Search - Neal Morse :: Testimony

Neal Morse - Possibly The Greatest Christian Rock Album Ever

Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 10/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just in case you are not familiar with him, Neal Morse is the former leader of Spock's Beard, one the more successful progressive rock bands to emerge in the late 90's. Morse decided to leave the band and pursue a solo career of Christian progressive rock with this release. This is not his first solo album, but it is the first of his Christian era. I am not really an expert on Christian rock, but I have to say, of the albums I have heard, this one may be the best ever. The album basically tells Neal's story about his history (both before and during Spock's Beard) and his eventual conversion to Christianity. The album does get quite preachy in spots, which may turn off non-believers, but I personally think that this is an album that just about anyone can enjoy regardless of religious convictions. Morse is a master story teller, songwriter and musician, and all of his strengths are played out over the course of these two discs. The album is a bit on the long side, and probably could have been pared down a bit, but there is not a lot of filler to be found here either. Morse's music is all over the place with classic progressive rock being the main anchor, but he delves into a little bit of everything along the way. I especially enjoy the tracks that tell his autobiographical journey of trying to make it in the Los Angeles music scene of the 80's and 90's. His search for meaning in life is again a universal theme that I think people of all (or no) faith can relate. Pretty much everything Morse touches turns to gold, but I think this may be his best solo work. Just outstanding all the way around."