Spock's Beard - X
 

Tacklist (Special Edition)

1. Edge Of The In-Between (10:30)
2. The Emperor's Clothes (6:01)
3. Kamikaze (4:15)
4. From The Darkness (16:53)
5. The Quiet House (9:13)
6. Their Names Escape Me (8:51)
7. The Man Behind The Curtain (7:44)
8. Jaws Of Heaven (16:22)

 

Spock's Beard's 10th studio album finds this band finally reaching and settling on a cohesive sound and style.  When the band announced several months ago that they were planning on releasing their 10th album "commando style" (Nick D'Virgillio's description) I have to admit that I was extremely skeptical of how the album would sound.  With their previous three albums having acheived only glimpses of their former majesty and brilliance, would they finally be able to put something out that would be good enough to pull them out from under the shadow of being "Neal Morse's former band?"  I had my doubts, especially after the spotty and somewhat lackluster 9th release, "Spock's Beard."

But with all of that said (or written, as it were) I am here to let you all know (all 6 of you that are reading my review, that is ) that Spock's Beard have remade themselves and even redeemed themselves with this spectacular piece of artistic music.  This reviewer is nothing short of stunned at the display of songcraft, musicianship and performances that are on display here on this album.  Spock's Beard, as many know, became "free agents" after the release of their previous album.  And "X" in many ways, will come across to fans of the genre as the album which marked a turning point in their careers.  I don't know if this album will launch them to the pinnacles of fame and fortune, but I know that the music on this album is very much deserving of such recognition and the bands that are putting out music of this quality in this day and age are few and far between. 

It is very rare that a band can produce an album of such quality and beauty at this stage in their careers, but as has happened with other bands who find themselves at a career crossroads, Spock's Beard have risen to the challenge and have released what is quite possibly the best album they have ever created, with or without the presense of Neal Morse. 

Nick D'Virgillio, who was castigated by many in the shadow of Neal's departure as a "wanna be" or a "poser" has proven, with this release, that he is a gifted vocalist with an uncanny ability to convey raw emotion in his voice, which moves deftly from the harsh and agressive tones in rockers like "The Quiet House" or "The Man Behind The Curtain" to the eerie and creepy tones in tunes like the very interesting "Their Names Escape Me" to the majestic and haunting as in the album's epic closer, "Jaws of Heaven."

Just when you thought that Spock's Beard could not pull another mind-blowing instrumental out of their hats, the Ryo Okumoto-penned "Kamikaze" is there to grab you by your jacket collar and dobe-slap you like a red-headed step child.  This incredible burst of energy, fantic instrumentation and soaring guitar riffs by an absolutely on fire Alan Morse will quiet any doubts that were lingering in the minds of the naysayers.  Spock's Beard is back, and they're back with a vengeance. 

This is the album that will define the Nick D'Virgillio-fronted era of the band.  And they've really set the bar very, very high for their next album, but they've also created a piece of art that, for this reviewer, makes it possible to believe that they can achieve anything if they really want to.

4.5 Nostrils