Neil Morse composed most of “The Light”, with the exception of the more traditional closing track “On the Edge”, within a week or so. He asked his brother to play on the demos and at first he didn’t seem very into it. Then he called a few weeks later and said, ‘Oh yeah, this stuff is killer…Let’s put a band together!’ — and Spock’s Beard was born. Enter drummer Nick D’Virgilio and bassist Dave Meros. The Morse brothers handle hammond organ, mellotron and other keyboard duties and out comes their debut album “The Light”.
The album introduces listeners to many of the musical elements that would become Spock’s Beard trademarks. Consisting of just four songs (only one shorter than seven minutes), The Light demonstrates the Beard’s desire to bridge its tight grasp of 70s progressive with contemporary charm, chops and wit – all characteristics in short supply from American bands at the time.
The title track is a 15+ minute suite with varied sections and themes that are in turn sensitive and pretty, powerful, and humourous. A tasty, generous and satisfying helping of pure progressive!
“Go the Way You Go” is while somewhat more pop/accessible than the other material here, it is still heavyweight progressive rock. The speaker-shaking ending has a majestic feel that would be especially effective live.
At over 23 minutes, “The Water” is the longest piece on the album. This suite contains some of the album’s heaviest moments, and the crunchy hammond riffs at the beginning are particularly welcome to old rockers’ ears. A very varied piece, it holds interest despite its length.
The final number, “On the Edge,” at only six minutes, is, perforce, not as “epic” as the tracks that precede it, but is still a terrific, hard-rocking song that brings this excellent album to a strong finish.
As debut albums go this one’s a blue-ribbon winner and an exemplary place to start for the Spock’s Beard neophyte.
Line-up:
- Neal Morse / lead vocals, mellotron, hammond organ, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitar
- Alan Morse / lead electric guitar, cello, mellotron & vocals
- Dave Meros / bass, French horn
- Nick D’Virgilio / drums, percussions, vocals
- Neal Morse / lead vocals, mellotron, hammond organ, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitar
- Alan Morse / lead electric guitar, cello, mellotron & vocals
- Dave Meros / bass, French horn
- Nick D’Virgilio / drums, percussions, vocals
Track List:
01. The Light – 15:33
02. Go the Way You Go – 12:07
03. The Water – 23:10
04. On the Edge – 6:14
05. Hidden Track – 2:27 http://filepost.com/files/8dbdm685/Spock's_Beard__the_Light_(1994).rar/
01. The Light – 15:33
02. Go the Way You Go – 12:07
03. The Water – 23:10
04. On the Edge – 6:14
