Ranking Neal Morse's Prog Albums - Progressive Rock Music Forum

I've been a huge fan of Neal Morse's solo career since I discovered his albums soon after coming across Transatlantic for the first time. Here I'm attempting to rank his solo (and Neal Morse Band) prog albums in my personal order of preference. Comments appreciated.

1 = Sola Scriptura

1 = Question mark

Try as I might I can't separate these two. They were the first of Neal's albums I heard and still think he's never bettered them. The live versions on the Morsefest 2015 set are even better than the studio albums.

3. Jesus Christ The Exorcist.

This one divides people's opinions, I really love it.

4. The Similitude Of A Dream

Mike Portnoy famously claimed that this was the best album he and Neal had done together. Clearly I don't agree as I've put Sola and ? ahead of it, but it's still a great album.

5. The Grand Experiment

The first Neal Morse band album ranks high because of the brilliant epic Alive Again, as well as the also excellent mini epic The Call and the beautiful Waterfall. It's let down a little by the other two tracks.

6. The Dreamer - Joseph Part 1

I've been listening to this one on Spotify whilst waiting for Amazon to deliver the CD. First impressions are very good.

7. Testimony 2

A pretty decent main disc, just the right length, but what raises this album up in my estimation is the epic Seeds Of Gold on the bonus disc. One of my three favourite Neal epics (The Door and Alive Again being the others)

8. Innocence and Danger

A good selection of songs on Disc 1 (I love what they did with Bridge Over Troubled Water) and a couple of decent epics

9. The Great Adventure

A decent follow up to Similitude but not as good

10. Sola Gratia

Probably suffered by being written in lockdown without Neal's usual collaborators being physically present

11. One

Has its moments, but there's too much that doesn't grab me. Cradle To The Grave is one of my favourite songs, though.

12. Testimony

This was highly rated by fans when first released, but I just find it too long. Neal does an abridged version live (Testimedley) which is brilliant.

13. Momentum

Disappointing. Includes one of his least impressive epics and a really boring acoustic song. My favourite cut is Freak because it's different to a lot of his other stuff and gives out Eleanor Rigby vibes.

14. Lifeline

The only Neal Morse studio prog album that I've never purchased. Having heard most of the songs it just doesn't appeal.

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miamiscot Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: April 23 2014 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 3566	Post Options Post Reply Quote miamiscot Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Ranking Neal Morse's Prog Albums Posted: August 14 2023 at 13:34

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AlanB Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 19 2013 Status: Offline Points: 1158	Post Options Post Reply Quote AlanB Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: August 14 2023 at 07:22
	I've been a huge fan of Neal Morse's solo career since I discovered his albums soon after coming across Transatlantic for the first time. Here I'm attempting to rank his solo (and Neal Morse Band) prog albums in my personal order of preference. Comments appreciated. 1 = Sola Scriptura 1 = Question mark Try as I might I can't separate these two. They were the first of Neal's albums I heard and still think he's never bettered them. The live versions on the Morsefest 2015 set are even better than the studio albums. 3. Jesus Christ The Exorcist. This one divides people's opinions, I really love it. 4. The Similitude Of A Dream Mike Portnoy famously claimed that this was the best album he and Neal had done together. Clearly I don't agree as I've put Sola and ? ahead of it, but it's still a great album. 5. The Grand Experiment The first Neal Morse band album ranks high because of the brilliant epic Alive Again, as well as the also excellent mini epic The Call and the beautiful Waterfall. It's let down a little by the other two tracks. 6. The Dreamer - Joseph Part 1 I've been listening to this one on Spotify whilst waiting for Amazon to deliver the CD. First impressions are very good. 7. Testimony 2 A pretty decent main disc, just the right length, but what raises this album up in my estimation is the epic Seeds Of Gold on the bonus disc. One of my three favourite Neal epics (The Door and Alive Again being the others) 8. Innocence and Danger A good selection of songs on Disc 1 (I love what they did with Bridge Over Troubled Water) and a couple of decent epics 9. The Great Adventure A decent follow up to Similitude but not as good 10. Sola Gratia Probably suffered by being written in lockdown without Neal's usual collaborators being physically present 11. One Has its moments, but there's too much that doesn't grab me. Cradle To The Grave is one of my favourite songs, though. 12. Testimony This was highly rated by fans when first released, but I just find it too long. Neal does an abridged version live (Testimedley) which is brilliant. 13. Momentum Disappointing. Includes one of his least impressive epics and a really boring acoustic song. My favourite cut is Freak because it's different to a lot of his other stuff and gives out Eleanor Rigby vibes. 14. Lifeline The only Neal Morse studio prog album that I've never purchased. Having heard most of the songs it just doesn't appeal.