melodies, another EXTREMELY catchy chorus and excellent background vocal tracks."Waiting For Me", which closes the album is what could be defined as a "classic Beard» song (co-written by Neal Morse!).
Overall the record remains very prog at its roots but also melodic and catchy.
Truly their best work since Neal's' departure and a banging way to start a new era for the band. Their follow up was also excellent and has been included in the top list for 2015. An essential record for all prog fans.
97/100
Below is the music video for Submerged
The piano introduction, the guitar and the keyboard melody that follows in "Hiding Out", which opens the disc, could not be a better reassurance that «The more things change, the more they stay the same» . The melodies are here, the prog is here, the catchy chorus is here ... Spock's Beard are (still) here! And while the groovy "I Know Your Secret" is reminiscent of the first albums after Neal Morse departed, "A Treasure Abandoned" erases any doubt that the band has become a better and tighter group in the absence of D'Virgilio! The mid-tempo and more emotional "Submerged" is where Leonard truly shows the capabilities of his voice, while "Afterthoughts", is another extremely enjoyable venture. Breaking the cliché that the penultimate track of a record is usually the worst of it, "Something Very Strange" is the crowning jewel of "Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep". Epic sound, impressive melodies, another EXTREMELY catchy chorus and excellent background vocal tracks."Waiting For Me", which closes the album is what could be defined as a "classic Beard» song (co-written by Neal Morse!).
Overall the record remains very prog at its roots but also melodic and catchy.
Truly their best work since Neal's' departure and a banging way to start a new era for the band. Their follow up was also excellent and has been included in the top list for 2015. An essential record for all prog fans.
97/100
Below is the music video for Submerged
No comments:
Post a Comment