BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER

Actually you should have to erase another half star, following to a repetitive listen (if you are not tired at the end)...well I have already told you about my point of view regarding the music ideas by Neal Morse,above all in the period before his split from Spock's Beard (see also my review concerning the live by S.B. released on year 2000): that is a certain crisis and lack of freshness as well, within his recent compositions; and,even though my opinion is partially modified thanks to his good debut-solo work, I don't understand what's all the fuss about the present whole concept by Transatlantic!! The first suite has got a great mood at the beginning, by means also of its stunning crescendo in the vein of "The light", but the sense of tiredness begins to emerge: in fact- despite of the good range of dynamics- (thanks also to the cleverness by Portnoy on drums), the album is very prolix and such fact is disturbing me till the end!! The vocal parts by Roine Stolt are too much similar to those ones inside the Flower King's albums (above all in the period of "Retropolis") and probably the repetition concerning the arrangements and the main theme of the 1st suite, performed in the same manner by Neal Morse also in the second suite, doesn't let me change idea ... such concept becomes boring at the end, like that sound of a real transatlantic with its siren, which brings about my nervousness (it's a never ending effect!)

It's good in some circumstances, well performed in the majority of the instrumental breaks-through (especially if you listen to their technical execution), but anyway is not essential and, talking about the melodies and sometimes the harmonic solutions as well, the present concept album is not to be immortalized...make your own choice!!