Neal Morse ? - Prog masterpiece

[dwellceller]

Hey Matt
R U looking foward to Neal's new prog rock cd out very soon? - chek out www.nealmorse.com for the awesome cover etc . the album's theme looks very,very interesting and it is called ? ....that's right ?
This cd will not only feature 1 Dream Theater member but 2 - mike portnoy and jordan ruddess ...along with legends such as Steve Hackett from Genesis and Neal's brother from Spock's Beard, and others

From early reviews including someone at neal's message board this cd will be heavier than his recent solo cds and some have actually said it's more like Dream Theater? .....will wait and see

Whatever the style i can't wait for this cd? ...I absolutely loved Testimony (and the DVD) and also 'One'

Anyone else who likes prog rock should chek Nealmorse.com out

 

[Matt Smith]

What do you think?
I'm excited like a little schoolgirl!
No doubt it will be another work of sheer genius. I hardly ever throw that word around, but if there is a such thing as a musical genius, Neal definitely fits the bill. Cannot wait!

When I saw the title of this thread, I was quite jealous because I thought you already had a promo copy or something.

 

[dwellceller]

I wish i had it already ....will have to wait til November sometime
I'm wetting myself in anticipation!
One reviewer has said that if you like the last 2 cds you'll be floored by this one. Apparently it has a fresh sound and is not a repeat of them however.
I shouldn't build up something too much ...but the hype at nealmorse.com has been building for quite awhile, and any early reviews i've read are praising it up a great deal !

Now playing: Vanishing Point - Embrace the Silence

 

[Kenneth R.]

I heard a track off it (a friend obtained it by whatever means I don't know) and I'd have to say your anticipation is worth it, sounds good to me!

 

[Matt Smith]

A friend of mine got a copy of the promo so I heard it yesterday. All I can really say so far is:

I didn't know if it would be humanly possible to follow up an album like ONE, but he definitely did it...

 

[dwellceller]

Wow! I've heard that it's a bit heavier than previous Neal Morse cds ....Is this true?

I hate waiting,but i will be strong and not listen to any samples or whatever until i get the cd....Would rather listen to the whole cd right thru for the first time without having heard any parts to it. I'm trying to stop listening to sample previews of cds these days. IMO it slightly ruins hearing a brand new cd for the first time.
But it will be difficult....all the early reviews so far seem to indicate that it may even be better than One and Testimony!

 

[Victory]

This is another heck of a CD from Mr. Neal!!
I will review it this week but it takes some time to absorb a heavy effort like this!

I interviewed him last week if anyone's interested

www.victoryzine.com/interviews/neal3.html

 

[Sethist]

This is another heck of a CD from Mr. Neal!!
I will review it this week but it takes some time to absorb a heavy effort like this!

I interviewed him last week if anyone's interested

www.victoryzine.com/interviews/neal3.html

This is weird:
"Victory: You got a bunch of great guests here, was it a dream come true to get Steve Hackett on it?
Neal: Very much so. I never met him though, and he recorded his stuff over in England, I didn’t even talk to him! Hehe, I just talked to his manager but I think it worked out great and he did an awesome job."

That'd be pretty weird to have a guy sing on your album that you've never even spoken to.

 

[Victory]

Man, I don't want to make a big issue about this but to say that Steve Hackett is a singer is like saying Jesus is Santa Claus.

 

[Webpoacher]

I actually never heard from Neal Morse until I read this thread. So I downloaded a few albums, and even '?' it takes some time to get acustomed to this kind of music if your not exposed to progrock before. But it gets better every time you listen to it.

 

[Sethist]

Man, I don't want to make a big issue about this but to say that Steve Hackett is a singer is like saying Jesus is Santa Claus.

Sorry, I didn't mean "sing" I meant play. Truthfully though, I've never really listened to Genesis at all, so I honestly wouldn't know Steve Hackett if he dropped through the ceiling right now. Still my point remains the same. Having a guy on your album whom you specifically requested (i.e., not just a session musician who you got to play the oboe or something) and never even spoke to him is kind of weird in my book. A simple "Hey Neal, nice to meet you" phone call would've been nice and not too much trouble. I suppose it's just my good 'ol Southern courtesy kicking in.

 

[Matt Smith]

Wow! I've heard that it's a bit heavier than previous Neal Morse cds ....Is this true?

I keep reading that, but I don't know. I thought One had some nice and heavy moments on it. This new one does have a lot of seriously rockin' stuff on it, so maybe so. But it wasn't like that was the first thing I thought when I heard it. I do agree that it sounds fresh though, definitely not a rehash of the "Snow"/"Testimony"/"One" vibe. It's a bit more of a grower as well, and takes a few listens to fully absorb (though they always do). Great stuff, mindblowing as always; I love it.