V (Spock's Beard album)

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V
Studio album by Spock's Beard

Publication
(s)

August 22, 2000

Label (s) Inside / Out

Format (s)

CD

Genre (s)

Progressive rock

Title (number)

6th

running time

63 min 25 s

occupation

production

Neal Morse and Spock's Beard

Studio (s)

Lawnmower and garden supply, Pasadena

chronology
Day for night
(1999) 		V Snow
2002

V is, as the name suggests, the fifth studio album by the progressive rock band Spock's Beard . It was released on August 22, 2000.

description

The album is framed by the two longtracks At the End of the Day and The Great Nothing , in which a game with potential for tension takes place with extensive instrumental introductions and interludes, short orchestral insertions and borrowings from singer-songwriter , Latin American music , hard rock and fusion . In addition to the typical retro-prog keyboard sounds of the Hammond organ , Mellotron and piano, Dave Meros' powerful bass playing proves to be decisive for the sound .

In Thoughts Part II , the band also works with polyphonic vocals and strange-looking string intermezzo. The title points to a continuation of the piece Thoughts from the second album Beware of Darkness , but this reference was only realized when the name was found at a later stage of the creation.

The mentioned stylistic devices come into play less in the remaining titles, which can be described as more radio-friendly songs in the range of four to six minutes. Compared to the ballad -like Revelation and Goodbye to Yesterday , All On A Sunday contains a cheerful pop-rock piece, which, as the band's second single and first music video, did not have any notable success.

Emergence

The compositions and lyrics were worked out as usual by front man Neal Morse, before the rest of the band got involved with the arrangements through suggestions . Although Morse himself attaches subordinate importance to his texts from this period - the wording of individual passages was not determined until the vocal recordings - certain contents can be recorded in the pieces: The Great Nothing tells the story of an aspiring musician who does not stand out with an autobiographical background only has to fight for the attention needed for success, but is also put to the test in dealing with dodgy people and alcohol. Finally he can prevail. In Thoughts Part II is about black thoughts and their self-destructive effects, while Revelation of his wife is to be dedicated.

There is a making-of video The Making of V , which was released in full as part of the concert DVD Don't try this at Home - Live in Holland . Some short excerpts from it are also included as a multimedia track on the limited edition of the album.

Tracklist

  1. At the End of the Day - 16:28
  2. Revelation - 6:05
  3. Thoughts Part II - 4:39
  4. All on a Sunday - 4:04
  5. Goodbye to Yesterday - 4:39
  6. The Great Nothing - 27:01
    1. From Nowhere
    2. One note
    3. Come Up Breathing
    4. Submerged
    5. Missed Your Calling
    6. The Great Nothing
  7. Multimedia track (limited edition only)

occupation

  • Neal Morse - vocals, synthesizer, acoustic guitar
  • Alan Morse - electric guitar, cello, vocals
  • Ryo Okumoto - Hammond Organ and Mellotron
  • Dave Meros - bass, stand up pedals, vocals and french horn
  • Nick D'Virgilio - drums, drums, vocals

Guest musicians:

  • Katie Hagen - French Horn
  • Chris Carmichael - violin, viola, cello
  • Kathy Anne Lord - English Horn
  • Joey Pippin - trumpet

Web links