Morse, Neal - Sola Scriptura


Year of Release: 2007
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: SPV 79362/IOMCD 269
Format: CD
Total Time: 76:02:00

Ah ? a new Neal Morse album!! I've been looking forward to this for quite some time and finally it's here! Let me tell you right now that gentlemen Morse, George, Portnoy & Gilbert really strut their stuff on this one. Anyone familiar with Morse's universe, already knows the superb musicians involved (otherwise ... what are you doing here?) Intro track "The Door," divided into 6 sections, is out of this world, full-tilt power prog, with all the trimmings that any prog freak could ever dream of. I kid you not, this epic that clocks in at some 29:14 minutes is pure joy to anyone that loves great and powerful prog music! This is masterclass prog music!! Every tone, every word, every well laid out chorus and chord brings this prog freak to the floor in awe!!!

This track alone is worth the price of the album! For those who might say: "Oh, no not another praise of God album?!" Yes it is, but hear me out, this is musically one of the best prog albums I've heard in years. And, in addition to that, so what if Morse feels the need to tell his point of view as a Christian?! There is absolutely nothing wrong with that (in my book); after all, it's all about living your life as a decent human being .. isnt it??! Anyway, this story is about the Augustian monk Martin Luther and his famous 95 theses, which apparently when sent to the Archbishop, led to much controversy, to say the least. The title of this album, Sola Scriptura is Latin for "Only according to the scriptures!" While I'm not well read on these matters, I think that the message comes across just fine. But what I do know and like is the fact that this album is simply supreme and anyone into fine prog music must own it! If you don't like the message in words, please have the decency to give the music a chance, for this is by far Morse's best outing to date (that should really make you curious ... otherwise, get someone to check your blood pressure!) If you like Spock's Beard, Transatlantic & Morse solo, then this album are pure gold!!

Track #2, "The Conflict," equally with 6 undersections, clocking in at some 25:00 minutes is supreme as well.

Is there more to this album? Why sure, the whole album is filled to the brim with excellent music and arrangements. Actually, I wouldn't expect less from Mr. Morse; he has, like no other prog musician/songwriter, grown, matured and delivered one after another masterpieces! This is his Tour de Force. As I've only mentioned half of the contents on this fine gem, you really have do some searching on your own, haven't you?! The only thing negative (and that's a harsh word) I can say is ? please Neal, don't give the excellent Paul Gilbert too much space. You don't wanna drown your fine music in super high speed guitar soloing (sorry Paul!)

Now, don't get me wrong, I think that Gilbert is excellent and he fits the band just fine. But it still has to sound like a Morse album!! Well finally, this gem holds 76:02 minutes of extremely great, beautiful and well composed music.

And what you need to do now ... is GET IT!!!

Tonny Larsen, who contributed this review, is the founder, reviewer, creative member and occasional interviewer at www.progplanet.com, the Danish site for progressive rock music. The text here has been slightly edited from the original -ed.


Tracklisting:
The Door: (29:14) Introduction / In The Name Of God / All I Ask For / Mercy For Sale / Keep Silent / Upon The Door // The Conflict: (25:00) Do You know My Name? / Party To The Lie / Underground / Two Down, One To Go / The Vineyard / Already Home // Heaven In My Heart (5:11) // The Conclusion: (16:34) Randy's Jam / Long Night's Journey / Re-Introduction / Come Out Of Her / Clothed With The Sun / In Closing...

Musicians:
Neal Morse - vocals, keyboards
Paul Gilbert - guitar
Mike Portnoy - drums
Randy George - bass

Discography:
Spock's Beard - The Light (1991)
Spock's Beard - Beware of Darkness (1995)
Spock's Beard - The Beard Is Out There Live (1995) (cd/vid)
Spock's Beard - Official Live Bootleg (1996)
Spock's Beard - The Kindness of Strangers (1997)
Spock's Beard - From The Vault - 1995-1998 (1998)
Spock's Beard - Day For Night (1999)
Spock's Beard - Live At The Whiskey and NEARfest (1999)
Neal Morse (1999)
Spock's Beard - Don't Try This At Home (2000)
Merry Christmas From The Morse Family (2000)
Neal Morse and Nick D'Virgilio - Two Separate Gorillas - Live In Europe (2000)
Spock's Beard - V (2000)
Transatlantic - SMPTe (2000)
It's Not Too Late (2001)
Transatlantic - Live In America (2001)
Transatlantic - Bridge Across Forever (2001)
Transatlantic - Bridge Across Forever - Special Edition (2001)
Spock's Beard - Snow (2002)
Testimony (2003)
One (2004)
Lead Me Lord (Worship Sessions Volume One) (2005)
? (2005)
Morse Portnoy George - Cover To Cover (2006)
Sola Scriptura (2007)
?: Live (2007)
Lifeline (2008)
Testimony Two (2011)
Testimony 2: Live In Los Angeles (CD/DVD) (2011)
Cover 2 Cover (2012)
Momentum (2012)
Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment (2015)
Neal Morse Band - Alive Again Tour 2015 (2016)
Neal Morse Band - The Similitude Of A Dream (2016)
Neal Morse Band - Morsefest 2015 (CD/DVD) (2017)
Life & Times (2018)

Transatlantic - Live In America (VID) (2001)
Testimony Live (DVD) (2004)
Sola Scriptura And Beyond (DVD) (2008)
Neal Morse Band - Morsefest 2015 (BR) (2017)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: February 2nd 2007
Reviewer: Tonny Larsen
Score:
Artist website: www.nealmorse.com
Hits: 10897
Language: english

  

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Morse, Neal - Sola Scriptura
Posted by tlarz on 2007-02-03 05:58:06
My Score:


Hej you Guys (stephanie)...thanx for editing my review (again)...and sorry for the somehow amputated discography of Neal Morse. where were my thoughts?? It was late....i was drunk...i was blind momentarily.. take your pick...nayhow thanx again...take care. Tonny. Progplanet.