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Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria

Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria
Released: 2003 (June Europe, July NA)
Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music America
Cat. No.: IOMCD126 / IOMA 2059
Total Time: 63:58

Reviewed by: Davide Guidone, July 2003
As I predicted in my review about Snow, Nick D’Virgilio replaces the departure of Neal Morse as frontman of Spock’s Beard

Surely there was a lot of waiting for this Feel Euphoria, many wanting to see the changes in the band. At a first listen, I think everyone will be a little bit worried, and maybe at the start it is so. I believe that everybody needs to give this a lot of listenings before passing judgement. At the beginning I was upset because I guess Feel Euphoria wasn’t good as the other Spock’s releases. Instead, it takes time to appreciate this record. In fact Feel Euphoria is a great album, with all characteristics of the other CDs made by the US band.

Nick fits perfectly as the new singer of the band. His voice isn’t excellent, but it permits the group to still make interesting music. Sometimes he tries to imitate Neal‘s voice and from time to time he reminds me of Ray Wilson. I think he isn’t perfect for the ballads that appear one more time on this effort, mixed with prog elements, as always.

If you notice it, Feel Euphoria hasn’t great news: it is a Spock’s Beard release as it can be anyone else. Sometimes the sound can be more aggressive or in a rockier vein, but they are rare cases. I have to say that Al Morse and Ryo Okumoto have much more space than before, and I note Al has a more aggressive and harder style in playing guitar, while Ryo plays synths for the first time with the Beard. The conclusion is that there are wonderful instrumental sections. Good job, Spock’s Beard.

Rating: 4/5

[See also Bobo's, John's, Clayton's, Keith's, Eric's, Steph's and Marcel's reviews -ed.]

More about Feel Euphoria:

Track Listing: Onomatopoeia (5:16) / The Bottom Line (7:33) / Feel Euphoria (7:20) / Shining Star (4:06) / East Of Eden, West Of Memphis (7:05) / Ghosts Of Autumn (6:53) / A Guy Named Sid : Intro (3:02) – Same Old Story (4:25) – You Don't Know (3:11) – Judge (3:20) – Sid's Boy Choir (1:09) – Change (5:16) / Carry On (5:20)

Musicians:
Nick d’Virgilio - vocals, drums, percussion, loops, acoustic and electric guitars
Ryo Okumoto - keyboards
Alan Morse - electric and acoustic guitars, vocals
Dave Meros – bass

Contact:

Website: www.spocksbeard.com
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

The Light (1995)
Beware of Darkness (1995)
The Beard Is Out There Live (1995) (cd/vid)
Official Live Bootleg (1996)
The Kindness of Strangers (1997)
From The Vault - 1995-1998 (1998)
Day For Night (1999)
Live At The Whiskey and NEARfest (1999)
Don't Try This At Home (2000)
V (2000)
Snow (2002)
Feel Euphoria (2003)

The Light - The Artwork Collector’s Series (2004)
Octane (2005)
Gluttons For Punishment (2005)

Don't Try This At Home & The Making Of V (2002) (DVD)

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© Copyright 2003 ProgressiveWorld.net/Davide Guidone

	Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria
	Released: 2003 (June Europe, July NA) Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music America Cat. No.: IOMCD126 / IOMA 2059 Total Time: 63:58
	Reviewed by: Davide Guidone, July 2003 As I predicted in my review about Snow, Nick D’Virgilio replaces the departure of Neal Morse as frontman of Spock’s Beard Surely there was a lot of waiting for this Feel Euphoria, many wanting to see the changes in the band. At a first listen, I think everyone will be a little bit worried, and maybe at the start it is so. I believe that everybody needs to give this a lot of listenings before passing judgement. At the beginning I was upset because I guess Feel Euphoria wasn’t good as the other Spock’s releases. Instead, it takes time to appreciate this record. In fact Feel Euphoria is a great album, with all characteristics of the other CDs made by the US band. Nick fits perfectly as the new singer of the band. His voice isn’t excellent, but it permits the group to still make interesting music. Sometimes he tries to imitate Neal‘s voice and from time to time he reminds me of Ray Wilson. I think he isn’t perfect for the ballads that appear one more time on this effort, mixed with prog elements, as always. If you notice it, Feel Euphoria hasn’t great news: it is a Spock’s Beard release as it can be anyone else. Sometimes the sound can be more aggressive or in a rockier vein, but they are rare cases. I have to say that Al Morse and Ryo Okumoto have much more space than before, and I note Al has a more aggressive and harder style in playing guitar, while Ryo plays synths for the first time with the Beard. The conclusion is that there are wonderful instrumental sections. Good job, Spock’s Beard. Rating: 4/5 [See also Bobo's, John's, Clayton's, Keith's, Eric's, Steph's and Marcel's reviews -ed.] More about Feel Euphoria: Track Listing: Onomatopoeia (5:16) / The Bottom Line (7:33) / Feel Euphoria (7:20) / Shining Star (4:06) / East Of Eden, West Of Memphis (7:05) / Ghosts Of Autumn (6:53) / A Guy Named Sid : Intro (3:02) – Same Old Story (4:25) – You Don't Know (3:11) – Judge (3:20) – Sid's Boy Choir (1:09) – Change (5:16) / Carry On (5:20) Musicians: Nick d’Virgilio - vocals, drums, percussion, loops, acoustic and electric guitars Ryo Okumoto - keyboards Alan Morse - electric and acoustic guitars, vocals Dave Meros – bass Contact: Website: www.spocksbeard.com Note: will open new browser window Discography The Light (1995) Beware of Darkness (1995) The Beard Is Out There Live (1995) (cd/vid) Official Live Bootleg (1996) The Kindness of Strangers (1997) From The Vault - 1995-1998 (1998) Day For Night (1999) Live At The Whiskey and NEARfest (1999) Don't Try This At Home (2000) V (2000) Snow (2002) Feel Euphoria (2003) The Light - The Artwork Collector’s Series (2004) Octane (2005) Gluttons For Punishment (2005) Don't Try This At Home & The Making Of V (2002) (DVD)
	[Review Index] [Home] [Top] © Copyright 2003 ProgressiveWorld.net/Davide Guidone