SPOCK’S BEARD ‘The X-Tour Live’ Music Theories Recordings/Mascot

 

Recorded live at the Downey Civic Centre in September 2010 this live release will make the swansong of Nick D’Virgilio who left the band last year. They play all of the ‘X’ album on disc one save for ‘Their Names Escape Me’ and the second disc covers some songs of their previous albums. Live the band stick pretty much to the album versions of the ‘X’ songs with a the odd added solo/musical break. With the addition of live drummer (and now full time member) Jimmy Keegan it allows Nick D’Virgilio the chance to front the band (although he does drum most notably on the drum duel which opens disc two).

 

Highlights for me are ‘The Emperor’s Clothes’ and ‘June’, both songs utilise the band’s strong harmony vocals and ‘The Quiet House’, a song that allows each band member to shine. If you like this band getting this live album is a no brainer and it acts as a good stop gap until the new studio album comes along.

 

Although recorded in 2010, 2011 was a pivotal year for the band with Nick D'Virgilio leaving the band, two new members in the band’s live shows drummer Jimmy Keegan and Enchant’s Ted Leonard and former member Neal Morse briefly joining the band onstage at High Voltage festival. The band is working on a new album and it will be very interesting to see where the music takes them…

 

Jason Ritchie