Morse, Tim - Transformation


Year of Release: 2007
Label: Amethyst Empire Productions
Catalog Number: 20131
Format: CD
Total Time: 63:45:00

My initial expectation of Tim Morse's Transformation CD was synthesizer based music, like Steve Roach, Robert Rich, etc. The album cover artwork has that kind of feel, the album title as well, even the label's name has that kind of feel?. So I was quite surprised when the first track leapt out of my speakers. This is progressive rock with progressive metal leanings? or, maybe it is progressive metal with progressive rock leanings? Either way it can prog hard. The perpetual mix analogy goes like this: Dream Theater, Magellan, Cairo, Rush, Yes and ELP, to greater or lesser degrees. I would posit that Morse and company, Mark Dean and Richie Zeller and guests, would identify more being called heavy progressive rock.

The Yes element probably shouldn't come as surprise -- Morse is the author of Yesstories: Yes In Their Own Words from St. Martin's Press (read more about) and of Classic Rock Stories: The Stories Behind The Greatest Songs Of All Time, also from St. Martin's Press. Morse also writes for/has written for Mix, Guitar World, Vintage Guitar, Keyboard and Bass Player magazines. However, the Yes element isn't the strongest; it's there in various keyboard passages, in the guitar playing, and in certain song structures, but nothing overt enough to think it's a long-lost track or even an homage. And yet, there are times when you can imagine Yes, perhaps most strongly on "Adrift" (which also has a Gabriel-era Genesis feel to it, too).

If ever the "everything but the kitchen sink" phrase applied to an album of varying moods and styles, this is it. As if this album is the answer to the question "what constitutes (symphonic based) progressive rock?" They leave no stone unturned here, and mix in heavier boulders. That doesn't suggest they've thoroughly answered the question, but perhaps a subset; key elements in a genre that is as vast as the songs are long? (though with but one exception, they are all under 10 minutes; some under 5).

Keyboards are prominent in the mix, and given that's bandleader Morse, of course, that's to be expected, and they appear in all sorts of configurations - e.g., Emersonian attacks, Wakemanesque widdlys, parpys, and tinklys? Dean plays some mean, searing and soaring guitar leads, throwing in some jazzy ("Temptation") and mellower acoustic ones, too ("Prelude," "Adrift," for example). Dean also provides propulsive drums, percussion and bass. Lead vocals are handled by Zeller, though Morse takes over on "Adrift" and "Apocalyptic Visions." Both have an able, pleasant but average singing voice; that is, nothing that stands out in a good or bad way, but they are well suited to the music? that is, there's nothing unique or distinctive in the way that Jon Anderson, Geddy Lee, Trent Gardner, etc., have.

ELP and Queen are evoked in "Prelude," a journey of 3-plus minutes that begins with solo acoustic guitar (nylon string played by Kurt Shiflet), switches to a rumbly organ passage, then segues from a classical piano motif to a baroque organ passage (a la Wakeman) and moves through something that recalls "Bohemian Rhapsody" and the guitar playing of Brian May (and somewhere, a kitchen sink, though it's not credited? just kidding). An acoustic underpinning continues in "Goodbye," a low key piece with a slightly pop-rock feel.

Two tracks, or parts of, met my expectations; firstly, the opening to "Apocalyptic Visions" - subtle, mournful keyboard washes that breathe wispily? When a parpy organ and throbbing bass take over, the atmospheric spell is broken, apocalypse is coming, in stages ? First we get mild chaos - Dean's soloing fleet fingeredly yet beautifully - then things get heavier, more frenetic (organ and drums), but still the end has not yet arrived. There's quite a bit more lead up, and then? the end comes at the end, as you might expect; some growly, destructive noises. It doesn't really go out with a bang, or a wimper, but something in between. This is the epic of the album at 16-plus minutes, and I expected something a more ? cataclysmic at the end?

"Ascension" is what I was expecting, too; this has a more spacey and expansive atmosphere - Jonn Serrie, for example. Perhaps because I'm in the midst of a marathon viewing of Stargate: SG1*, I couldn't help but think of the Ancients and Daniel Jackson's own ascension? Though this album, albeit a concept album, has nothing to do with the series.

Whilst it's an obscure reference - though I've reviewed them - I thought of Animator, an Illinois based group who released one album, Gallery back in 1990. Whereas Animator had a Marillion feel, Tim Morse's music does not, and so, to be more specific, it is of the first track off Gallery, "A First Impression," that comes to mind. And I think that a bit ironic, given what my first (sound unheard) impression was?

Although it wasn't what I expected, I am not disappointed. This is very well done album that taps all the right prog spots. And maybe that's its ? "flaw." That it sounds too much like the definition of symphonic prog and does not seem to do more with it, doesn't expand upon the genre? But on the other hand, that it doesn't make direct references takes it away from mere homage and is something of it's own? All of which kinds puts this in a nebulous state; I like it, I enjoyed listening to it (though perhaps "Apocalyptic" is a bit too long), but it hasn't bowled me over. And I think for others it will go down well, taste (sound) good at the time, but is a meal that will be forgotten. Repeating eating (listening) might ultimately leave a lasting impression, but?

* I got into the series at the end of Season 8? and had seen various earlier episodes here and there; but since this past July I've been watching, in order, every episode (about 2 per night); I am currently in the middle of Season 9.

Tracklisting:
Present Moment (6:16) / To Set Sail (7:14) / Prelude (3:26) / Goodbye (3:27) / Shatter (8:58) / Temptation (8:01) / Adrift (4:30) / Apocalyptic Visions (16:14) / Ascension (3:40)

Musicians:
Tim Morse - keyboards; lead vocals (7, 8), chorus vocals (4, 6), six-string guitars (7, 9)
Mark Dean - electric, acoustic, and 12-string guitars, drums and percussion, bass, backing vocals; bass keys (7), choir, spoken word and chant (5)
Richie Zeller - lead vocals, chant

Guests:

Scott Joss - violins
Kurt Shiflet - nylon string guitar (3)
Zae Tipitino - flute
Ami Romness - female choir
Jennifer Price - spoken voice (3)
Bert Morse - spoken voice (9)

Discography:
Transformation (2005)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: October 8th 2007
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.timmorse.com
Hits: 2573
Language: english

  

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