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: REVIEW : :
Another drummer comes out of hiding behind the kit to tackle the frontman/lead vocal
chores in order to continue the legacy for a legendary band’s faithful followers.
Maybe not quite on the scale of the now ancient Gabriel/Collins transition, but a
very significant change for Beard watchers nonetheless.
Taken as a whole, the first post-Neal album, “Feel Euphoria” seems to me a blend of
new style, Ryo-driven jams and the “Old friend” S.B. style we know and love. If this
was a conscious effort to establish a new identity without completely abandoning
their signature sound, then they have succeeded. The songwriting is a group effort
for this CD, but familiar themes favored by Neal Morse, such as emotional disconnect
from relationships and society and the search for truth and redemption are
revisited.
Nick D’Virgilio exhibits a wide range in
his vocal style, from gritty and intense, to serene and soulful. This is not to say
that Nick is imitating Neal, but you get the impression that Neal’s charisma has
rubbed off on Nick, maybe just from hanging out together for so long. The other Mr.
Morse, Alan, maintains the family connection with nuthin’ too fancy, straight
-forward guitar work.
The first track, Onomatopoeia ( Words named for the sound made, for those who were
sick that day and missed Language Arts class ) is the hard rocker on this album,
where a fragile guy deals with an infarct of clicks and buzzes in his brain before
rediscovering the key to sanity in the heart and soul. Tracks (2) through (6)
alternate in the aforementioned “old” and “new” style. The mini-epic “A Guy Named
Sid” reminded me of the last album “Snow”, as another neglected member of society’s
outcasts makes his own path through life. Part V, Sid’s Boys Choir, is a marvelous
exercise in accappella harmony.
True Spock’s Beard fans need to judge on an individual basis the merit of “Feel
Euphoria” as the first CD of the new edition. Is that certain something missing
which makes the band less than it was? As for me, nothing grabbed me and spun me
around, but Okumoto still rocks a Hammond, Nick can sing, the cover art is very
cool, and they still sound like a fun band.
Rating: 8 keyboards out of 10
Reviewed by: Rick Woodward
: : Visit the artist web
site : :
: : Discography : :
The Light - 1995
Beware Of Darkness - 1996
The Kindness Of Strangers - 1998
Day For Night 1999
V - 2002
Snow - 2002
Feel Euphoria - 2003
: : Live,
compilations, singles : :
Official Live Bootleg - 1996
From The Vault-Rarities - 1997
Live At The Whisky And Nearfest - 1999
Skin (single) - 1999
Don’t Try This At Home-Live - 2000
Nick n’ Neal Live in Europe – Two Separate Gorillas- From The Vaults, Series 2 -
2000
Don’t Try This @ Home Either- Live From The Vaults , Series 3
All On A Sunday - (single) - 2001
There And Here- Live - 2001
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