Spock’s
Beard - Octane
By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Spock’s Beard continues to gather momentum
and change with each album. Octane is their heaviest and most diverse
since Mr. Morse left the fold. Nick D’ Virgilio keeps getting stronger;
he has developed into quite a presence in front of the microphone. It makes
you wonder why he sat behind the drum kit all those years and never stepped
forward. Of course, the rest of the band have followed his lead and adapted
their style and strengths to suit his vocal style. On this album, I think
they have reached that creative zenith that was just out of their reach
on Feel Euphoria. Yes, the boys have really battened down the hatches on
this effort.
This use of the word heavy pertains to
every aspect of the CD. Ryo Okumoto (keys), Dave Meros (guitar), Alan Morse
(guitar) and D’ Virgilio’s drums are a force to be reckoned with. The lead
off track which is a three part tour de force that takes the band through
all the paces, displays every position in the band and their particular
talents and how congeals to form their remarkable unit. When the beauty
and clarity of “She is Everything” hits you straight between the eyes,
you will finally realize that they have moved into some new territory other
than progressive rock. This is sophisticated and perfected rock-pop with
enough prog around the fringes to keep you interested. I must say that
they wear it well and it turned into my favorite cut on the album after
a few listens. It has an irresistible charm and rhythm to it, an element
that was not evident on previous releases.
I love the cover of this album; it is so
simplistic yet so meaningful. It points to where the band is at, not just
an indication of their eighth album but the gas pump is symbolic of the
unrelenting high-octane energy this band has now, and they invite you to
fill up with some of their fuel. I tell you, my first impression of this
recording was, Wow! This really rocks, then as you listen more you find
that they continue to offer listeners more diversity than ever possible,
or expected for that matter. I say this without any wavering… this is one
of the best albums Spock’s Beard has ever recorded.
Note: At press time, I did not have
the bonus disc but included the tracks for the reader’s benefit.
CD Info
Spock’s
Beard - Octane
Label: SPV/Inside
Out
Rating: 
| Tracks:
01. The Ballet Of The Impact
(I) Prelude To The Past
(II) The Ultimate Quiet
(III) A Blizzard Of My Memories
02. I Wouldn't Let It Go
03. Surfing Down The Avalanche
04. She Is Everything
(I) Strange What You Remember
(II) Words Of Forever
05. Climbing Up That Hill
06. Letting Go
07. Of The Beauty Of It All - mp3
(I) If I Could Paint A Picture
(II) Into The Great Unknowable
08. NWC - mp3
09. There Was A Time
10. The Planet's Hum - mp3
11. Watching The Tide
|
Special Edition Bonus Disc
01. When She's Gone
02. Follow Me To Sleep
03. Game Face
04. Broken Promise Land
05. Listening To The Sky
extras from "A Flash Before My Eyes" :
06. Someday I'll Be Found
07. I Was Never Lost
08. Paint Me A Picture
includes a QuickTime video:
09. The Formulation Of Octane
|
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Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
is a veteran syndicated music critic, his reviews appear in over 35 publications
world-wide. To read more of Keith’s work visit muzikreviews.com
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