Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Morse, Neal
Label: Century Media
Release: 2014
Rating: 3/5
The portrait of American singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Neal Morse, former member of prog revivalists Spock’s Beard, is the portrait of a tireless musical workaholic who, when he’s not busy with his solo career, is a member of the prog rock supergroups Transatlantic and Flying Colors. His musical path over the last twenty years is basically a cross-section of the modern American prog rock scene. Pretty much every established contemporary American prog rock musician worth their salt has worked with Neal by now. Morse’s solo output is truly fascinating and falls into two camps: mostly very interesting progressive rock albums, and somewhat less appealing pop rock and folk efforts, more or less marked by his Christian-flavored lyrics.
Ever since 2002, when he started ‘talking’ to his God, Morse has been a passionate Christian convert, which is why he left Spock’s Beard, under the pretext of being able to devote himself more easily to ‘God’s work’ and a solo career. In recent years, though, he has ‘quietly’ started working with them again as a guest musician, setting off ever louder rumors of his return. His Christian ‘awakening’, which struck many as a tasteless slice of classic American pathos, won him at least as many new fans as it drove away, even though some of his prog solo efforts carry no Christian lyrical stamp at all, which he has no problem with. At the same time, we shouldn’t overlook the very likely main reason for Neal’s sudden Christian awakening, which he himself will of course never admit: the ‘miraculous’ recovery of his daughter Jayde, whose hole in the heart closed up right before a scheduled operation, after a family prayer.
In the year the second Flying Colors album comes out at the end of September, Neal decided to record »Songs From November«, a new pop rock album that mixes elements of pop, folk, gospel and country with positive-thinking lyrics singing the praises of his family (especially his wife and daughter), while also preaching everything you need to do in life so God keeps shining down on you from heaven with favor. »Whatever Days« is one of the most memorable moments on »Songs From November«, marked by energetic horn arrangements and playful piano flourishes, while Neal’s singing is at its usual excellent standard. The rest of the songs, none of which breaks the five-minute mark, follow the same upbeat, atmospheric pulse, with heavy use of acoustic guitar and the occasional guest appearance from melodic horn arrangements.
»Heaven Smiled« is an acoustic folk ballad with devotional lyrics and subtle touches of gospel, where the passionate believer once again declares his love for everything that’s dear to God. On the family love-fest »Flowers In a Vase«, Neal, who as usual played keyboards and all the guitars on the album, ventures into country territory. »Love Shot An Arrow« is a wonderfully sung, melancholic love ballad with a generic, if not downright sappy, message. »Song For The Free«, which with a bit more commercial exposure for Neal could even have been a pop hit, is a lively swerve into pop rock with subtle folk arrangements, and one of the few really interesting moments on »Songs From November«.
»Tell Me Annabelle« is yet another piano-driven love ballad with refined arrangements, the kind the album never runs short of. Thanks to its melancholic violin, »My Time Of Dying« has a pastoral feel, while the vocal lines this time are almost pure gospel. It all sounds like some acoustic experiment helmed by the legendary Kansas. »When Things Slow Down« is another clichéd ballad outpouring where Neal sings an ode to his family and God, which at times gets seriously tiring, while »Daddy’s Daughter«, where he gets pretty damn weepy a few times, is dedicated to his miraculously healed daughter Jayde. »Wear The Chains«, where Neal’s vocal fervor rules amid melodic symphonic arrangements, could easily serve as the soundtrack to some charity film for a Christian fundraising campaign. Mr. Morse bids farewell with the dramatic power ballad »The Way Of Love«, which is again a somewhat more energetic effort with gorgeous horn arrangements and at times even recalls some of his past moments in the prog rock world.
»Songs From November« is classic Neal, straight from his less prominent pop rock output, sung and played with the enviable polish you’d expect, while its all-round feel-good atmosphere will warm even the most hardened heart among those who couldn’t care less about the word of God. From a technical and atmospheric standpoint, there’s honestly nothing to fault on the album, and it may even be his most interesting pop rock effort to date. All well and good, if only the songs weren’t a bit too similar to each other in arrangement structure, atmosphere and rhythmic pulse, and if the sappy lyrics about family idylls didn’t get old fast. Hardly anyone cares what Neal’s wife said when he brought her a bouquet of flowers during the blessing, or how daddy’s little girl is growing up. That’s exactly why »Songs From November« is only for the biggest fans of Neal and his work.
Lineup
Neal Morse – vocals, guitar, keyboards
Chris Carmichael – violin, viola and cello
Jim Hoke – horn
Gabe Klein – drums
The McCrary Sisters – backing vocals
Production
Neal Morse
Track List
1. Heaven Smiled
2. Whatever Days
3. Flowers in a Vase
4. Love Shot an Arrow
5. Song for the Free
6. Tell Me Annabelle
7. My Time of Dying
8. When Things Slow Down
9. Daddy’s Daughter
10. Wear the Chains
11. The Way of Love
