Spock´s Beard-Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep (2013)

"Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep" was the first album by the American band Spock's Beard after the departure of Nick D'Virgilio and Neal Morse. Their replacements were Jimmy Keegan on drums and Ted Leonard on lead vocals and guitar. It is precisely Leonard who decisively influences this eleventh album, contributing moments of vocal brilliance. This, combined with Alan Morse's guitar virtuosity, Jimmy Keegan's driving drumming, Dave Meros's tireless bass playing, and the essential contribution of keyboardist Ryo Okumoto, elevates this album to the status of a modern progressive rock classic. In keeping with Spock's Beard's characteristic sound and their pleasing interpretation of contemporary progressive rock inherited from the 70s, this release skillfully blends rich instrumentation, achieving moments of immense clarity, with irresistible and masterful melodies, adorned with memorable choruses. Tracks like "Hiding Out", "Submerged", "Something Very Strange" or the grandiose "Waiting For Me", make this record a truly captivating experience, while at the same time managing to create another masterpiece from this essential band of modern progressive rock of the 21st century.