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Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria

Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria
Released: 2003
Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music America
Cat. No.: IOMCD126 / IOMA 2059
Total Time: 63:58

Reviewed by: Eric Porter, August 2003
No one can honestly expect Spock’s Beard not to change with the loss of Morse. Being the main songwriter alone makes that impossibility. We have all read the Genesis comparisons (The Lamb, Snow – double concept discs, the last with the original singers, drummers becoming front men), so lets not go there. D’Virgilio and Okumoto have both released solo recordings recently, so we know the other members do write. Now, can they carry on without their leader?

Let's look at some of the changes in the bands sound. The first noticeable change is that Alan Morse really is upfront here. Many of the songs are based around a guitar riff versus Neal’s synth or piano leads. The disc opens with the rocking “Onomatopoeia," a song with a hard edge and very catchy melody. The band wastes no time showing off the vocal harmonies in the quiet acoustic section and throws in some mellotron for the diehards. The song is a departure, sharing as much with alternative rock as it does with prog, but the song rocks, and I like that. That’s one thing I noticed, even songs that are a departure from the traditional Beard sound; still have a small stamp of the old.

The band's former identity makes itself apparent on many tracks. “The Bottom Line” made me think, maybe Neal is not that far away, this track carries a lot of traits of Neal’s writing. This is my favorite on the disc. The title track offers some good musical interludes, but I can't say that the entire track gels, it just never seems to get off the ground. “East Of Eden, West Of Memphis” has some really good vocals and Okumoto really steps out in the middle of this one for a great synth solo smothered in Mellotron. “Ghosts of Autumn” is a slow moody piece that I really enjoy, with a really emotional guitar solo from Alan.

The band also includes the epic “A Guy Named Sid”. I love the melody of “Same Old Story” section, and the vocal harmonies are used in a Beach Boys meets Spock’s Beard fashion in “Sid’s Boys Choir”. “Change” offers a dramatic ending to the piece and again back to the old “Spock” trademarks. Having purchased the limited edition disc, two bonus tracks also are included, but these are not “must have” tracks in my opinion.

Overall, the band shows a bit more edge, but retains the old Spock’s Beard identity to some degree. I must admit that I don’t find the material overall as strong as when Neal was writing, but it is still a good record with plenty of high points. Each member has contributed to the album, and all collaborated with outside writers. I give them credit for continuing on in the wake of Neal’s departure, and hope that things only get better for them.

[See also Bobo's, John's, Clayton's, Keith's, and Davide'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) / Bonus Tracks: Moth of Many Flames (2:49) / From The Messenger (7:27)

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)

	Spock's Beard - Feel Euphoria
	Released: 2003 Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music America Cat. No.: IOMCD126 / IOMA 2059 Total Time: 63:58
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, August 2003 No one can honestly expect Spock’s Beard not to change with the loss of Morse. Being the main songwriter alone makes that impossibility. We have all read the Genesis comparisons (The Lamb, Snow – double concept discs, the last with the original singers, drummers becoming front men), so lets not go there. D’Virgilio and Okumoto have both released solo recordings recently, so we know the other members do write. Now, can they carry on without their leader? Let's look at some of the changes in the bands sound. The first noticeable change is that Alan Morse really is upfront here. Many of the songs are based around a guitar riff versus Neal’s synth or piano leads. The disc opens with the rocking “Onomatopoeia," a song with a hard edge and very catchy melody. The band wastes no time showing off the vocal harmonies in the quiet acoustic section and throws in some mellotron for the diehards. The song is a departure, sharing as much with alternative rock as it does with prog, but the song rocks, and I like that. That’s one thing I noticed, even songs that are a departure from the traditional Beard sound; still have a small stamp of the old. The band's former identity makes itself apparent on many tracks. “The Bottom Line” made me think, maybe Neal is not that far away, this track carries a lot of traits of Neal’s writing. This is my favorite on the disc. The title track offers some good musical interludes, but I can't say that the entire track gels, it just never seems to get off the ground. “East Of Eden, West Of Memphis” has some really good vocals and Okumoto really steps out in the middle of this one for a great synth solo smothered in Mellotron. “Ghosts of Autumn” is a slow moody piece that I really enjoy, with a really emotional guitar solo from Alan. The band also includes the epic “A Guy Named Sid”. I love the melody of “Same Old Story” section, and the vocal harmonies are used in a Beach Boys meets Spock’s Beard fashion in “Sid’s Boys Choir”. “Change” offers a dramatic ending to the piece and again back to the old “Spock” trademarks. Having purchased the limited edition disc, two bonus tracks also are included, but these are not “must have” tracks in my opinion. Overall, the band shows a bit more edge, but retains the old Spock’s Beard identity to some degree. I must admit that I don’t find the material overall as strong as when Neal was writing, but it is still a good record with plenty of high points. Each member has contributed to the album, and all collaborated with outside writers. I give them credit for continuing on in the wake of Neal’s departure, and hope that things only get better for them. [See also Bobo's, John's, Clayton's, Keith's, and Davide'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) / Bonus Tracks: Moth of Many Flames (2:49) / From The Messenger (7:27) 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)