SPOCK's BEARD is a Progressive Rock band that is just on the fringes of the genre. Many fans of Progressive music know who they are, but I am familiar with the name, but not much of their music. So, when I saw their latest release, I figured now would be a good time to take a deep dive into the album. The genre of Progressive Rock is fairly deep and wide, and you can get anything from simple, catchy music, to more complex and harder to swallow pills. Sometimes, the melody is easy on the ears, while other times it is circuitous. One thing is for sure, however, and that's the surprise factor that always keeps me coming back for more. I've been told they have a bit of a throwback sound with modern touches, so let's see what the album has in store for us.

Their newest album, titled "Archaeoptimist," is presented here, and it has six songs. "Invisible" is first. Sweet vocal harmonies come out of the gate, followed by a rocking keyboard and guitar passage. They hit every accent, and every change of sound with pinpoint accuracy, and the song breathes from a lively energy. "Eclectic Monk" carries a nice little melody in the keyboards and vocals, and the animated bass notes provide a thick bottom end. One of the more noticeable things about the album so far is that surprise factor I mentioned earlier. Subtle shifts are done with taste, and they keep you on your toes. "Afourthoughts" takes you just a bit to catch your bearings, but that meaty bass line and spacey keyboards get you headed in the right direction. The acapella vocal section is amazing…it feels like voices are coming from everywhere, and the band explores many melody lines here.

"St. Jerome in the Wilderness" has a start and stop sequence at the beginning and instruments that take just a bit to melt into place. It's a little darker at times, almost tense. The mid section, however, is sweet, and brimming with piano melody. The tones grow heavier and more intense towards the end, with a trade off of a string-burying guitar and glittering keyboard solo. The title track is a 20-minute beast, and the heart of the album. The entering vocal performance is quite emotional, as Ted stretches into the upper ranges. A firm, dark keyboard section follows, with more animated bass guitar notes, and it carries an infectious groove with it. The progression is rock to Jazz, even groove at times. They shift the sound more times than you can count, but please, follow along. A heavier sound ensues, marked with ambient passages, and then it make a bee line to completion.

"Next Step" is the final song, and it hints at new beginnings. It's a jovial jaunt, and led by charming piano notes. Once it gets going, it has a ton of energy, and it's lively sound feels alive, and it has a chorus you can easily sing along with.  This is one of Progressive Rock's finest album of the year. Just quirky enough to keep it interesting and intriguing, they explore plenty of unchartered territory on the album but always find their way home. Their musicianship is outstanding, and I did indeed find that the album has a retroactive feeling to it while staying within the modern scene. Magnificent!