Let's hear it for Dave and the rest of the Spock's Beard posse - you guys rock! Can't wait for "Snow"...
I dig Meros's playing. Don't dig the nasal Ric tone much, though. Actually, I dig all of their playing, they're a great band in that respect. Many times they hit the head on the songwriting issue as well, but not all the time. I was disappointed in "V" and "Kindness of Strangers", but I really enjoy "Beware of Darkness" and "The Light". Haven't heard the other stuff yet.
Dave's nasaly tone is toned down somewhat on Snow. He's using a different Ric on this one that he's somehow modded. I thought his old biting tone was an integral component to Spock's sound. I really miss it on the new album. There are also less hooks and signature "weirdisms" by the band on Snow than on previous efforts. It is a good album, though, but it's not as good to me as V or The Light. Somebody's going to love it, though. I notice Spock's Beard fans have the most varying reasons why they love the band than any other.