Morse Retroprog without experiments, but to our customary standard

Neal Morse fans can breathe, the fears are unnecessary: ​​Despite the album title refrain Morse and his colleagues on experimental sounds or musical self-reinvention. On offer is the usual melodic Retroprog, the one of Morse since Spock's Beard- knows times. Of course, as always in a highly professional world-class, in excellent Rich Mouser- sound and with a nice cover. Experimentally was merely the approach to go as a band without finished songs into the studio and everything to work together only there. Already on the previous album "Momentum" Morse had preferred a spontaneous operation over thoroughly in advance by the planned arrangements, and in both cases, something lively freshness saved on the albums.

The fact that nevertheless a typical Morse album is created, showing either that Morse "his" Trademark- sound simply has, or that he took only musicians with very similar style in his band. In addition to the "usual suspects" Mike Portnoy and Randy George are the time Eric and Bill Gillette Hubauer on guitar and keyboards. The two newcomers may well make our own contributions, without changing the overall picture size - sometimes there are really heavy riffs, wide soundscapes and anthemic fanfare on the ears. Winds are also used a little more often, but this time Flamenco Parts are completely absent. Pleasant is loosening that Morse micro sometimes leaves his colleagues. But would not specifically identify the whole band as a songwriter, the credits could also ascribe Morse as a listener the album alone.

Among the songs: "Agenda" is in its straightness something flat and "Waterfall" a bit too long splashing, but the two long tracks at the beginning and conclusion compensate fully, and also the title track has succeeded. Among the bonus tracks is convincing only "Doomsday Destiny"; "New Jerusalem" is flat and "MacArthur Park" (Richard Harris, Donna Summer) hopeless. These two live versions of older songs, nice but unspectacular.

In total, the four stars are for me. "Momentum" I found a better eating.