The Neal Morse Band - The Grand Experiment (Album Review)
Thursday, 19 February 2015
Written by Simon Ramsay
Whether with Spock's Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colors or as a solo artist, whatever Neal Morse turns his hand to inevitably results in something extra special. In fact, such is his genius he could probably broker world peace should he put his mind to it. But while he's crafting albums as flawless as 'The Grand Experiment', such matters can wait.
Let's not mince words. This record is a masterpiece of ambition, concept and execution. What's so remarkable is that, for the first time in his career, Morse went into the studio without a single idea, writing and recording with his band on the fly.
It's one thing for a spontaneous rock ‘n' roll outfit to work that way, but to construct a progressive opus crammed with intricate instrumental passages, wonderfully sculpted melodies, emotional resonance and two epic tracks is almost unbelievable.
It helps that this isn't a one man show and, along with his regular ally and drumming maestro Mike Portnoy, this creative process has allowed Morse's touring band - guitarist Eric Gillette, bassist Randy George and keyboard player Bill Hubauer - to express their dazzling chemistry in the studio for the first time.
The five tracks are undeniably Morse, but with ideas flowing from a wider pool of musicians there's a healthy peppering of fresh textures. The band adds stupendous lead and backing vocals, and the recording schedule has given the songs’ instrumental interplay a healthy spontaneity that belies their complex constructions.
The aforementioned colossal cuts bookend the album, with The Call and Alive Again weighing in at 10 and 27 minutes respectively. Both tunes are packed with uplifting choruses and breathtaking harmonies, while their mind-bending array of passages travel through swooning beauty, rock, classical, jazz and funk as the band weaves together a joyful array of time signatures, tonal and narrative shifts.
The middle trio of tunes are more immediately accessible, with the title song's riff sounding like Jimmy Page reinterpreting the theme to 1970s TV show Battlestar Galactica, before verses that echo the Beatles’ Come Together stomp towards a soaring chorus.
Morse's Christian beliefs are all over this album, not so much in a preachy or overt manner, but in a way that infuses the songs with an unabashed spirituality, producing music that's inspirational regardless of your faith.
This is particularly prominent on the acoustic, ghostly folk of Waterfall, a tune with resplendent, ethereal vocals whose story reveals what might have happened if Nick Drake had been cleansed of his torment by the river man.
Proceedings are rounded off with Agenda, a fizzing mid-tempo ball of bouncing glam rock allied to a dreamy falsetto chorus and Flaming Lips-style psychedelic pop.
Perhaps the greatest compliment to be paid to 'The Grand Experiment' is that, for lesser artists, it would be a career defining piece de resistance. For Morse, it's merely his latest release. We've come to expect excellence from the man, and he rarely disappoints.
Neal Morse Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sat March 7 2015 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
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