? [AKA: QUESTION MARK]

This was in fact the first Neal Morse solo album I heard, and I loved it so much I had to buy the other two Morse/Portnoy/George outings (of course now he has another which I have yet to procure, but I'm sure I'll get round to it eventually). I can understand skepticism about this album if one had heard the 'One' album, say, first, but I would still nevertheless feel they were unjustified.

There are a couple of things I love about this album in particular which make it stand out as a masterpiece of progressive rock: 1) The concept. The album sets out to discuss the mysteries of God's character and how he interacts with mankind through the Bible. It is, undeniably, an incredibly high-minded concept, but there is, of course, nothing wrong with that in prog. Especially when the lyrics are so well done to support this concept. I find there's something both very beautifully honest and incredibly profound about Neal Morse's lyrics - none more so than on this album. Songs such as 'The Outsider' and 'Outside Looking In' discuss very poignantly the state of feeling outside God's grace, in contrast to those in movements such as 'Sweet Elation', in which the glorious ecstasy is described. The two 'Temple of the Living God' songs talk clearly about the difference in the nature of relationship with God before and after Christ, and the song 'Inside His Presence', which has certainly my favourite lyrics of all time, speaks movingly of how all is made new in Christ. 2) The intricate musical construction and intelligent use of repeated throughout the album as a whole. Well, pretty much enough said on that count.

This is a truly wonderful album. Get it now!

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