TESTIMONY

Neal Morse

Symphonic Prog

4.05 | 517 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Hear the word

What a terrific album. Morse's well publicised simultaneous departure from Spock's Beard and Transatlantic due to his religious awakening had many fearing the worst for both those bands, and for Morse himself. While Transatlantic appear to sadly now be defunct, it's good to see that Spock's Beard have found a new lease of life without their main man.

As for Morse, he uses this his first solo album since going solo (but not his first solo album if you follow me!) to bear his soul (literally) over a double CD. The lyrics are clearly very personal, and written from the heart. The music however has been the subject of no less effort, and that's what makes this album so damn good.

Whether or not you have the slightest interest in Morse's rebirth is as irrelevant as it was when Rick Wakeman decided you wanted to learn about "The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table". At the end of the day, it's whether you like what you hear that matters. Yes, at times Morse can appear to preach a bit, such as on "Sing it high", but above all this is a fine prog album. The melodies are stronger and more diverse than when he was with Spock's Beard and there are plenty of superb instrumental breaks. Morse's singing, which can at times be weak, is about as tuneful as he has ever got.

While a host of musicians support him this is very much a solo album, with the other musicians performing backing duties.

This album will be a challenge for many, Morse does not attempt in anyway to disguise the subject matter, quite the opposite in fact. It is therefore incumbent upon the listener to set aside any personal prejudices, and hear it for what it is, quite simply an essential prog rock album.

Easy Livin | 5/5 | 2004-5-2

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