| Musical Style: Progressive Rock | Produced By: Neal Morse |
| Record Label: Frontiers | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2024 | Artist Website: Neal Morse |
| Tracks: 16 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 75:05 |
Progressive rock and mega epic songwriting are as much a part of Neal Morse’s repertoire as concept albums. In other words, the Nashville, Tennessee based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer has gained apt reputation for all three! Consider in this regard his turn of the century concept albums, beginning with One (2004), detailing man’s separation from God and how through the salvation experience man can become ‘One’ with God again, but also including Sol Scriptura (2007), basing around the life of the reformer Martin Luther, each of which features songwriting in the 18 to 30 minute range. Question Mark (2006), focusing on the Tabernacle that Moses and the Israelites built in the wilderness and later built by Solomon based on the same design that came directly from God, is a lone 56-minute long song.
Morse later branched out into progressive rock opera territory while staying true to his conceptual roots. Jesus Christ: The Exorcist (2019) fits the bill accordingly as a two CD set comprising two hours of music that in featuring an all-star cast of vocalists and musicians tells the ‘Story of Stories’. The Dreamer - Joseph: Part One (2023) and The Restoration - Joseph Part Two (2024) represent a two part CD series taking a similar rock-opera-all-star cast approach from tracing the life of the Old Testament figure Joseph. ‘Part One’ begins with Joseph’s series of dreams and concludes with him being unjustly imprisoned, while ‘Part Two’ focuses on how Joseph became viceroy of Egypt and eventual reunion with his family.
Of note is how The Dreamer and The Restoration find Morse backing from some of his previous overt progressive sensibilities. Whereas artist has not forsaken his innate progressiveness, gone is his penchant for twenty minute plus mega epics replaced with more truncated and accessible songwriting rooted in classic rock, blues-rock, hard rock, ballads and ensemble vocal pieces. If I were to place the two alongside, The Restoration impresses as both the more progressive, artist takes further opportune to extend his songwriting, and heavier release, realized in assertive songwriting moments that touch upon hard rock. It adds up to what in my opinion is the better-rounded, varied and convincing listening experience.
The Restoration begins to what I find one of its stronger and more progressive pieces, “Cosmic Mess”. At six minutes, it runs the gamut from grand piano, forthright bass, edgy rhythm guitar and a darker, creepy moment over the final minute hinting of Alice Cooper. All the while, the type of sweeping melody of the type Morse is renowned holds sway.
Ensuing cut “My Dream”, a short (two and half minute) but graining rocker with a bluesy edge, gives way to two of my album favorites in six and seven minute numbers “Dreamer In The Jailhouse” and “All Hail”. Former impresses as pensive with its swirling keyboards and turbulent moments as Morse, Jake Livgren and Ross Jennings trade off vocally. Periodic heavier rocking moments further elevate the focused scene. Latter carries over the upbeat essence, classic rock tinged with its gritty guitars but also mirroring AOR in terms of the lushly done vocal melodies. At the halfway mark, the song transitions to a calmer almost angelic passage of a Pink Floyd influenced nature.
Album moves on to three shorter pieces to include two-minute acapella vocal driven “The Argument” and mirthfully flowing heavy rocker “Make Like A Breeze” with its seventies style keyboards, catchy riffs and soulful vocals to Led Leonard. Minute long instrumental “Overture Reprise” closes the trio.
Many of the heavier The Restoration moments follow starting with “I Hate My Brothers”. Song elevates to hard rock territory with its driving slam in and out of the mix guitars to go alongside Morse’s moving vocal performance and jazzy saxophone solo. In similar form is “Reckoning” with Hammond B3 and elevated guitars aligning with classic tenor vocalist Matt Smith (Theocracy) and two and half minute “Big Ben” to play up an acapella vocal trade off opening ahead of turning into a spicy rocker with added organ and mirthful bass. A heavy classic rock feel accents either way.
Two very fine five-minute ballads “Guilty As Charged” and “Freedom Road” stand out equally. The two shine with their sweeping AOR tinged, home to profound bass, piano and classical instrumentation in speaking of the poignant with their stately overtures. Albums transparent production reveals in the process.
“The Brothers Repent/Joseph Revealed” is first of two closing seven-minute pieces. It rocks with albums finest, as a foundation of earthy guitar interweaves with a vocal trade off between Morse, Leonard and Smith. Interestingly, song makes time signatures to lighter moments highlighting Spanish guitar and others reaching for ballad territory but always returns to a heavy rocking basis.
Second “Dawning Of A New Day” leaves a lighter ethereal impression, atmospheric with its tranquil piano and symphonic keyboards but AOR tinged in terms of its draw you in at once commercial overtures. Not unlike “All Hail”, intermittent bluesy emotional vestiges that bring to mind Pink Floyd play a predominant role.
Bookended around the two are a pair of shorter pieces in “Restoration” and “Everlasting”. Albums title track reflects its variances: calm to start to classical instrumentation but making an abrupt transition to a forward direction only to return to a more even heading. “Everlasting” cuts in at once to a hard rocking direction over piano and hammering drums as a compelling melody rises above the exuberant scene. Kudos to the virtuoso like keyboard and lead guitar trade off instrumentally.
The Restoration is a wonderful at time progressive at times heavy rocking at times bluesy at times classic rock at times AOR ballad based rock opera concept album. Morse and a host of guest vocalists and musicians in which he surrounds himself expertly play to the mood of the music at hand, whether heartfelt and moody, pensive and angry or joyous and celebratory. The album as a result holds up well and does not wear out its welcome despite the 75-minute span. Of equal note is how The Restoration excels at reinforcing the meaning behind Joseph’s life in terms of forgiveness and restoration in relationships and manner in which God not only works for the good in all circumstances but importance of unwavering faith in such circumstances.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Cosmic Mess” (6:10), “My Dream” (2:40), “Dreamer In The Jailhouse” (5:53), “All Hail” (6:47), “The Argument” (2:14), “Make Like A Breeze” (4:09), “Overture Reprise” (:54), “I Hate My Brothers” (4:25), “Guilty As Charged” (4:48), “Reckoning” (3:11), “Bring Ben” (2:42), “Freedom Road” (5:30), “The Brothers Repent/Joseph Revealed” (7:41), “Restoration” (4:27), “Everlasting” (5:55), “Dawning Of A New Day” (7:40)
Musicians
Neal Morse - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Bass & Drums
Ted Leonard, Matt Smith, Talon David, Jake Livgren, Wil Morse, Nick D’Virgiljo, Ross Jennings, Mark Pogue - Lead Vocals
Eric Gillette - Drums
Rick Altizer - Guitar
Alan Morse - Guitar
Gabe Klein - Drums
Gideon Klein – Guitar & Bass
Sam Hunter - Guitar
Chris West, Josh Scalf & Tyler Jaeger - Horns
Josee Klein, Hannah Tyler, Carl Larson & Gideon Klein - String Quartet
Bill Hubauer - Keyboards
