SOLA SCRIPTURA

Yet another album by the prolific Neal Morse. After losing all his prog touch with his worship sessions, we can now thank god (ok bad pun, but intended) that he is back on track with a real prog album.

The album is titled "Sola Scriptura" which means "only the bible" (or something along those lines). And in the first song "The Door" it becomes apparent what he means by that. I'ts critisism towards the church as they sold "indulgences" in the the late Middle Ages. Obviously those indulgences where only a scheme to collect money from all god fearing people. This is not the only critisism that is expressed towards the church though.

It's not a god bash or anything though, Neal Morse is only trying to make clear that the belief is important and not the church around it. This song is really a song that says "Protestantism" is better than the other Christian faiths. Even as a non Christian I find this interesting. The other songs are faith reaffirming and a bit corny lyricwise.

The music as usual is great. It's bombastic, many many tempo changes excellent drumming by Portnoy and the keyboards are great as well. This album is less symphonic than we're used from Neal Morse though (at least that's how I experience it), it's a bit more prog metalish I'd say.

I think One is a better album, but this one surely is very interesting as well. If you like his other solo work (aside from the awful worship sessions albums) then you will surely like this.

Recommended to everyone, especially to Protestants (strict Catholics probably won't like this as they are somewhat getting bashed here).

4 stars from this pagan for Neal Morse and his latest work.