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Neal Morse: Songs From November

Melodic Rock/AOR

4.5/5.0

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Metal Blade / Radiant Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 03.09.2014

Being the musical wizard that he is, you can expect composer and multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse to have more than a few new enchantments in his bag. Such is the case for his latest album, Songs From November, something different. Different in that this isn't the intricate melodic progressive rock that Morse has been doing for better than 25 years.

Neal Morse: deep in concentration.

Yet, this album finds Morse in familiar territory as it leans more toward AOR melodic rock. It's something more akin to the many pop rock and Christian praise albums, he cuts in between in all the prog work on his own or in collaboration with others. The fare is lighter, based much upon acoustic guitar and piano, then embellished, in the best sense, with symphonic strings. Notable are Love Shot An Arrow, Song For The Free, and My Time Of Dying. Like most everything he has touched sense his coming to faith in Jesus Christ, these songs offer some more of Neal's thoughtful spiritual reflection. The genius of Morse and his expression of his Christian faith it's unpreachy, yet authentic and sincere.

Sometimes this spiritual reflection take a more personal tone. Daddy's Daughter is charming song about father-daughter love in the context grace and family that should stir even the hardest heart. Because he is a master of many musical styles, some of his best soul searching thoughts are expressed in the music by which they're delivered. Heaven Smiled is an excellent example, where the arrangement flows from this light acoustic number to a warming traditional Gospel feeling, hymn-like in the closing vocal arrangements.

Regardless of your thoughts on faith, Songs From November is simply feel good music, lively and encouraging which was Morse's aim from the start. And, as usual, this album showcases, once more, what we've known all these years: Neal Morse is simply an extraordinary musician and composer, merely excerising his gifts to the glory of his creator. Easily recommended.

Neal Morse - "Heaven Smiled" Official Music Video

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Regardless of your thoughts on faith, Songs From November is simply feel good music, lively, and encouraging which was Morse's aim from the start.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]