Figge-- The Beard is/was always about 'the songs' as much if not more than being proggy. That's their allure. They likely have lost out on MANY potential fans who figure them as this 'prog band'. don't know if you've heard any of their early material with Neal Morse at the helm. But if not-- you're missing some truely FAB music,bro. I can dig me some prog,but it has to have melody/song structure over endless 'look how weird I can sound' elements. Unfortunately,most prog comes under that category. The Beard has always concentrated on writing good songs first and foremost. This all said...they were always better with Neal as he's a master songwriter. tHis new cd is closer to the early stuff rhan they've come since he left. if you're diggin' this--def look into the first 5-6 releases. My fav is DAy For Night followed by V...fyi. T