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NEAL MORSE

Symphonic Prog • United States


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Neal Morse biography
Neal R. Morse - Born August 2, 1960 (Van Nuys, California, USA)

As a young musician, Neal's dream was like many others-to find success in the pop music world. But after years of struggling in the LA singer-songwriter scene, he realized that his dream would not materialize. Eschewing conventional wisdom, Neal took a courageous step: he about-faced and devoted himself to progressive rock, the music truly in his heart. The obscure and fiercely competitive genre held little chance of commercial success. Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named SPOCK'S BEARD with his brother, Alan. They recorded "The Light" (1995) with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre's community.

Over the next 7 years, Spock's Beard released 6 critically acclaimed CDs, ascending to the top of the "prog" world. Neal also released 2 CDs and 2 live albums with TRANSATLANTIC, the heralded prog "supergroup" comprised of the world's finest prog musicians. The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he dreamed of. But something was missing. While on the outside Neal had it all; on the inside, something was missing. Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden - and like with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of "Snow" (2002), SPOCK'S BEARD's (with Morse) magnum opus and swan song.

The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group's finest. But it was the end of the era: Neal made the agonizing decision to leave SPOCK'S BEARD. After also leaving TRANSATLANTICc, the transformation was complete. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse began all over again; musically, emotionally and spiritually.
While SPOCK'S BEARD decided to continue without him, TRANSATLANTIC disbanded (though this would later turn out to be a hiatus. Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled "Testimony" (2003), it chronicles hi...
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NEAL MORSE discography


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NEAL MORSE top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.16 | 145 ratings
Neal Morse
1999
2.78 | 112 ratings
It's Not Too Late
2001
4.05 | 511 ratings
Testimony
2003
4.12 | 540 ratings
One
2004
4.20 | 685 ratings
? [Aka: Question Mark]
2005
2.91 | 69 ratings
God Won't Give Up
2005
2.35 | 54 ratings
Lead Me Lord - Worship Sessions Volume 1
2005
2.76 | 53 ratings
Send the Fire - Worship Sessions Volume 2
2006
2.96 | 97 ratings
Morse, Portnoy & George: Cover to Cover
2006
2.60 | 58 ratings
Songs from the Highway
2007
4.20 | 714 ratings
Sola Scriptura
2007
2.58 | 43 ratings
Secret Place - Worship Sessions Volume 3
2008
3.12 | 323 ratings
Lifeline
2008
2.67 | 45 ratings
The River - Worship Sessions Volume 4
2009
2.61 | 38 ratings
Mighty to Save - Worship Sessions Volume 5
2010
4.00 | 628 ratings
Testimony 2
2011
3.96 | 489 ratings
Momentum
2012
2.93 | 67 ratings
Morse, Portnoy & George: Cover 2 Cover
2012
3.33 | 42 ratings
The Prog World Orchestra: A Proggy Christmas
2012
2.97 | 95 ratings
Songs from November
2014
3.85 | 349 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: The Grand Experiment
2015
4.18 | 507 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: The Similitude of a Dream
2016
2.63 | 43 ratings
To God Be the Glory
2016
2.79 | 70 ratings
Life & Times
2018
3.97 | 341 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: The Great Adventure
2019
3.62 | 158 ratings
Jesus Christ The Exorcist
2019
3.10 | 31 ratings
Morse/Portnoy/George: Cov3r to Cov3r
2020
3.89 | 151 ratings
Sola Gratia
2020
3.96 | 167 ratings
NMB: Innocence & Danger
2021
3.81 | 63 ratings
The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One
2023
3.56 | 33 ratings
The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two
2024

NEAL MORSE Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.25 | 16 ratings
Nick 'n Neal: Two Separate Gorillas - Live in Europe (The "From the Vaults" Series Volume 2)
2000
3.78 | 64 ratings
? Live
2007
4.39 | 99 ratings
So Many Roads
2009
4.42 | 89 ratings
Testimony Two - Live in Los Angeles
2011
4.72 | 27 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: The Great Adventour Live in Brno - 2019
2020
5.00 | 6 ratings
Flying Colors & The Neal Morse Band: Morsefest 2019
2021
5.00 | 11 ratings
NMB: Morsefest 2021
2022
4.06 | 14 ratings
NMB: An Evening of Innocence & Danger - Live in Hamburg
2023

NEAL MORSE Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

4.51 | 101 ratings
Testimony Live
2004
4.37 | 102 ratings
Sola Scriptura and Beyond
2008
4.46 | 63 ratings
Live Momentum
2013
3.77 | 38 ratings
Morsefest! 2014: Testimony & One Live
2015
4.01 | 40 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: Alive Again
2016
3.96 | 27 ratings
Morsefest 2015
2017
3.93 | 26 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: The Similitude of a Dream - Live in Tilburg 2017
2018
4.63 | 16 ratings
Morsefest! 2017: Testimony Of A Dream
2018
3.38 | 13 ratings
Jesus Christ The Exorcist - Live at Morsefest 2018
2020

NEAL MORSE Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.88 | 37 ratings
The Transatlantic Demos
2003
2.14 | 10 ratings
Sing It High
2007
3.79 | 14 ratings
One Demos
2007
3.80 | 5 ratings
The Grand Experiment Demos (Inner Circle March 2016)
2016
3.05 | 3 ratings
The Neal Morse Collection
2019
4.00 | 3 ratings
The Neal Morse Band: The Neal Morse Band Collection
2019
3.08 | 5 ratings
Hope and a Future
2020
3.00 | 11 ratings
Morse/ Portnoy/ George: Cover to Cover Anthology (Vol. 1-3)
2020

NEAL MORSE Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

2.14 | 27 ratings
Merry Christmas From The Morse Family
2000
2.86 | 21 ratings
A Proggy Christmas
2011
3.00 | 1 ratings
Morsefest 2016 Storytellers (Pt. 1) - Inner Circle March 2018
2018
3.00 | 1 ratings
Morsefest 2016 Storytellers (Pt. 2) - Inner Circle May 2018
2018

NEAL MORSE Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2024
3.56 | 33 ratings

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The Restoration - Joseph: Part Two
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by Flucktrot
Prog Reviewer

3 stars I am writing this review directly after reviewing The Dreamer (Part One), and many of my critiques (both positive and negative) apply to this album, but only to the first 12 out of 16 tracks, because something very strange to my ears happens to close out the album, and thus I'll structure this review accordingly.

Highlights: My Dream, Dreamer in the Jailhouse, All Hail. Perhaps not surprisingly, the parts that involve Ross Jennings on this album are fantastic. These tracks remind me of some of my favorite, more sinister moments of Sola Gratia, and hearing Ross in there in spots helps the music feels especially fresh to ears that have listened to literally dozens of hours of Neal Morse music. One caveat: Neal's truly terrible falsetto in All Hail--that thing wasn't working 20 years ago and it has only gotten worse, and it's especially annoying because Neal literally has numerous other talented vocalists appearing at other points on this album who would have done a better job here.

Lowlights: tracks 5-11. Every time I listen to this section of the album, I honestly can't believe how bad it is. I don't throw around the word "bad" easily, and I don't think Neal does much that would be considered bad, but whether it's the too-tight-pants Ted Leonard vocals to the awkward vocal round exposition to the poor lyrics (rhyming "grain" with "insane"? Give me a break, Neal!), this is just one tough listen, every time through. You have been warned.

And now for something completely different: tracks 13-16. The Brothers Repent and Restoration is basically 10 minutes of musical whiplash: Here's Matt Smith! Here's NDV! Thanks for coming back Talon! Let's run back this previous theme, but only tease it...also, here's a Testimony-ish, latin-timbale break, but don't get your groove on, because it's back to another leitmotif. Is this objectively good? I don't know, but I think I like it, and I'm having fun. Also, anything I'm still caring about regarding the story seems to be wrapping up. Is it satisfactory? I don't know, but I think I'm done hearing about grain and polygamy, thank you.

Speaking of fun, then comes the real party: Everlasting. Party time. Let's kick up the tempo, get the backup vocalists rocking, get those timbales clanging, get all those Disney characters singing together...and don't forget your whistle...twice! Neal Morse is just Morse-ing the crap out of this. Is it a problem that we've kind of heard this before? Yes, a little bit, but it's still fun, so just go with it!

But unlike the Disney movie, Neal isn't done. At this point in his career, he appears to feel called to more proactively help people walk with God, rather than explaining it in his music and hoping God just takes it from there. I think that's what God Uses Everything for Good represents--just like former addicts rehearsing the Serenity Prayer in difficult times, if people who listen to this album remember nothing more than this simple mantra, perhaps this song might also help people in their most distressing moments.

I think this is ultimately pretty cool, but there are two problems--one thematic and one musical. First, I think that simple message is pretty clear to anyone who has made it to the end of the Joseph albums, so for someone like me, the music better make it worth the extra run time. Here's where this is a clear mixed bag: the closing minutes are truly epic, there's so much going on (strings, horns, harmonized vocals, heavy timpani and symbol swells) that it juuuuust starts to sound a little muddy. However, there is a bigger issue, which is that underlying melody sounds sooo close to a main Testimony melody that the first couple times I heard it, I couldn't help but hum that in my head instead.

Having said all of that, my experience with this album supports two potential conclusions. First, this to me sounds like a musician/composer who might be almost done--go out with a bang, taking all of your signature sounds and cranking them to 11. The other potential conclusion is that Neal is going to at least have to conclude this period of his writing, in which taking a biblical story and Morse-ing it up is at a point of clear diminishing returns.

Will Morse keep going to the drying well, or will he pivot and evolve? Or will he hang it up?

 The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2023
3.81 | 63 ratings

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The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by Flucktrot
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Being a huge Neal Morse fan, it is with some trepidation that I even write this review, but I also don't want to (at least completely) pigeonholed as reviewing only material that I love. This album seems to be polarizing, but not in the usual, "I don't like the Christian themes" way--instead, I think this album is polarizing because of the music. Specifically, for a concept album, I personally don't think this album holds together particularly well. I'm only slightly familiar with Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, so I'd like to think I'm not particularly biased in any direction in that regard.

First off, when I think of what I like most about Neal's work, my favorite stuff is the grand instrumental themes, which, when teased and supported with other interesting bits that lead to a fantastic crescendo, can rank up there with my favorite musical experiences. Hitting the sweet spot with this approach has obvious potential flaws: too much reliance on repeating or only slightly altered themes, and too much instrumental widdly wankery before you get to the good parts. As you can infer from that, I don't listen to Neal as much for the lyrics, story or concept (although I can feel uplifted by some of the positive, God-affirming moments).

Given that, this album perhaps was not ever going to be for my ears. There are few extended instrumental moments, and the most prominent one (the overture) I would characterize as just mildly interested, and only somewhat melodically linked to what comes later, at best. There is a clear story, and characters, and I find myself thinking about what's happening in the story, and how similar or different a section is to Dreamcoat, rather than just getting lost in good music. Perhaps that part of the intent in Neal's effort here.

Highlights: Before the World Was, Gold Dust City, Ultraviolet Dreams. Aside from the sheer ambition involving numerous guest musicians and vocalists, strings, horns, and multipart vocal harmonies, this album does have some top-notch tunes. Before the World Was is the best of Neal's new gospel trend, and building up to the Steve Morse trademark solo is awesome. Gold Dust City perhaps most effectively merges traditionally good music with the guest vocal and chorus strategy. Finally, Ultraviolet Dreams is another great track, highlighted by some crunchy, memorable guitar from Neal. There are other clear highlights to be found as well, from Talon David's work in Slave Boy (though I don't feel comfortable actually singing this lyric myself, or to picture a young woman seducing much, much older man) to the mega-man harmonies of Heaven in Charge (upwards of 6-parts, perhaps?).

The Dreamer is a great buy, no hesitation, due to the ambition, creativity, and quality production found within. However, it is a story-based album first and foremost, which is certainly fine, but the concept is not strong enough to overcome the uneven quality of the music in the end. Let's see where Part Two goes from here...

 NMB: Innocence & Danger by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2021
3.96 | 167 ratings

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NMB: Innocence & Danger
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by BBKron

5 stars Fantastic double album from Prog veterans The Neal Morse Band (Neal Morse-vocals, keyboards, guitar), Eric Gillette (guitars, vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums. vocals), Bill Hubauer (keyboards, vocals), Randy George (bass). Unlike their past couple albums, this one is not a big concept album with an overarching theme, but just a collection of songs, which seems to have freed the band to do more exploring and playing with different styles and sounds, resulting in some more varied and interesting tracks. But the album is still divided into 2 distinctly different sets: Disc 1 (Innocence) consists of 8 'shorter' songs (3-8 minutes each) of varying styles, some more poppy, some more jazzy, etc., but all with strong melodies and virtuoso playing, culminating in a great progressive adaptation of Paul Simon's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water). Disc 2 (Danger) consists of 2 epic Prog tracks, 'Not Afraid Pt.2' (nearly 20 min). and 'Beyond the Years' (more than 30 min), both of which are just fantastic and shows what great bands can do with multi-part, extended length tracks. Whereas disc 1 is very good, disc 2 just takes off and soars with these incredible epic tracks, running the gamut from classical, blues, rock, jazz, pop, all worked into cohesive songs. A highpoint in this band's already impressive discography. 4.5 stars
 The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2023
3.81 | 63 ratings

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The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars When I saw the latest Neal Morse solo album was another Christian musical I inwardly groaned, as his 'Jesus Christ The Exorcist' is probably the weakest he has been involved with in all his musical ventures. I have loved his concept albums, both secular and Christian, yet that one managed to fail on so many levels. It may still be a good album but there was just something about which did not gel. Now, I may not be a religious person in any way, but when I was younger I saw my fair share of Christian musicals and loved both 'Godspell' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar', while Neal's own 'Testimony' album is a triumph, so the religious aspect has never worried me, but how would he approach a story made so familiar even to those who do not read the Bible thanks to Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber?

In his own imitable way, that's how. Here we find Neal fully back on form with one of his most powerful concept albums ever, which in places also reminds me of his wonderful 2002 album, 'It's Not Too Late'. That may not be one of his most proggy, recorded mostly by himself with Nick D'Virgilio, but there are bits and pieces here which remind me of that. He, of course, plays the role of Joseph and has been joined by Ted Leonard (Spock's Beard) as Judah, Matt Smith (Theocracy) as Reuben, Jake Livgren (Proto-kaw, Kansas) as the slave driver, Talon David (who appeared on 'Jesus Christ The Exorcist') as Potiphar's Wife, Wil Morse (Neal's son) as Simeon and Mark Pogue as Jacob. Among the musicians are Eric Gillette and Steve Morse, while drummer Gideon Klein also deserves a special mention. This does not feel like one of his more recent solo releases but takes us back to his early solo days when he was full of confidence of having done the right thing of leaving Spock's Beard and surrounding himself with top musicians to produce a series of albums which showed a direct continuation of 'Snow'.

Interestingly, this album has received a variety of different reviews in that some love it while others think it is quite weak, but there is no doubt in my mind that it has put his last Christian opera deeply in the shade and I for one cannot wait for part two. Here is a rock opera full of passion and wonderful complex and complicated prog which is Morse to the core. If you have enjoyed any of his work over the last thirty years, then this is essential.

 The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2023
3.81 | 63 ratings

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The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by strangelybrown

4 stars As is so often the case with Neal, this record - for me - took a few listens for it to fully marinate - much like with Sola Gratia and even TSOAD. In my humble opinion it is yet again a great album of feel-good prog rock.

Before The World Was, Wait on You and the last track are total Morse classics. Such emotive vocals and pleasing chord sequences. Not crazy about a couple of them but you can't have everything! Long live the one semitone down key change! (which has such an epic effect, and was previously used at the end of Sola Gratia after its guitar solo)

Can't wait to see him at Morsefest UK!

 NMB: An Evening of Innocence & Danger - Live in Hamburg by MORSE, NEAL album cover Live, 2023
4.06 | 14 ratings

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NMB: An Evening of Innocence & Danger - Live in Hamburg
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

4 stars Recorded in Hamburg on their 2022 tour to promote the 'Innocence & Danger' album which was released the previous year, we again find Neal Morse Neal Morse (vocals, keyboards, guitar) in the company of Eric Gillette (guitar, vocals), Bill Hubauer (keyboards, vocals), Randy George (bass, bass pedals, vocals), and Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals). Of course, this being a live album we expect it to be fairly lengthy, and we are not disappointed as this is a triple CD set with a running time of nearly 2 ½ hours. The gig itself was divided in two, so we get eight shorter songs (seven of which are from the latest album ) followed by the two epics from 'Innocence & Danger' before it concludes with the "The Great Similitude Medley" which features highlights from the band's previous two records 'The Great Adventure' and 'The Similitude of a Dream'.

This means that anyone into Morse is going to find plenty on here to enjoy. I was lucky enough to see the original line- up of Spock's Beard a few times, before first seeing Neal on his amazing 'Testimony' tour, which of course also featured Randy and Mike, his long-time sparring partners. That he is one of the most important songwriters and performers to have come into the prog scene in the last 30 years is never in doubt, and the album is all one would expect. I have no idea how many live albums I have featuring Neal (the technical terms is "lots") and he always seems perfectly at home no matter who he is performing with. However, there are some times when it is appears he is almost performing to his own formula, and while there are plenty of fans there who love what he did to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" I must confess to not being in the same boat, as there was something magical about the original which has been lost here. However, that can almost be forgiven when we get into the last three numbers, which have a running time of 22 minutes, 34 and 30 respectively. It is when he allows himself to fully expand and go full prog that he really comes to life as he creates music which is dynamic, full of contrast and power, and it is these where the listener can truly be lost inside.

That this is a great album is never in doubt, but due to the material it is never totally indispensable, albeit thoroughly enjoyable at all times. It is nice to listen to, but there are other live albums of his which are superior.

 The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2023
3.81 | 63 ratings

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The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by AlanB

3 stars Is Neal Morse trying to emulate Andrew Lloyd-Webber? A few years ago he released a rock opera based on the life of Jesus, now he turns his attention to Joseph (yes, he of the technicolor dreamcoat). So what to make of this latest release?

The first thing to say is that only one member of the Neal Morse band is utilised here. Eric Gillette contributes some drum parts and one guitar solo. Most of the vocalists from Jesus Christ The Exorcist are involved, and I have to pick out Talon David (who sang Mary Magdalene in JCtE) for particular praise. Here she sings the part of Potiphar's wife on three tracks. Slave Boy is the outstanding one for me. If there is any justice in this world, this young lady should have a stellar career. What a voice!

As for the quality of the music, I would put this as middling in Neal's catalogue. Not up to the heights of Sola Scriptura, Question mark and Similitude, or even its predecessor JCtE, but pretty good nonetheless. Top tracks Gold Dust City, Slave Boy and Heaven In Charge Of Hell. Disappointing tracks the Overture and its reprise, it's not one of Neal's best overtures.

The CD only tells half the story, leaving Joseph in prison after being wrongly accused of sexual assault. Part 2 is due out next year.

 Sola Scriptura by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2007
4.20 | 714 ratings

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Sola Scriptura
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by PriestOfCyrinx

5 stars I have been listening to this album for years, and have heard nearly all of Neal Morse's discography. This one is by far my favorite of all of his work (from what I have heard so far).

This is the album I would definitely use to try to introduce people to Neal's style. In my opinion this album showcases all of his best elements at the top of their form.

The album is so well structured musically from start to finish. The power of the music can be felt from the get-go with beautiful melodies, hard hitting guitar riffs, and inspirational lyrics. The sections done by the master guitarist Paul Gilbert are 2 of my favorite moments on the album, especially the flamenco section (Two Down, One to go).

In closing, I strongly believe this album is a masterpiece in that it has a little something that would appeal to almost any prog fan!

 Momentum by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2012
3.96 | 489 ratings

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Momentum
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by Sidscrat

4 stars I am amazed that after seeing so many artists reviewed on this site, I am impressed to see so many 4 and 5 star reviews of Neal Morse's music. I do not normally see this on other artists' albums consistently. I do have to admit he has his niche in this genre pegged. Being a fan first and foremost of early prog I grew weary of artists that came after trying to reignite a candle that had already run its course. The instrumentation was usually more of the same and there was not much new ground forged.

But then came bands like Pendragon, Dream Theatre, Galleon and others who really started taking prog to a different level and Spock's Beard was one of those bands. Neal was one of the chief songwriters and the albums in his time (Other than Snow) were the best in my opinion. When he became born again I was expecting the usual contemporary Christian music but NO! This guy launched into full scale prog warfare and I am astonished that even today (2022) he is still putting out amazing stuff. Surrounded by top notch musicians, he cranks this stuff out with amazing creativity. Not all of it warrants a WOW rating but no artist does.

Mike Portnoy sticks by his side even today and he plays his instrument as though he was a lead guitarist so much of the great reviews are not just the songwriting but the people who are putting it out. Their work with Transatlantic and now Flying Colors continues his streak of fresh music.

Before I review this album I am going to address artist creativity and their choices on themes and topics. My intention is not to offend any of the esteemed members of this amazing site but to point out that prog is not limited to certain topics. I am someone who doesn't normally listen much to lyrics. I have trouble understanding the words. Since I am a classically trained musician, I tend to listen to prog for the instrumental talent but I do take note of the lyrical content.

I am a Christian but spent over half my life not being one so I have been on both sides of the argument of faith- based lyrics. I applaud Neal for being bold in his music. I am not a big fan of most Christian music as it is so repetitive without much emphasis on instrumentation.. Neal is someone who goes deeper in the lyrics than most artists and he is one of the few prog Christian artists and the best in my opinion. It is important to remember that the artist puts out music as a reflection of who they are so it is very personal to them so when we criticize that we forget that the words are not necessarily meant for the listener. Sure, he wants the words to affect us but there are only so many who will be affected in a positive way. I feel he is challenging us to look within at what we believe and most non-Christian artists do the same thing with their music when they write about causes and suffering and other things that they believe in.

There are many artists whose themes are very dark and even satanic in nature. I believe I cannot be critical of one and praise the other as a measure of the talent and quality of the instrumentation and songs themselves. That is me. I listen to artists who put out music whose lyrics I disagree with as that is their choice and I accept the music for its merits. I could be "offended" since it goes against what I believe but I choose to allow the artist their freedom to choose and see their talent as God given.

I think a testament to his music is that so many here on this site have rated his works with 4 and even 5 stars even though his lyrics may rub them the wrong way. So thank you for being objective in the content of the music.

As far as the album is concerned, it is pretty good but not among his absolute best. The title track comes out of the shoots strong and could qualify as a hit single if it were cut down. Again the instrumentation is full bore on this album and Portnoy's drums on this song are punchy and tight. "Thoughts Pt 5" is another part he does to rehash and add to the SB song. I like the sudden changes in it as it keeps me surprised from one moment to the next. "Smoke & Mirrors" and "Weathering Skies" do not do much for me. These 2 tracks seem to drag the album down some. "Freak" is bit abrasive and the lyrics are clever. I think many of us can relate to it. The highlight is "World Without End" and it soars from one part to the next. It is more predicable and classic Neal but it is delivered well. I love the radical opening; Adson Sodre's guitar work is stellar.

The guitar work is fantastic through the album and Randy George's bass work fits well with Mike's drumming. It is like listening to a bunch of lead players all at once! I do love the fact that Neal doesn't hog the show with his own instruments and allows each member to play off their leashes! I would consider this work as a weak 4.

 NMB: Innocence & Danger by MORSE, NEAL album cover Studio Album, 2021
3.96 | 167 ratings

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NMB: Innocence & Danger
Neal Morse Symphonic Prog

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars The Neal Morse Band ride again on this fourth studio album. Having spent a while in concept album land with their two releases (The Similitude of a Dream and The Great Adventure), this finds them enjoying the freedom to just cook up a brace of great songs and not worry too much about conceptual structure.

The two concept albums saw the songwriting pendulum creep somewhat more towards Neal Morse, and indeed between The Great Adventure and this the band put out Sola Gratia, a concept album under Neal's own name rather than under the Neal Morse Band flag, because that was entirely written by Neal and the band were just there to enact his vision. By contrast, there seems to have been an attempt here to correct that balance - Neal deliberately didn't turn up without any demos of his own, so as to give more space for the other band members' ideas after they'd indulged him with that piece and the two John Bunyan concept albums (the latter of which had been largely demoed by Neal before the band got involved). Indeed, a chunk in the middle of Not Afraid (Part 2) is improvised on the spot!

Between these two factors, then, one might expect the album to be a bit broader in stylistic range and something of a sonic depature, and you get exactly that here. The group have always shared vocal duties, but it feels like they go out of their way here to bring that diversity of voices to the fore, making this a real breath of fresh air. It's clearly a departure from the conceptually structured John Bunyan duology, where Neal ended up exerting a lot of influence over the "big picture" structure of the compositions even though the band all contributed ideas, but because other band members brought their demos to the table their material has the chance to get a bit more polish than the ideas on The Grand Experiment (where *nobody* brought demos and the whole point was to see if they could create an album working together right there in the studio).

There's only two real exceptions to this very democratic working approach. Emergence is a short piece composed by Neal alone, knocked out at a time when the band were contemplating taking the Fragile approach and including solo numbers from each member, whilst there's also a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, which is a nice fit for Neal and the group's obvious appreciation of the sunny 1960s sounds which fed into the early prog scene.

It's also, perhaps, the clue to where the band are coming from this time - for their approach to covering the material owes a fair amount to Yes's cover of America, and between that and toying with the idea of basing the album's structure on Fragile, this album feels a little like a Neal Morse Band take on Yes - not in terms of blandly imitating Yes's classic style (though there's obviously influence which can be detected here and there), but recapturing that sunny, optimistic, ethereal atmosphere which permeates the best Yes material. (Even the album title might hint to this - "Innocence" and "Danger" being two qualities which might go with the idea of being "Fragile"...)

I don't think it quite holds together as well as prior Neil Morse Band albums - in particular, I think the conclusion to Beyond the Years drags on too long - but it's still a very enjoyable prog album, and one which leaves me interested to see what they do next.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to NotAProghead for the last updates

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