What Spock's Beard doesn't destroy, only makes this prog rock group stronger. It seems that way. These Californians have already waved off a frontman twice: co-founder and his successor Nick D'Virgilio. With new singer Ted Leonard, however, they have a strong new asset in 2015. More than his predecessors, Leonard gives charge and drama to his singing parts. But he can also rock. And so it happens
… that after 23 years this group comes up with an incredibly strong 12th album. The whole company is in good shape and is audibly feeling good. More than ever, complexity is at the service of strong songs like Minion and Get Out While You Can. Because of the driven vocals, supplemented with tight choral work and strong playing of guitarist and keyboardist , the music has gained depth over doing it unnecessarily complicated. That just results in one of the strongest albums in their oeuvre. (MR)more
