LIFELINE

Lifeline is Neal Morse's first solo studio album that is not a concept album, but this does not hinder the project in any way. It has more short ballads and some softer sounds, but also contains two lengthier & heavier synth prog masterpieces. Lyrically the CD is strong, remaining consistent with Morse's journey through christianity.

Technically this album is very strong, as one would expect from anything featuring Morse and Mike Portnoy, and Randy George supplies solid bass guitar musings. The CD is more reminiscent of Testimony than Sola Scriptura, and more profound than either. Morse brilliantly continues the valiant struggle to establish modern symphonic progressive rock music which appears to be slowly disappearling from the prog landscape. Long gone are the symph hey-days of '67-'74. Apparently symph appeals-not to the industry conglomerates of today.

I rate this album 4.5 stars but will enter a 5 star rating here as I believe Morse has earned the benefit of the doubt. If you like symph, buy this album. You won't regret it.