Search - Spock's Beard :: Feel Euphoria

A nice effort

Jason Bachand | Connecticut | 08/26/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The challenge of any band that's lost a vital member is twofold: to firmly establish itself as a viable entity of it's own right, and to deliver music of the same quality that fans have come to expect.With Feel Euphoria, Spock's Beard have succeeded admirably at the former - they are indeed an impressive band even without former lead singer/songwriter Neal Morse. For many, however, this issue was hardly in doubt. Place such a collection of talented players in any band and they're bound to sound great. And so, it is hardly surprising that the band wield their instruments with considerable prowess throughout all of the albums compositions. The real issue for fans, myself included, was whether or not the music would meet the impressive standard that has made Spock's Beard one of the top prog establishments of the past ten years. On this account, the album misses slightly. There's an awful lot to enjoy here, but there's something absent from Feel Euphoria that fails to make the album as magical as the others in the band's catalogue. Spock's Beard has always chosen the obliquely spiritual for it's subject matter, conjuring inscrutable lyrics with a very poetic bent to provide a sort of message to engage the positive. That feeling is absent here, and as a result the music sounds somewhat pedestrian. I hesitate to say it's not as good, but it is starkly different.In the lyrical department, the album falls flat as well. Admittedly, Neal Morse is a tough act to followe, but it was a poor decision on the band's part to enlist the aid of outsiders to write the lyrics to the album. This is always a sign of desperation in the musical world (A case and point is Pink Floyd, who enlisted an army of supplemental scribes after Roger Water's departure). The result are lyrics that often wouldn't pass a basic songwriting course, although "The Bottom Line" and "Shining Star" are wonderful exceptions. NDV and Ryo have shown themselves to be capable lyricists in the past, let's all hope they have the confidence to work without outside 'help' in the future. In the final analysis, Feel Euphoria is a step in the right direction. It will take time for the band to find it's own sound, and for fans to get used to it, but Spock's Beard will endure for many years to come."

A Trick of the Nick

Kevin Muckenthaler | 12/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the weakest Spock's Beard albums, but it's by no means bad. In fact, it's a very good release. A lot of the spirit of the Beard is still present even after frontman Neal Morse's departure, and the remaining quartet puts in fine performances, particularly guitarist Alan Morse. Nick D'Virgilio is a good singer, but his voice is less instantly recognizable than Neal's is/was, partly because he tries out different singing styles throughout.



The best track by far is "Ghosts of Autumn", a moody, emotional masterpiece with lots of atmosphere. It reminds me a little of "Solitary Soul" from the album Snow. The worst song on Feel Euphoria is the title track, a mostly downright ugly-sounding mess, which I think is the worst Spock's Beard song ever. Ironic, considering the title of the song.



The opener "Onomatopoeia" is a good, in-your-face rocker that kicks things off with a bang. "The Bottom Line" is a track with some great ideas, but feels spliced together. Still, it's a better-than-average song. The poppy "Shining Star" sounds like it's begging to be put on the radio, which it won't. It's probably the least progressive song the band's ever done, but it's pleasant and well done. "East of Eden, West of Memphis" starts out as a catchy toe-tapping pop/rocker, but quickly changes gears and goes into a completely manic proggy section with insane drumming.



The epic "A Guy Named Sid" has some pretty corny lyrics, but it's mostly quite entertaining musically. "You Don't Know", with its anthemic chorus, is the highlight, which wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Neal-era album. The multi-layered acapella vocal section of the epic, "Sid's Boys Choir" lacks something in that it's all Nick singing, but it's done pretty well. Sid as a whole rocks harder than previous Spock's Beard epics, but the ending is very close to the Neal style of closing up long tracks. Feel Euphoria ends with the uplifting "Carry On", which has Nick singing the opening lines as though he's channeling Neal.



People new to the Beard should start by getting a few of the earlier albums. But they shouldn't ignore this CD. The new band line-up shows lots of promise, and I'm looking forward to their follow-up album Octane."

Really Don't Feel Euphoria!

MusicFan | Long Island, NY | 07/12/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the NEW Spock's Beard. Sought of like the Beatles without John Lennon. The creative force of the band -Neal Morse is sorely missed! I have been a Beard fan since their first release (The Light).....Gone are the melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and ingenious arrangements of Neal....Drummer Nick D'Virgillio steps up and does a credible job, but this falls far short of what we've come to expect from previous SB efforts ("V", "Kindness of Strangers", "Day For Night" etc.)Neal Morse was a TRUE musical genious. His shoes will never be filled....This CD does NOT leave you with a feeling of Euphoria, but rather with an empty hole which may never be filled..............."