Christian Progressive (Cprog) artist, Neal Morse exposed his soul and Christ-journey with the 2003 release of Testimony put man's struggle to rejoin with God in the 2004 release of One, and has once again outdone himself with his latest release, ?. ? is a progressive rock masterwork that is fixed hard in both prose and musical content. What ceases to amaze me is Morse's ability to present extensive Christian themes without sounding like any CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) artist I have ever heard. I believe it is the marriage of progressive rock music with the subject matter and Morse's perceptive insight to the "everyman" approach to presenting his message.
The CD is really one continuous song (don't worry, it is time segregated so you can navigate the tracks) that subtly flows without notice. The "?" title helps to establish the entire feel to the CD using the biblical Tabernacle as the hub of his subject matter. Morse keeps his stable of musicians that helped to make his previous works their best - Randy George (Ajalon) on Bass and Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, OSI) on drums while adding a bevy of guest prog artists both old and new. Veteran Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett delivers an absolutely haunting solo on the track, "12." It conjures up his signature sound from his early solo work - "Voyage of the Acolyte." On "Into the Fire", Alan Morse (Spock's Beard) and Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) turn in simpatico guitar solos that ebb and flow as if human. "Solid As the Sun" features three exciting sections: guest saxophonist Mark Leniger solos, Neal's Church Pastor delivering a poignant sermon backed by Randy George's inventive and tasty bass solo. The pinnacle of the CD is in the track "Outside Looking In." - a gentle tune that reverberates the very cage around my heart. This is the "everyman" hook that will illuminate everything Morse is conveying. This tune beautifully builds to an emotional crescendo that will deliver "goosebumpery" on your arms and neck. The capper for this CD is in the lyrics for "12" cataloging the mysterious "numerology" that riddles the bible. Simply stated passages that get your noggin a buzzing.
Morse left the progressive rock band Spock's Beard some while back to fulfill his calling to God. Fans remain divided as to whether or not they will accept his new direction. As I have stated before, his delivery of his spiritual point of view does not put off. His musical direction hasn't really changed much from Spock's Beard; in fact much of it is the same. I would challenge those who remain "outside looking in" to suspend their disbelief for a moment and give "?" a listen - I promise that you will not be disappointed. One of the best CDs I have heard this year.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Barry NothstineAnd then after all With our backs against the wall We see the temple of the living God And outside the gate the cripples sit and wait To see the temple of the living God To see the temple of the living God Neal Morse's third solo release ? is jaw-droppingly good; a mind-blowing 56-plus-minute pure, powerful, progressive rock roller coaster ride that touches thematically on the great mystery of…
