Search - Neal Morse :: Neal Morse

Trimming the Beard!

Jon Berger | Oslo, Norway | 02/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Neal Morse, creative genius behind the best prog-band in the world right now, Spock's Beard, does popmusic! And does it well! All in all, an excellent solo outing from the man more known for penning 15 minute epics. This album features more of the wonderful melodic harmonies and songs you'll find buried within the huge Spock's Beard compositions. For a comparison - think about stuff like "June" from "Day for Night", yeah, that's where this album is. And the icing on the cake? The one incentive to get those "we hate pop-music" Beard fans out there to check this out? Well, the man finishes the album off with a 22 minute epic, "A Whole Nother Trip", that will have you waiting for the new Beard album with more eager anticipation than before.Btw, Neal Morse will soon issue the "Transatlantic" album with Roine Stoltz from the Flowerkings, Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater and Pete Trewavas from Marillion. How's that for a Dream Team!"

Emotional, funny, clever, catchy music

Just Bill | Grand Rapids, MI United States | 09/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Neal Morse is one of the most talented musicians on the planet these days. Not only is he the driving force behind the immensely popular Spock's Beard, but he's also the creative go-to guy in Transatlantic, the "super group" comprised of Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings, and Pete Trewavas of Marillion.This, his first solo album (released in 1999), is powerful music, albeit of a different kind than that recorded by the aforementioned bands.Temporarily forsaking his progressive side, Neal focuses his attention on composing eight wonderful pop-oriented songs that appear to be an homage to life in all its fits, starts, and heartaches.When I first heard this CD two years ago, I was going through a tough time in my life. So when I listen to it now, the songs are somewhat painful because they take me back to that time. But I remember clearly why this CD was so important to me then. Some of the songs uplifted me and gave me hope ("Living Out Loud," for example, or "That Which Doesn't Kill Me")...some made me laugh my ... off ("Lost Cause" or "Nowhere Fast")...and some made me sob ("Emma" or "Landslide"). Neal has a voice that's almost hard for me to listen to. Not because it's bad; rather, because it seems to touch me deeply and awaken feelings I've tucked away in a dark corner somewhere. It's emotional. It's poignant. I can't describe it other than to say his voice sounds like I feel inside all the time -- part whimsical, part sad, completely passionate and remarkably vulnerable.Now that I find myself going through another tough time (breaking up is, indeed, hard to do), I've picked up Neal's CD again...and I'm letting its magic wash over me the way it did once before.This is wonderful music, and a flawless CD. Please do yourself a favor and buy a copy of it. Pour yourself a glass of wine, light a couple of candles and let these songs touch your soul.I guarantee they will."

There's hope for pop after all...

L. Renaud | Houston, TX USA | 03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't particularly like pop music, and there are good reasons for that. Most pop music nowadays it's absolutely boring and uninteresting, completely unoriginal, and it's made with the sole purpose of selling copies. I find the genre of progressive music to be a far more artistic, powerful and beautiful expression of the human soul. It's been so long since I listened to a good pop record that I had forgotten how enjoyable it could be when it's done the right way, just like Neal Morse has done on his two solo projects.
In this album the genius from Spock's Beard has managed to put together a collection of very refreshing and hypnotizing pop songs. Fans of the Beard will find that the music is very similar to the short light tunes that can be found in some of their albums, such as All on a Sunday, June, and Healing Colors of Sound. The instrumentation is lighter and not as complex but enjoyable nonetheless. The album features a series of very energetic pieces and a couple of outstanding ballads, which are probably my favorites. It also contains a final longer composition with multiple sections and rhythm changes that fans of Spock's Beard should definitely listen to.
This album however, is not in the same category as those of Spock's Beard. This is no masterpiece. Neal Morse's real talent can be truly appreciated only by listening to the Beard's albums. I'm giving this record a five star rating not because of a technical and objective evaluation but because it's so refreshing and agreeable. It contains music that you can enjoy without having to think about it. The songs will have you singing out loud while you drive. The tunes are captivating and will remain in your head long after you stop your CD player. Isn't that what pop music should be all about?"