Review by Paddy Gallagher for MPM
“The Beard is out there………..”
The phenomena that is progressive guitar based music has on many occasions produced bands and discographies that are criminally underrated and under the radar as far as the general music listening public, and more surprisingly rock music afficionados, are concerned.
Names that some may have heard; Threshold, King’s X, Porcupine Tree, The Pineapple Thief, and Riverside among others are toiling and plodding away, recording exceptional music to achieve recognition by only the comparatively few lucky ones when truly deserving of the fame and riches enjoyed by the considerably less artistic. For every Yes, every Genesis, Pink Floyd, Kansas and King Crimson, Dream Theater, and Queensrÿche there are many struggling to finance the next album and tour.
One such band is the exceptional Spock’s Beard.
The Beard, as they are affectionately known to fans who in turn are affectionately known in many quarters as Beardies, came to be in Los Angeles in 1992. Founded by brothers Neal and Alan Morse 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. Their early sound distinctive due to the songwriting talents of Neal Morse included genre defining classics over 6 albums culminating with the release of the concept double album “Snow” in 2002.
The NDV era came about shortly after “Snow” when Neal decided to leave in pursuit of more Christian themes in his music, Nick D’Virgilio stepped out from behind the drumkit to take over on lead vocals. Due to the loss of their principal songwriter, a slight change in sound developed due to a more collaborative songwriting effort and resulted in 4 studio albums before Nick’s departure led to the recruitment of Ted Leonard from fellow Californian progsters Enchant. “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 Mr Ryo Okumoto who, with a little help from his friends has shaped a fantastic addition to the band’s catalogue, a release that is pure Spock’s Beard in all its symphonic prog glory.
“Invisible” is released in advance of the album and opens proceedings. We are indeed in familiar Spock’s Beard territory with Ted’s distinctive voice and band backing harmonies combining with Ryo’s keyboard wizardry and Alan Morse’s guitar fretboard gymnastics.
Next up is “Electric Monk”, Dave Meros’ walking basslines accompanying Ryo’s musical nods to past Bearded sounds.
“St. Jerome in The Wilderness” starts in classic Spock’s Beard fashion giving heartwarming flashbacks to past glories, bass adding texture and guitar work interspersed with the definitive Beard sound of Ryo’s organ keys knocking it out of the park mid-song along with Alan’s air guitar inducing solo. Newly Bearded Nick Potter’s kit work deserves a special mention, the new kid on the kit shows that once again Spock’s Beard have unearthed a drummer called Nick who can sing!
“Afourthoughts’. What can I say! A defining piece of work that builds until an strummed acoustic and Ted’s vocals provide the continuation of unique sounds, sounds that have provided memorable melodies in a cross album suite of songs resplendent with those intricate, multi part vocal harmonies that Spock’s Beard are renowned for.
The suite started with “Thoughts” in 1996 from second album “Beware of Darkness”, bearing witness to heavy influence from Gentle Giant; “Thoughts (Part II)” from year 2000 album “V”; the third instalment “Afterthoughts” from 2013’s “Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep” and “Afourthoughts”, the fourth part of a cross album suite of songs appear on releases that are chronologically after “Thoughts (Part 5)” which appears on the 2012 Neal Morse album “Momentum”.
Title track “The Archaeoptimist” has a mid-section that gets you grooving, fingers snapping and foot tapping. The story of a young girl’s journey from being an inspiration to being a leader in a post cataclysmic world this is a near 21 minute masterpiece that carves its own path without following the blueprint of previous Bearded epics. Superb.!!
Weighing in at 10 minutes 58 seconds, album closer “Next Step” starts with lush piano before the rest of the band latches onto the end of the piano riff, we hear Alan tear up and down the fretboard before Ted reminisces “Standing on the edge of a different stage, looking back at where we came from” in a song sounding like early era Beard with a hint of Kansas, typical Beard melody abounds with aplomb through verse and galloping chorus until tasteful acoustic guitar heralds in a soothing interlude with those special Beard vocals leading to another of Alan’s electric guitar solos.
Due for release on 21st November 2025, “The Archaeoptimist” is one of the pinnacles of Spock’s Beard’s superlative discography. On first listen this was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, with subsequent listens over way too soon, a sure sign of excellence. 6 tracks of sublime, quintessential Beard! The song construction and musicianship is in the premier league of Prog Rock and the fact that the band are genuinely nice guys adds to the experience. Justice would be served if these guys were propelled to stardom and riches, how they haven’t been over the last 33 years is yet another musical enigma.
Join us long term Beardies for the ride rejoicing in another tome of excellence. All newbie Beardies are welcome. The Beard is out there…..and remember….. Ryo is Rock’n’Roll!
