Album Review: Spock's Beard - Gluttons For Punishment


The first live album after Neal Morse's departure from Spock's Beard, came after their second studio release without Neal, an album called "Octane". Without Neal, the studio album is vastly different from the previous material, but one fact always remains the same with Spock's Beard: when you buy an SB album, you know that you'll be getting your moneys worth, with more prog than you can shake a mellotron at.

Released in 2005, "Gluttons For Punishment" is a fantastic live set of old, and new material. And while the bulk of the material here is taken from the previous two albums (with most of that coming from "Octane"), it is really cool to hear some of the older material get a bit of a facelift with the "new singer", drummer Nick D'Virgilio.

The album kicks off with the epic "Flash Before My Eyes" from the band's "Octane" album, and doesn't let up until the conclusion of "The Light", nearly two hours later. The band have absolutely no problem expertly playing through this amazing set of prog rock, with each band member bringing their A-game.

Without Neal on stage, the band brought in the amazing drumming talents of Jimmy Keegan, who doesn't miss a beat, as Nick D'Virgilio takes his place at center stage, singing songs from both eras of the band. Nick's voice is very different from Neal's, but no less powerful, and pleasing to the ears. Musically, the band are in perfect form as they tear through the Neal era songs "Harm's Way", "At the End of the Day", and "The Light", with each musician seeming to give a lesson to all of the new players out there on how to perform at the top of their class.

The newer songs sound fantastic in this live setting, putting to bed any worries that Spock's Beard wouldn't be able to carry on without Neal. With two albums under their belt with this new lineup, they leave a lot of great material off of the table, particularly the lack of material from their previous album, "Feel Euphoria". However, since they were touring for "Octane", that can easily be forgiven. Still, I wonder what "A Guy Named Sid", "Onomatopoeia" (one of my very favorite SB tunes), or "Carry On" might have sounded like in a live setting. I will say that this live version of "Ghosts of Autumn" may be one of the most beautiful musical moments from this incredibly gifted band of musicians.

Some of the highlights here are the instrumental powerhouse of "NWC" (complete with a really killer drum solo), "A Flash Before My Eyes" (particularly "She Is Everything", which I have always loved), "At the End of the Day" (probably my favorite ever performance of this amazing track from the "V" album), "As Long As We Ride" (a total rock anthem, if ever there were a prog-rock anthem), and the title track from the debut Spock's album, "The Light". But to be honest, the entire show is fantastic, and one that no fan of the band should miss!

Spock's Beard have always been an immensely talented band, in terms of performance, and of songwriting. And though they've been through a few lineup changes, one thing is clear: the mighty beard have earned themselves a seat at the world's best progressive rock table, as they have always been, and always will  be one of the greatest progressive rock acts of all time.

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Buy "Gluttons For Punishment", and many other Spock's Beard albums at the band's website.

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