Momentum
Neal Morse
Label: Radiant Records
Released: September 11, 2012
Reviewed: September 9, 2012
Momentum is Neal Morse’s 16th solo album and is definitely among his best work yet. The project was recorded with friends Mike Portnoy and Randy George – along with some help on guitar from Paul Gilbert and new touring band mates, Adson Sodre , Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette. The result is an album that will be pure musical delight to anyone who listens to it and especially Neal Morse/Spocks Beard/Flying Colors fans.
Clocking in at just over an hour, this seventh of his prog rock solo work features six brilliant compositions, including a six movement conceptual piece, World Without End, that lasts over 33 minutes.
Spocks Beard fans are going to absolutely love the unconventional feel of Thoughts Part 5 which is in the same vein as Morse-written Spocks Beard tune, Thoughts. The video for the tune is also quite quirky (view it here).
The acoustic Smoke and Mirrors is as thought provoking as it is introspective. The lyrics are haunting and simply intricate and warranted multiple slaps of the repeat button. Especially cool is a tune that is the almost Beatle-esque Freak. This song is quite interesting and fun. You’re really going to like it.
The Boomerocity favorite off of this CD, though, is Weathering Sky. The incredible guitar work reeled me in from the get-go. I have a sneakin’ hunch that this tune is received very, very well but the audiences when performed live.
Momentum is assured to give its listeners countless hours of listening pleasure. Prog rockers and Neal Morse fans will definitely want this album in the listening library without any doubt. Oh, and while you’re at it, check out NealMorse.com and see if his fall tour is going to be stopping somewhere near you.
Written by Randy Patterson
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