SPOCK’S BEARD – Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep [Limited Edition] (2013)

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Progsters SPOCK’S BEARD built a reputation in their 20 years together for invention, musicality and sheer restive energy.

Their 11th studio recording “Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep” will be released on April 2nd via InsideOut Music, though a limited edition of the album is available now via the band’s website.

“Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep” is an album that will constantly surprise you, full of different climates, breaks and melodic compositions based on audacious and elaborated instrumental developments. They combine strong melodies with intricate arrangements and superb musicianship here, always with class and respect for the song, not just unnecessary virtuosity.

This new album sees long-time members Alan Morse (guitar, vocals), Dave Meros(bass, keyboards, vocals) and Ryo Okumoto (keyboards, vocals) are now joined by creative drummer Jimmy Keegan, the band’s live drummer now for about 10 years but this is the very first time he’s recording in the studio with them.

“Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep” also represents the studio debut of new singer Ted Leonard, who is capable to lay down many different vocal styles and new colours to the group’s musical richness. He is also quite a good guitar player & songwriter and that is very evident on this new CD.

Also, we have the return of an old friend, the talented founder member Neal Morse (who left the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career) contributing in the songwriting and playing some guitar.

As on any Spock’s Beard album, there’s many superbly elaborated prog moments to discover here, yet accessible and more ‘easy listening’ than before.

Just check the terrific atmospheres in opener “Hiding Out” combining subtle orchestrations with brilliant uptempo passages quite close to Neo-Prog. Awesome guitar riffs are blended with tons of monster keyboard solos and melodic vocals.

“I Know Your Secret” pump your speakers with a compact delivery, followed by the commercial midtempo “A Treasure Abandoned”, a beautiful tune.

“Submerged sounds modern and almost radio-friendly, whilst the retro “Afterthoughts” it’s a quirky, four-part vocal harmonies track where the vocals rule. Excellent.

This Limited Edition comes with an extra disc, and believe me, it isn’t filled with left-overs.

“The Man You’re Afraid You Are” it’s really surprising, musically quite climatic and with some funk redolence that reminds me in parts Extreme in their ‘III’ album.

“Down A Burning Road” visits some Pink Floyd territories, “Wish I Were Here” is uptempo and fun, while the ‘Sanctified Remix’ of the main album track “Something Very Strange” sounds quite different than the original, is some passages in The Alan Parsons Project style.

The bonus of this edition called “Postcards From Perdition” is a fantastic instrumental ride full of magical corridors, where all members find room to shine.

I know many music aficionados are afraid of Spock’s Beard because they think the band is too much complex and their recipe not easy to digest.

Well, you might be making a huge mistake if you miss “Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep”. It’s a great recording, with some complex passages, yes, but all wrapped into a super slick commercial sound and compositionally, closer to Neo-Prog than never before.

This means you will enjoy this one and a half hour recording flawlessly, and will put these CD’s in your player many, many times.

Very Recommended.

Disc One

1. Hiding Out (7:13)

2. I Know Your Secret (7:40)

3. A Treasure Abandoned (8:53)

4. Submerged (4:57)

5. Afterthoughts (6:08)

6. Something Very Strange (8:23)

7. Waiting For Me (12:36)

Disc Two (special edition only)

1. The Man You’re Afraid You Are (7:11)

2. Down A Burning Road (6:51)

3. Wish I Were Here (6:33)

4. Something Very Strange / Sanctified (Remix) (5:09)

Limited edition bonus track:

5. Postcards From Perdition (4:27)

Ted Leonard – lead and backing vocals, guitar

Alan Morse – guitars, backing vocals, mandolin, autoharp

Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, mellotron, synths, clavinet, vocoder

Dave Meros – bass, backing vocals

Jimmy Keegan – drums and percussion, timpani, backing vocals

Additional personnel:

Stan Ausmus – co-writer, add. guitar

John Boegehold – co-writer, vocoder

Craig Eastman – violin, viola, hurdy gurdy

Neal Morse – co-writer, add. guitar

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