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Neal Morse – Lifeline
Randy George is grounded whereas Mike Portnoy is not too heavy-handed
this time around. Despite the adjusted stylings of his sidekicks (to
clarify, for the better), Neal Morse is business as usual. While the
album is mediocre when taken as a whole, the second to last track
entitled, “So Many Roads”, is out-and-back astounding. It takes us to a
Transatlantic world where strange souls dance with devils -- even though
its protagonist is unremittingly saintly.
What’s great is that the aforementioned epic ends in a very endearing
place. Before that happens, we experience a chronic bout of déjà vu.
While many sections of the lofty piece parallel successful plug-ins from
the past, “Part III: The Humdrum Life” toils in fantastically original
material. The combination of old and new is emphatically phantasmagoric
if you ask me. At 28 minutes & change, it essentially overruns a musical
marathon.
When nothing else is required for Morse to make his point clear, he
takes us to another level of enlightenment with “Fly High”. For those
who like a happy ending, they’ll get twice for the isonomous price.
Overall, this tale of woe is about someone who has made it to the top
only to find he has hit rock bottom. By the time the last song goes off
to Never-Never-Land, our wayward son gives everything he’s got for
something money can’t buy, and it’s a love that’s much bigger than a
breadbox. Its size is probably closer to the metaphysical human heart.
At a time when summer turns to fall, it gives the listener incentive to
do a little spring cleaning; keeping just that which is important close.
Since the stories are told in the first person, I assume Morse is
predominantly talking about himself. His corollary is a collage of
testimonial solo efforts to date. He represents a man who’s devoted to
the lord and makes music exclusively to share the passion he has for his
savoir. While he might not preach secularity, his messages are mostly
universal -- aside from a couple utterances from Christian nomenclature.
When he journeys to the inner reaches of his transcendental soul, he
blots out hatred and fear with a powerful palette of self-reflective,
introspective phrases. Though Lifeline isn’t his best, it’s damn good.
Personally, the album encoded with the interrogation point is a bona
fide masterpiece from start to finish and the one with the
perspicuously-interpretive views comes penitently next. To absolve my
verbose elucidations, I’m making reference to Question Mark and Sola
Scriptura. As for this theological olio, one-seventh is brilliant and
the rest stands a full measuring stick above the so-so.
The title track, “The Way Home”, and “Children of the Chosen” are the
best of the seconds. The only song that’s rough around the edges is
“Leviathan”. Sadly, it had potential but suffers from an unfortunate
shortage of sandpaper and polish.
Also, Carl Groves (from Salem Hill and Glass Hammer) selflessly appears
to proffer charitable amounts of backing vocals. His loyalty in turn
significantly lifts the core parishioners. Likewise, the artwork
parallels the lyrics and looks shrilly similar to Glass Hammer’s Culture
of the Ascent. Obviously, there is a community of religious artists at
play here. Their pious synergy proves to be for the betterment of
musical mankind.
As for the topographic oceans superimposed upon the cover, the imagery
depicts a man drowning in a boundless pool. A cord comes from out of
nowhere to pull him safely from the infinite abyss. Literally, this
individual has no alternative to faith and must trust the mysterious
buoy in order to attain safe harbor from incalculable peril.
If this were the twilight zone, the twisted rope would be an unexpected
ray of hope. Like the insurance policy promised by the serendipitous
twine, I too am sold pole, reel, and lifeline.
Angling clichés and feelings aside, I get the impression that the sixth
track was where Morse put his main focus. Since other denominations
being serviced by this disc are better than filler, all is holy,
righteous and good -- as far as this progressive missionary, critic, and
landlubber is concerned.
8.75/10
Reviewer: Josh Turner
Visit the Artist’s
Website
Discography
Neal Morse
(1999)
Merry Christmas From The Morse Family (2002)
It's Not Too Late (2001)
The Transatlantic Demos (2003)
Testimony (2003)
One (2004)
? (2005)
God Won't Give Up (2005)
Lead Me Lord (Worship Sessions Volume One) (2005)
Send The Fire (Worship Sessions Volume 2) (2006)
Cover To Cover (2006)
Songs From The Highway (2007)
Sola Scriptura (2007
Secret Place (2008)
Lifeline (2008) |
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