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| NDV (Nick D'Virgilio) - Karma |
 Released: 2001 Label: InsideOut Music America Cat. No.: IOMACD 2026 Total Time: 64:26 | |
Reviewed by: Eric Porter, April 2002 Karma is the first solo release from Spock's Beard drummer Nick D'Virgilio (hence NDV). D'Virgilio plays a variety of instruments along with percussion and vocals. Three tracks feature Nick playing everything, doing a Todd Rundgren for us. A talented supporting cast including Mike Keneally (Beer for Dolphins/Zappa), Kevin Gilbert and fellow beardmates Alan Morse and Ryo Okumoto lend a hand. The late Kevin Gilbert contributed piano and guitar as well as having co-written "The Game". D'Virgilio has played on Gilberts solo efforts, and Kevin worked with Spock's Beard early in their career. So after all of Nick's supporting roles he finally steps out on his own. Karma is aptly described as 10 cuts of progressive pop. The songs do have a musical punch that separates them from ordinary pop. I do not get the feeling that D'Virgilio felt trapped into putting out a progressive tour de force, as this is a song oriented disc. "Dream In Red" is a catchy tune, reminding me of Nik Kershaw (good call by John Bollenberg), especially in the vocals. Nick shows he can rock on the heavy guitar riffage of "Forgiven." "The River is Wide" settles into an Alice in Chains feel during the verses, after its acoustic guitar intro. What initially hit me about Spock's Beard are the great melodies, and "The Water's Edge" contains the ear-catching tune of the disc for me. The title track "Karma" features vocals and percussion exclusively, reminiscent of Todd Rundgren's "Acapella" release. D'Virgilio is impressive as lead vocalist, and my only criticism is that the songs don't have that lasting impression that many of Spock's Beards best tracks do. The closing "Paying The Price" is three songs loosely tied together to form one long piece of music. "II-Paid The Price" offers another dose of heavy guitar prior to Alan Morse interjecting bluesy licks in a slower mid-section. The final "III-Unknowing" opens with a funky groove and includes some excellent vocals. A prosperous time for Spock's Beard fans, as these guys churn out quality music, and lots of it. Hopefully the extracurricular activities of D'Virgilio and Morse do not effect the lifespan of The Beard, but rather provide them with a healthy outlet. [See also Bobo's, Keith's, Steph's and Marcelo's reviews -ed.]More about Karma: Track Listing: The River Is Wide (7:12) / Dream In Red (4:35) / Forgiven (3:09) / Karma (3:12) / The Game (4:07) / The Water’s Edge (6:29) / Come What May (5:11) / Untitled (3:26) / Will It Be Me (4:16) / Anything (3:55) 11- / Paying the Price / Dysfunction (4:32) / Paid the Price (5:45) I / Unknowing (8:45) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.ndvmusic.com Discography
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