The Oblivion Particle

This has a tone similar to Spock's Beard works of the past, with the same clean keyboards and changing rhythms. I don't think it jumps out as their best, but it's worth adding to your rotation. It's reasonably fresh, and manages to be energetic without getting into raucous metal styles.The vocals are nice. Despite being somewhat higher than, say, Steve Wilson or Mariusz Duda (Riverside, Lunatic Soul), the vocals avoid the whiny tone that infects a lot of prog.I don't usually like covers, but the Iron Man cover (last song) was pretty good. Very clean.Overall, not the best prog album so far this year, but a nice addition to my routine playlists.

I really enjoyed the previous SB effort and was expecting something as good or better for this release but unfortunately for me that did not happen. The songwriting is not as strong and seems piecemealed together. For instance, “The Center Line” begins with a lone piano then rolls along until reaching the galloping trot of the verse, out of the blue a break lasts for about 1:30, then we revisit the galloping part and the tune finally ends with the lone piano. The problem with this is the individual parts don’t flow together or complement each other, so overall the end product sounds disjointed. It’s like purposely throwing in a different passage or break because of a need to contrast or cover up the weaker parts of the song. Like trying to shove a round peg in a square hole. None of this works for me and it happens on several songs. Then there is "Hell's Not Enough" and "Get Out While You Can"... seriously lame tunes that feel and sound out of place compared to the rest of the music on the disc. I can't believe any fan would say, "yeah these are killer tunes, can't wait to hear these played live".Not all is bad – “Tides of Time”, “Bennett Built a Time Machine”, and “A Better Way to Fly” are stand-out tracks and of course the musicianship, production, and artwork are top-notch. I’m sure hard core fans will treasure this but I feel it could be better.

This is the first Spock's Beard record I have purchased since Neal Morse left, and I have enjoyed it greatly. The first two tracks are very strong, with "Minion" having a 70s Styx vibe. I enjoy Ted Leonard's vocals (I am a fan of his other band, Enchant), so I find him to be a welcome addition. "Bennett Built a Time Machine" is also very good. I would like to give the record five stars, but I did not find the songs to be strong enough overall for that rating. Still, this is a good progressive rock record that I recommend strongly.

This cd is a masterpiece for this band, with songs like Tides Of Time, Hell's Not Enough, Bennett Built A Time Machine & A Better Way To Fly just flow so effortlessly with guitar magic from both Alan Morse & Ted Leonard along with keyboard magic from Ryo Okumoto. This stunning progressive rock band still is not well known & this I don't understand. They also do a rendition of Black Sabbaths Iron Man which would make fans of the metal world take notice. This album deserves a 5 star review & this is what I gave it. This cd is a definite must for any prog fan or any music fan period.

i'm an older prog fan and have most of spock's beards material. i have to say i personally think its a fine effort and stands up there with their best work. fine vocals as always. i think the production is very good. overall i think any fan of this band will enjoy listening, and would not hesitate to recommend

I have listened to this new outing from Spocks Beard a few times and to tell the truth I am a little disappointed,To me the album actually starts with the 5th song Get out while you can.All the songs before just don't have thatSpocks Beard feel.I especially like "Iron Man", a nice tribute to Black Sabbath.This album is well worth the purchase price just not one of their better ones.Maybe a few more listens and it may grow on me.

Since I am branching out to their genre rather than "born to it," I am not a fanatic. But their music is good, substantive, and it is original. I had to buy this on CD and rip it myself - why isn't MP3 directly available on Amazon?

Very recommendable piece of music of this legendary band that had to deal with the departure of two great musicians as Neal Morse first and Nick D'Virgilio after. They had to aks for the help of other musicians to compose their music, but from X album to date they are keeping an excellent level.

I'm a long term fan and this album does not disappoint. You get bags of melody, the usual prog soundscapes (mellotron, Hammond, piano, Moog, cool guitar etc). They pack a lot into each track. It's an album rich in ideas, interesting arrangements, memorable hooks and cool time signatures. Jimmy grooves nicely on the drums, Dave Meros is often prominent on bass and Ted Leonard's voice is amazing. If anyone stands out, it's Ryo on keyboards. Spock's Beard have always melded (sorry!) pop tunes with the 70s progressive style. They are on a really good creative roll at present. This is a well-produced album which rewards repeated listens.

Let it sink.it sound ok at first but nothing special pop out.Then gave a spin every week or two,and it sinc and providegreat many moments.Many layers and subtles,the SB sound and uniq approach to Prog Rockall there,one of their all time very best.

Worth it for "Bennett Built A Time Machine" alone

This is an average rock album. I was disappointed on first hearing but i grew to like it more after a few plays. Couple tracks are quite good but I expected more from such renowned band.

Missing previous singer, this CD sounds like Enchant.