I've probably said too much already on the two previous listen-through portions of this trilogy... I can't understate how this album impacted me upon its release. It is right up there with Kansas Leftoverture and UK's self titled for instantaneous overwhelming enthusiasm. Most of the prog legends' albums always took a few listens to really grab me (or me them as it were), but these three, plus Porcupine Tree's Signify "had me at hello". Kindness is a special gem. That unbelievable summer love affair that stole your heart and you never, ever forgot - and rarely, if ever, matched. I can't tell you how psyched I was that Jim was discovering this hidden masterpiece.
This was my introduction to Spock's Beard and my head exploded. Such an incredible album. For a long time they became my favorite band, and I even got a thank you in the credits for SNOW for sending them some of the best coffees in the world to enjoy during the sessions. At any given time this album takes turns with V and SNOW as my favorite of theirs.
I write before I listen to your comment: In April 2000 I saw Spocks Beard live, they opened for Dream Theater. I head never heard before of Spocks Beard, I only knew Spock's ears 😆 Since it was my first concert after 10 years and my first DT concert, who planned to perform Scenes from a memory in its entirety, I didn't pay much attention to Spocks Beard. This attitude has changed in later years - you never know which upcoming band you've seen at their beginning. Neal came on my "map" a bit later with Transatlantic , in both bands you hear a lot of Neal's composing. I have 3 Spocks Beard studio CDs of the early years, but never checked who composed, but whenever Neal's there you can tell. I have to say that I liked The Kindness, never heard it before, but there is so much output of Neal so if I have the choice, I like Transatlantic a bit better, maybe because it has lots of Stolt and Portnoy influence, also some Trewavas. I also like Neal Morse Band live very much. Neal has (co-)composed as many epics as hardly anybody else and I bet, if someone played a song with him to you, you're not always able to tell, which band it is. I've watched a documentary when he was in studio with Neal Morse Band. It's so much fun to see him standing in the studio singing his ideas to the others, being enthusiastic with his arms directing the nonexisting orchestra 🤣🤘
Great to hear you like it too. I never doubt you didn’t. The first album by them I listened to and I was sold, as we say in the Netherlands. Live they’re extremely great too.
Thanks so much Jim for an excellent reaction and review. I have struggled with this album for several years. I love the playfulness and unique soundscapes. Lyrically however, I think Neal Morse is just finding his voice, and the results are mixed. In a few years after this was recorded, SB released their two masterpieces with V and Snow (and Neal began his incredible journey with Transatlantic). Currently, I am starting to get into the NMB projects. I feel that The Similitude of a Dream is Neal's finest album (and I just can't stop listening to it!). I shy away from overtly Christian themes, but man oh man, the musicality of Similitude is almost beyond belief. PS, for a taste of SB live, check out their 2016 performance of Falling For Forever (on Snow DVD). The drum duet with Nick and Jimmy Keegan is superb.
It sure IS,SD....and that track,Falling For Forever,is a fantastic one! I never heard it for the longest time,being on that greatest hits package they released.But--it's another NM gem at 16 minutes. And so cool it features all the members in one song! Long live Neal Morse! :-) T
I've seen every line-up of this band (but didn't discover them till "V" and the 1st time seeing them for that album), and they are open enough to walk-up and talk to them :D. Great bunch of guys. Wanted you to know Jim, I find it ASTOUNDING that "Alan Morse" uses NO _pick_ as he is a finger picker. Maybe the most intricate picker I've ever seen or heard (in-other words, it _sounds_ like he's using a pick)
Yeah, I've chatted to them a couple of times - all unfailingly nice guys. One thing I didn't ask though is why Alan has the Mellotron logo on his guitar. It's...um...a Fender Strat, not a mellotron.
I really need to give earlier SB a go - I'm a huge fan of X, quite enjoy the self-titled, and thought Feel Euphoria was decent. I listened to a couple of the older albums years ago but I could never remember much of it, and I'm not sure why. I vaguely remember not enjoying Mr Morse's vocals - I think it's why I haven't gone back to Transatlantic as often as I'd like. Musically I always quite enjoyed them so I think I'll give this a shot.
I've probably said too much already on the two previous listen-through portions of this trilogy... I can't understate how this album impacted me upon its release. It is right up there with Kansas Leftoverture and UK's self titled for instantaneous overwhelming enthusiasm. Most of the prog legends' albums always took a few listens to really grab me (or me them as it were), but these three, plus Porcupine Tree's Signify "had me at hello". Kindness is a special gem. That unbelievable summer love affair that stole your heart and you never, ever forgot - and rarely, if ever, matched. I can't tell you how psyched I was that Jim was discovering this hidden masterpiece.
This was my introduction to Spock's Beard and my head exploded. Such an incredible album. For a long time they became my favorite band, and I even got a thank you in the credits for SNOW for sending them some of the best coffees in the world to enjoy during the sessions. At any given time this album takes turns with V and SNOW as my favorite of theirs.
I write before I listen to your comment:
In April 2000 I saw Spocks Beard live, they opened for Dream Theater. I head never heard before of Spocks Beard, I only knew Spock's ears 😆 Since it was my first concert after 10 years and my first DT concert, who planned to perform Scenes from a memory in its entirety, I didn't pay much attention to Spocks Beard. This attitude has changed in later years - you never know which upcoming band you've seen at their beginning. Neal came on my "map" a bit later with Transatlantic , in both bands you hear a lot of Neal's composing. I have 3 Spocks Beard studio CDs of the early years, but never checked who composed, but whenever Neal's there you can tell. I have to say that I liked The Kindness, never heard it before, but there is so much output of Neal so if I have the choice, I like Transatlantic a bit better, maybe because it has lots of Stolt and Portnoy influence, also some Trewavas. I also like Neal Morse Band live very much. Neal has (co-)composed as many epics as hardly anybody else and I bet, if someone played a song with him to you, you're not always able to tell, which band it is.
I've watched a documentary when he was in studio with Neal Morse Band. It's so much fun to see him standing in the studio singing his ideas to the others, being enthusiastic with his arms directing the nonexisting orchestra 🤣🤘
Great to hear you like it too. I never doubt you didn’t.
The first album by them I listened to and I was sold, as we say in the Netherlands.
Live they’re extremely great too.
Thanks so much Jim for an excellent reaction and review. I have struggled with this album for several years. I love the playfulness and unique soundscapes. Lyrically however, I think Neal Morse is just finding his voice, and the results are mixed. In a few years after this was recorded, SB released their two masterpieces with V and Snow (and Neal began his incredible journey with Transatlantic). Currently, I am starting to get into the NMB projects. I feel that The Similitude of a Dream is Neal's finest album (and I just can't stop listening to it!). I shy away from overtly Christian themes, but man oh man, the musicality of Similitude is almost beyond belief.
PS, for a taste of SB live, check out their 2016 performance of Falling For Forever (on Snow DVD). The drum duet with Nick and Jimmy Keegan is superb.
It sure IS,SD....and that track,Falling For Forever,is a fantastic one! I never heard it for the longest time,being on that greatest hits package they released.But--it's another NM gem at 16 minutes. And so cool it features all the members in one song! Long live Neal Morse! :-) T
I've seen every line-up of this band (but didn't discover them till "V" and the 1st time seeing them for that album), and they are open enough to walk-up and talk to them :D. Great bunch of guys.
Wanted you to know Jim, I find it ASTOUNDING that "Alan Morse" uses NO _pick_ as he is a finger picker. Maybe the most intricate picker I've ever seen or heard (in-other words, it _sounds_ like he's using a pick)
Yeah, I've chatted to them a couple of times - all unfailingly nice guys. One thing I didn't ask though is why Alan has the Mellotron logo on his guitar. It's...um...a Fender Strat, not a mellotron.
I really need to give earlier SB a go - I'm a huge fan of X, quite enjoy the self-titled, and thought Feel Euphoria was decent. I listened to a couple of the older albums years ago but I could never remember much of it, and I'm not sure why. I vaguely remember not enjoying Mr Morse's vocals - I think it's why I haven't gone back to Transatlantic as often as I'd like. Musically I always quite enjoyed them so I think I'll give this a shot.
Neal's vocals CAN be an acquired taste for some (I don't think so,but..) hope you give the early albums another go. They're top shelf listens,IMO. T