I’ve always liked what I’ve heard of Spock’s Beard without going into the matter too deeply. It’s hardly as if there’s a shortage of material. Approaching 20 years of existence, the band has released 10 recorded albums and numerous DVDs and live works. My impression has been of a technically gifted band with leanings towards Genesis and Yes who can take you quietly into a world of dreamy and melodic Progressive Rock. My theory is now put to the test, as I have just short of 2 hours of live performance to comment upon.
About 75 minutes of this release comprises tracks from the 2010 “X” album, as the title suggests. The rest consists of tracks of previous albums going back the 1996 work “Beware of Darkness”. A Spock’s Beard devotee may feel the need to have this in order to complete their collection or as a souvenir but I can’t see the point. From my point of view, this is a nice résumé, albeit most of it comes from one album. Many moons ago, the fact that it is a live album would have meant inferior sound quality but not now, and in fact the instrumentals and vocals are as distinct and expansive as you would hope for and indeed more so than the recorded sections of “X” that I have heard.
I can confirm that Spock’s Beard play easy-listening Prog, so much so that a couple of times I found myself unable to remember what I’d been listening to for the previous 5 minutes. For sure it’s smoother than other Progsters but personally I prefer this to Dream Theater of whom many Prog fans speak in hushed tones. Dream Theater’s shapes are more defined and, for me, so pretentious that their music can be hard to listen to. Not so Spock’s Beard. Their progressions are more gentle. They take their time, the songs are good, the instrumentals are excellent and the lyrics are interesting. Sometimes they are delightfully eccentric. It could be argued that they are a senior US version of Porcupine Tree or Riverside.
Although there were occasional moments of blandness on “X”, there are equally moments of unrivalled brilliance. “Edge of the In-Between” opens up the set, and there’s a decidedly pop feel with the funky rhythm of Hall and Oates’s “Kiss on My List” in evidence. If that doesn’t sound so great, this rhythm is the backdrop for a developing mood. It’s slick but not wimpy at all. The pop structure develops and progresses like a powerful story with funky guitar sounds, colourful keyboard work, delicate touches and strong, emotionally-charged vocals. The quirky “The Emperor’s Clothes” takes us into a different sphere. The off beat symphonic sound is reminiscent of The Beatles’s “Strawberry Fields Forever” while the odd harmonies and jazz piano solo complete this interesting and strange track. Haken do it now, but Spock’s Beard got here first. The 17 minute “From the Darkness” takes through a series of moods but I preferred “The Quiet House”. It has the rays of heart-warming sunshine music. The harmonies are magnificent and flow with the music. The instrumentals are typically rich and funky, generating a smooth build-up and capturing the listener’s imagination. Throughout keyboardist Ryo Okumoto takes frequent opportunities to transport us away into other worlds and with the guitar section remind us of a bygone Psychedelic Rock era. The excitement returns with “Jaws of Heaven”, another 17 minute epic. Sophisticated and groovy guitar work and delicate keys are just part of this engagingly gentle and developing track, which progresses like a train passing undisturbed through the night. “Jaws of Heaven” is full of subtlety.
Progressive music and live performances can both be characterised by self-indulgence and so it is here. The second part of this album starts with an extended drum solo, but for me the delight lay in the discovery that Spock’s Beard’s imagination can be as fertile in their early works as on “X”. “Thoughts” off the 1996 album “Beware of Darkness” is gently eccentric. The duetted harmonies are unusual and of the highest quality as ever. There’s a real sense of climax and fun. Mr Okumoto has his moment again on “Ryo’s Solo”. Distorted and imaginative with classical piano work entering proceedings, the image is conjured up of an old fashioned movie set. This leads into “The Doorway”, another track from “Beware of Darkness”. Keyboards are again at the forefront with a piano solo to start, giving way to a 70s style piece of Prog, featuring the synthesiser and subtle acoustic arrangements. As ever, the vocals are crystal clear and put an indelible stamp on this beautifully structured track.
Having listened to this work, I can understand both why I always knew I liked Spock’s Beard but yet didn’t go out and listen to more of their work. It’s very pleasant and inoffensive. This double album gives off a warm feeling. There’s never anything bad but while there are long sections of genius, there’s not universal greatness either. What I got out of listening to it was the determination to check the band’s back catalogue. “The X Tour live” is a very good introduction to the works of Spock’s Beard. Without doubt it would be a nice album to have in one’s collection.
http://www.spocksbeard.com
Andrew Doherty
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