um ok, so Spock's Beard. Not my favorite prog band but I disagree with selkie that they are shit while other retro bands like Wobbler and Anglagard are "good". I saw the Beard live some years ago at an LA prog festival circa 1993, I think. They played with Kevin Gilbert, who did a fantastic version of Yes' Siberian Khatru. But I digress, the Beard played some material from what would become their first two records The Light and Beware of Darkness. This was the same festival that Anglagard played and while I prefered the retro Anglagard sound, mostly because I am a mellotron whore, one thing I have to say for the members of Spock's Beard is that they were all excellent musicians live.
Powers, if you like Octane you will probably also like Feel Euphoria as that also features drummer Nick D'Virgilio on vocals. I like D'Virgilio as a drummer more than a vocalist. He drummed with Genesis after Collins left and is solid behind the kit. I also like Alan Morse as a guitarist, I think he puts together some interesting solos, but for me brother Neal is perhaps why I am not a bigger Beard fan. The dude is obviously a talented multi-instrumentalist but I don't think he always plays his voice to its strengths on some of the compositions and they, along with the arrangements, come across as overblown, bombastic, etc... a sound and fury signifying nothing if you will, but that's just me. The band has its moments though and of the Beard albums I have heard I thought Beware of Darkness and V were the strongest. Snow was awful imo so maybe check that out last.
