Are Non-Christians Able To Enjoy Neal Morse Music?

I'm not really fond of religion and all, however it doesn't really bother me if the music has some religious themed lyrics... at least not so much. From Neal Morse, it bothers me more that the few things I have heard from him can become rather predictable and not particularly exciting. That said, I do love some Transatlantic, specially "The Whirlwind", which is one of my favourite albums, and I believe it does has it's religious themes and all, though I don't really make so much sense out of it (nor have I tried, really). I would say satanic themes on music bother me much more than christian ones, though.

I was raised Catholic, but more follow Christian teachings these days, so I’m not simply giving Neal a `pass’ because I share many of his beliefs.

I think if you’re a prog fan, you’re going to at least be able to enjoy the `proggy’ arrangements, soloing, etc, if you like that obvious kind of symphonic prog. His music is always melodic and energetic, the guy has a killer ear for great melodies and slick vocals, so there’s plenty to admire on the surface with his solo music.

As for the lyrics, I will say that there’s one thing people constantly get wrong and accuse him of, and that is `Neal is pushing his agenda on us, forcing his beliefs on us’ etc etc, which is completely wrong. All Neal is doing is offering something that HE personally believes in, and he’s never pointed the finger and condemned anyone who doesn’t think the way he does. I find that completely honest, and I greatly admire someone who writes about something he so passionately believes in. I also think he made the right choice leaving Spock’s Beard, knowing that he wanted to offer those kind of lyrics/themes without forcing them on the band’s general audience (although to be fair, `Snow’ is RIFE with Christian lyrics and themes, hardly subtle at all! )

Another example could be, do you believe the `hippy/dippy’ words that Jon Anderson writes on the classic Yes albums, or the sci-fi tales of Rush and Eloy, etc, or the Pothead Pixies beliefs of the classic Gong period? If you’re a non-believer, then I don’t think there’s much really difference between the nonsense fantasy cosmic words of those groups and the `fantasy fairy-tales’ that many Atheist’s dismiss Christian and religious teachings and stories as being! So if you can accept those, it’s pretty much `more of the same’!

I worship toilet brushes and still find artists like Neal Morse and Deathspell Omega truly captivating. I was also fed substandard dogfood at a very young age 

^ Hey! How did you know about the toilet brushes? I thought i was so secretive 

^ Whew! At least my fetishes for spatulas are still safely underground 

I am an atheist (since my teens) but I enjoyed the Question Mark and Sola Scriptura albums quite a lot a few years ago. Generally I find the same problem with Neal Morse (and Spocks Beard too) that I find with many modern prog bands, that he seems to be relying on the (nostalgic?) influence of older prog rock (I guess direct parallels with Yes, Gentle Giant and Genesis' styles). Ultimately I find much of his work to be a bore 

Edited by Thatfabulousalien - December 28 2016 at 23:28

Tapfret wrote: Are pessimists able to enjoy Yes?

Many metalfans loathed Stryper, because of their christian lyrics, although they are one of the best hardrockbands around.

Dean wrote: I'd say that Pendragon has some somewhat broad-based spiritual lyrics but I'd not call them christian as such.

Edited by Kingsnake - December 29 2016 at 03:24

I've no interest in religion, but good music is just good music. Ignore the 'message' and listen to the notes and how the music is composed. Simples.