SOLA SCRIPTURA

I got this album earlier this morning and have already listened to it twice; I've never been able to place it, but the overshadowing clouds Neal will always create through his albums are flowing greater than ever: the musicianship, the emotion, the heartfelt message, it's all so powerful that the only thing left to memorialize is Neal Morse himself and the wide range of vocalism he articulates here.

With his work, yes, it's Christian-based, and he has made more well known the Christian-progressive scene, but whether you agree with his message, his religion or Christianity at all, you can't judge his work based on this coarse objection; judge the man on his work as a musician, not as a Christian. It's amazing how juvenile people can be when it comes to listening to Neal Morse, because he's probably one of the most passionate musicians out there today, and the fact that nobody seems to understand that simply because his work is primarily lent toward the Christian movement... I don't know, it baffles me. His voice is magnificent and he proclaims his passion for what he loves to beautifully, that to know there are some who don't approve of him is just ridiculous.

Judge him on his music, or his voice or his ability to play what he loves; don't continually debase the man for simply singing and writing about what he loves and feels truly in his heart. For myself, being an atheist altogether, I still get thoroughly moved by his music because of how deep he is and how much he believes in it. You can witness the experience he feels every time you see him life and you can feel his message because of the tone of his voice, and thus album is no different.

Now, I'm not going to lecture people. Like what you want and listen to what agrees with your taste; but for all of me, I love this album and I think it has been the greatest release of his solo career yet... save for "One," because "One" is just a complete masterpiece. If he ever tops "One," I don't think I'd be able to survive because of how remarkable it'll be. But no, do what you want. This record has powerful guitar passages, endearing lyrics, impeccable drumming (by fellow Dream Theaterian, Mike Portnoy) and submissive bass ability by the one, Randy George. Oh, and a magical performance by Paul Gilbert.

For Neal Morse, though, I'd be especially proud of this album. As much as I love "One," I think Morse wears his emotions on his sleeve a lot more loosely on this record. You can almost channel his thoughts as he wrote his passage and verse, and it's beautiful, man... it's just beautiful.

In closing, furthermore, I'd like to apologize for such a short review. Perhaps another time, I can delve more thoroughly my experience whilst listening to this; for now, however, all I can say is this: "Only by scripture," indeed: this will quite possibly be the album of the year, the album of unbridled passion.