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Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A ...
Neal Morse & The Resonance - No Hill For A Climber Album Art

Neal Morse & The Resonance:
No Hill For A Climber

Melodic Progressive Rock
5.0/5.0

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InsideOut Music/Radiant Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.11.2024 | Released: 08.11.2024

Iconic and prolific composer and musical collaborator in the progressive rock universe, Neal Morse brings a new project to the genre with Neal Morse & The Resonance. Rather than an international alliance, like Transatlantic, The Resonance unites local musicians from the Nashville area. That idea came from his wife, Cherie. Neal explains:

Neal Morse & The Resonance - Click For Larger Image

Neal Morse & The Resonance

"My wife suggested that I should think about doing something with the amazingly talented younger guys that we have here locally - like Chris Riley (b), Andre Madatian (g) and Philip Martin (d). I knew just how good they were from playing with them at our Christmas concerts and other events." The Resonance would add vocalist Johnny Bisaha to assist Morse by covering the parts with a higher vocal range.


The new crew would begin writing and jamming together in early 2024. Wherein Morse concluded that an album was being born, No Hill For A Climber (From Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead.) Complimenting the band members, Morse adds, "These guys brought a lot to the table. There is a freshness that comes from working with new and younger people. There are some musical ideas they brought that would NEVER have occurred to me: there is lots of new stuff here."

Turning to the music, the album consists of only five songs: but it's three short songs bookended by two prog opuses at over 20 minutes, Of course, in true Morse tradition, the two longer songs, Eternity In Your Eyes and No Hill For A Climber, are adventures in prog rock creativity and experimentation. Both are divided into parts with both instrumental and voice sections. It's helpful to have lyrics, which were provided with my digital press package, as it allows the listener to discern the movements in the arrangements. I will not attempt to dissect each song. However, I found the overarching musical theme to be neo-classical prog blended with rock fusion, then held together by song melody and vocal arrangements. Basically, another Morse trademark.

Of the shorter songs, Thief throws you a curve with its mild start, but then erupts with a heavier middle with some big drums and hard organ. Alternatively, Ever Interceding has a gentler flow turning upon the vocal arrangement and acoustic guitar as the lyrics remind the Christian of Christ's ongoing intercession in his life. All The Rage is the most rambunctious of the bunch. Essentially, melodic hard rock with wistful prog nuances (notably in a piano segue after the midpoint) to temper the heaviness. Somehow it reminded me of a Kansas-like song. It was the first single of the album: listen below.

All said, Neal Morse's new project The Resonance, finds the elder statesman of progressive rock working with some fine locally grown Nashville talent. The result, No Hill For A Climber, is a fresh, creative, and entertaining album of classic melodic progressive rock. You won't be disappointed. Easily recommended.


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The Take Away

Neal Morse's new project The Resonance, finds the elder statesman of progressive rock working with some fine locally grown Nashville talent. The result, No Hill For A Climber, is a fresh, creative, and entertaining album of classic melodic progressive rock. Easily recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

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