SPOCK’S BEARD – The Archaeoptimist (2025) *HQ*
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SPOCK’S BEARD was founded by brothers Neal and Alan Morse in Los Angeles in 1992, and since then the band’s history can be catalogued in 3 phases: The Neal Morse Era; The Nick D’Virgilio (NDV) Era; and The Ted Leonard Era. “The Archaeoptimist” is the 4th album of the current era, the Ted Era of The Beard, the 14th Spock’s Beard studio album in total. Without a doubt this album is a result of the creative forces wielded by the legendary keyboardist Mr. Ryo Okumoto who, with a little help from his friends has shaped a fantastic addition to the band’s catalogue.
The Californians are still as complex as Yes – Going For The One era mostly, oddly enough – and they scatter harmonies like Beach Boys-sponsored confetti, all while sounding as crisp as ever.
And if you want prog you’ve got it, mostly on the epic title track, their first song to break the 20-minute barrier since 2000’s The Great Nothing. It begins with guitar pyrotechnics, takes a stentorian turn or seven and dips into AOR. And the remaining 17 minutes are just as intriguing.
Yet, there are new worlds to conquer. Spock’s Beard have never sounded quite so urgent, quite so in your face and (somehow) quite as up to date, whether it’s the sizzling Dream Theater-esque guitars of St. Jerome In The Wilderness or the moment Electric Monk brings out their inner REO Speedwagon.
More than anything though, as founder member and guitarist Alan Morse’s influence wanes, that of keyboardist Ryo Okumoto waxes. For all that it’s a jamboree of sounds and styles, more than anything “The Archaeoptimist” is a keyboards album.
Okumoto introduces Next Step with a bravura solo display of pure piano, but he’s across almost every track, mostly offering walls of synthesiser sheen somewhere between caped keyboard crusader Rick Wakeman, Tears For Fears and, especially on Invisible after that red herring opening, Nice-period Keith Emerson.
Like the best modern prog rock, ”The Archaeoptimist” reveals more and more at every new sitting. And if there were to be a takeaway from this impressive barrel of invention, it’s that complexity need not be inaccessible.
After all those albums, all those decades and a busy touring schedule, Spock’s Beard ought to know what they’re doing. The joy is that they really do.
Highly Recommended
01 – Invisible
02 – Electric Monk
03 – Afourthoughts
04 – St. Jerome in The Wilderness
05 – The Archaeoptimist
06 – Next Step
Ted Leonard – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
Alan Morse – guitars, vocals
Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, vocals
Dave Meros – bass, keyboards, vocals
Nick Potters – drums, vocals
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