TESTIMONY

I have to say I really respect Neal Morse's spiritual journey. Even more I respect making an album in praise to God; it's one of the greatest gifts one could offer. While I'm sure that God really appreciates it; I'm also equally sure that I don't. I see no progressive value in this whole album besides moments in the Overtures. The rest is very boring Christian pop. There's splashes of country, gospel, and rock in their but the whole thing is very cheesy and very poppy. There's some high calibur guests here who do very well. The playing across the board is pretty good, but that doesn't change what they're playing. The strangest thing about this album is how sterile it is. I'm sure Neal really poured his heart into this record for his creator, but none of that emotion resonates with the listener. Any emotion went straight from his heart to God's and made no pitstop in mine. Another strange aspect are Neal's vocals. He's never been a good vocalist, but he was at the apex of his vocal talent a few year prior on Transatlantic and here he is at the lowest he's been since The Light.

I don't feel I need to go into more detail about this album. The only compliment I can give the album is that it's long. You'll get alot of quantity for your money. Listening to this I don't even know what a Spock's Beard fan would find enjoyable in this. I don't think it even displays much of Morse's style. I would stay away from this album. It is so cold despite conveying a subject matter that should be anything but that.