The second album of the post-Neal Morse era finds Spock's Beard settling into its more focused (if less openly adventurous) framework with increasing confidence. While there's no denying the irony that these champions of modern progressive rock sometimes find themselves locked into a retro-prog groove here, it's offset by an ever-ambitious sense of scale. "Flash Before My Eyes," the seven-part suite that dominates the album, reviews the life of its protagonist just as he's about to be struck down by a runaway truck. Anchored by a melodic motif reminiscent of Howard Shore's stately themes for Lord of the Rings and propelled by drummer Nick D'Virgillio's expressive voice, it gracefully soars beyond some awkward lyrical moments towards the inviting psych-pop realm of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. Elsewhere, the instrumental "NWC" fuses the aura of early Genesis with bursts of Alan Morse's solo guitar, while "There Was a Time" turns on familiar, harmony-rich metal-ballad conceits. "Watching the Tide" is a cut above, a Queen-centric slice of drama that showcases the D'Virgillio's supple vocal range. The bonus disc contains a self-deprecating "making of" video featurette, as well as five album outtakes and a handful of "Flash" overdub sessions. --Jerry McCulley
Album Description
Octane is the 8th release from Spock's Beard, the undisputed heavyweight champions of the new progressive rock movement; it also marks the second release by Spock's Beard on Inside Out Music America as well as their second release after the departure of former lead-vocalist and founding member, Neal Morse. Octane (as with Feel Euphoria) continues to show an evolution and marked growth in the Spock's Beard sound. Still present are the trademark melodies, lush vocal harmonies and instrumental ferocity that elevated Spock's Beard to the top rung of the progressive rock ladder. However, Octane sports a more aggressive and heavier sound. There is a new power and immediacy to their music which should help the band to further blur the lines which separate musical genres and cross Spock's Beard over to new fans while also satisfying the expectations of their longtime followers.
The Special Edition version of the release will be packaged in digibook format with extended booklet and will contain an additional disc featuring 8 bonus tracks and a multimedia section.
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