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New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
April 2024
- Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
- Praying Mantis: Defiance
- King Zebra: Between The Shadows
- About Us: Take A Piece
- Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories
March 2024
- Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
- Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
- The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
- Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
- Lipz: Changing The Melody
- The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
- Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
- Turbulence: Binary Dream
- Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
- D'Luna: Monster
- Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
- Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help
February 2024
- Traveler: Prequel To Madness
- Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
- Honeymoon Suite: Alive
- Durbin: Screaming Steel
- Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
- Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
- Striker: Ultrapower
- Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
- Robert Hart: Circus Life
January 2024
- Corvus: Immortals
- Caligula's Horse: Charcoal Grace
- Grand: Second To None
- Neal Morse: The Restoration - Joseph - Part Two
- The Rods: Rattle The Cage
- Gotus: Gotus
- Metalite: Expedition One
- Cobrakill: Serpent's Kiss
- Jack Russell & Tracii Guns: Medusa
- Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
- The Grandmaster: Black Sun
Neal Morse: Lifeline
Neal Morse by very definition is a master of progressive rock. There are few individual musicians who can do it quite as well as he can. Morse's latest and most wonderful release 'Lifeline' continues solidify his stature in this genre. With this said, there's a little bit of a twist to 'Lifeline.'
'Lifeline' does contain two of those signature lengthy prog pieces in 'Lifeline' and 'So Many Roads' for which Morse is known. Yet, the other five songs, still having some prog nuances, drift closer to melodic rock than prog. This most noticeable on 'The Way Home' which is straight melodic rock with no prog frills. Yet, then there is 'Leviathan' which tag teams near metal fret work with some funky horns.
The lifeblood of 'Lifeline' is still found in Morse's epic and profound prog piece, 'So Many Roads.' Lyrically and musically, the song is autobiographical displaying his journey to faith in Jesus Christ, the one road. Compositionally, Morse easily melds old school with modern prog while adding a dash of metal to spice things up. There is something for everyone in this song; my favorite part came about 18 minutes in with the impressive bass solo.
Most of what I've been speaking to here pertains to the basic single CD. I would strongly encourage that you get the double CD with the bonus disc because there is some very cool stuff here. 'Crazy Horses' is a wild rock and roll ride with enormous rhythm section and ripping metal riffs. 'Lemons Never Forget,' a humorous song, is great guitar driven prog rock. (Listen for the weird Bee Gees ending.) The Box Tops hit 'The Letter' never sounded better in the skilled hands of Mr. Morse (fabulous horns). Finally, Morse covers Elvis Costello's 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love And Understanding' with enough enthusiasm to invoke the same punk passion of the original.
Neal Morse's 'Lifeline' is simply phenomenal. Morse continues to inspire with his creativity and skillfulness. Heaven is smiling down on us once again. Highly recommended!
- Craig Hartranft
In Short
Neal Morse's 'Lifeline' is simply phenomenal. Morse continues to inspire with his creativity and skillfulness. Heaven is smiling down on us once again.
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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]