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| Spock's Beard - Octane Bonus Disk |
 Released: 2005 Label: InsideOut / InsideOut Music Cat. No.: (Special Edition: IOMSECD 198/ SPV 089-40700 DCD) Total Time: | |
Reviewed by: Joshua Turner, February 2005 Just as I expected, this bonus is more than legitimate. In the days where a bonus is a short instrumental jam, second hand material, or nothing more than glitzy packaging, Spock's Beard gives us a bonus that's equivalent or better than many band's official releases. While many bonuses are lucky to get a full listen, you may find yourself returning to this one on multiple occasions. Each song is Grade "A" Choice, yet you sense for one reason or another why they wouldn't make it to the official release. Fortunate for us, Octane's standard edition is like a lean slab of sirloin with all the fat and gristle sliced clean from the meaty substance. Their critical ear and perfectionism leads to an album with many fine cuts. However, there is a substantial amount of succulent beef left on the side. If you're like me and the album left you salivating for more, the remnants are sure to satisfy. While each piece is good, there are two major standouts on the bonus disc. Both are found smack dab in the middle. This would be "Game Face" followed by "Broken Promise Land." The former, "Game Face," was certainly good enough to make it onto the album with no questions asked. It shows Spock's Beard's whimsical and witty side. In some ways, it could easily be considered "Thoughts III." I figure their dilemma with this song was determining where to put it without messing up the flow of the album. If I were tasked with its placement, I would have no idea where to put it. My best guess would be the slot between "NWC" and "There Was A Time." Then again, the way the album was ultimately forged is close to flawless, so I too would probably choose to leave it off the album. As the saying goes, why fix what isn't broken? The other song, "Broken Promised Land," is just a well-written, well-formed, and well-executed song. There isn't anything wrong with it. However, and there is usually a however when a song makes it to the bonus disc, many of the ideas in this piece are either recycled from or reused in other places. I assume they felt this wasn't original enough and they'd be accused of rehashing the same material. Nonetheless, this song is a nice display of the magic and mystery found in Spock's Beard's music. If I was to introduce a person to the band with just one song, this would be the one. It's that good and it is quite representative of the breadth of their talent. While the range is what works best for it, this strength is the sole force working against it. The special edition is worth getting for these two tracks alone, but that's not all. On top of that, there are some outtakes, additional songs, and even a long video showing the band making the album. All this comes with the bling bling in a hard shell with an extensive booklet. This bonus material is worth having for anyone who considers themselves a dedicated fan of Spock's Beard. Don't miss out on this "very special" edition! Rating: 4.25/5 [See also Joshua's, Bobo's, Eric's, Steph's, Keith's and Marcel's reviews of the main CD -ed.] More about Octane Bonus Disk: Track Listing: A Flash Before My Eyes: The Ballet Of The Impact (5:34) / I Wouldn't Let It Go (4:53) / Surfing Down The Avalanche (3:43) / She Is Everything (6:46) / Climbing Up That Hill (3:31) / Letting Go (1:53) / Of The Beauty Of It All (4:53) // NWC (4:16) / There Was A Time (4:58) / The Planet's Hum (4:42) / Watching The Tide (5:07) / As Long As We Ride (5:35) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.spocksbeard.com Discography
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