Vanora: Momentum on Diverse

"You’ve got some new Momentum… you better keep on going", erklärt Neal Morse auf dem spannenden Titeltrack seines neuen Albums. Doch was könnte nach einem tollen Jahr wie 2011, das die Veröffentlichung und Welttournee von "Testimony 2" sowie das Release des 5-Disc-Sets "Testimony 2 Live in L. A." mit sich brachte, für Neal als Nächstes kommen? "Genau an dem Punkt befand ich mich im Januar 2012", sagt Neal. "Ich wartete und fragte mich, was als Nächstes ansteht. Dann hatte Mike (Portnoy) ein freies Zeitfenster Ende Januar, also habe ich ihn und Randy (George) gebucht, um für Aufnahmen nach Nashville zu kommen. Aber ich hatte gar kein Album! Doch dann gab es eine Kreativexplosion, die unsere Erwartungen bei weitem übertroffen hat..."

Mit der Gitarrenarbeit von 6-String-Legende Paul Gilbert und natürlich dem herausragenden Drumming von Langzeitpartner Mike Portnoy ist "Momentum" ein packender Ritt geworden, der einen sprachlos zurücklässt. Gemixt wurde es von Rich Mouser (Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard), produziert von Neal Morse.
Alles, was man sich auf einem Neal Morse-Album nur wünschen kann, ist hier vertreten: großartige Prog-Elemente, eingängige Pop-Chorusse, komplizierte Gesangverwebungen, glühendes Musikhandwerk und wunderschöne Melodien. Mit Songs wie "Highlights: Thoughts Pt 5", einem perfekten Nachfolger früher Spock’s-Beard-Klassiker, dem Rock / Pop-Brillanten "Weathering Sky" und "World Without End", das bei 33: 51 eincheckt, erweist sich "Momentum" als ultimatives Prog-Epos von dem Mann, der diesen Begriff im Prinzip erfunden hat.

Product Information

Coming off of a highly successful 2011 marked by the release of the critically acclaimed "Testimony 2" and an enthusiastically attended tour throughout the U. S., Mexico and Europe, Neal Morse could easily have justified going on a creative hiatus to catch his breath. But that would fly in the face of his convictions and the sense that he is being led to build upon the swell of success he is experiencing.

In January 2012, Morse was pondering the possibilities of a change in direction. After all, it had been a decade since he left the progressive rock stalwart Spock's Beard to pursue a solo career that would allow him to write more freely about his personal faith. And in that time he had recorded 6 impressive studio records that were heralded for their unique hybrid of epic compositions that tested the boundaries of musicianship while maintaining a remarkable sense of melody through irresistible hooks and addictive choruses. He could have taken a break. Or gone in an entirely new direction. But he felt led otherwise, as summed up in the new record's title track: "You've got some new momentum, you better keep going."

Morse's long time studio partner and friend Mike Portnoy had a small window in January 2012 when he could record. The only problem was, there was only one song and a few bits and pieces written. Taking a leap of faith, he scheduled a recording session with the drumming legend and longtime bass player Randy George in two weeks, hoping that the music would arrive before the musicians. And boy did it ever.

"Momentum" features five exceptional stand alone songs and one longer conceptual piece. In addition to the accessible title track, there's the quirkily clever, Gentle Giant-inspired "Thoughts Part 5," which follows in the footsteps of the previous "Thoughts" tracks penned by Morse with Spocks Beard. "Smoke and Mirrors" trods an introspective, acoustic path, while "Weathering Sky" offers a raucous cry for deliverance and renewal from a searching soul. Rounding out the shorter tracks is "Freak," an upbeat, strings-charged song unlike anything Neal has recorded to date. Last comes "World Without End," a near 34-minute, six-part epic that contains everything that defines Morse as a master of the genre.

Another highlight of this record is that, in addition to a masterful solo by guitar wizard Paul Gilbert, there are contributions from Adson Sodré, Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette—three musicians who were selected as members of Morse's new touring band through an exciting YouTube driven open audition process.

While "Momentum" propels Morse forward and further cements his standing as a prolific progressive rock icon, it steers clear of the potential "more of the same" trap, and features fresh musical angles and some of the finest performances to date by the Morse, Portnoy, George team.

Much to the delight of progressive rock fans around the globe, Neal Morse is moving ahead with "Momentum," and there doesn't appear to be any kind of end to his unique creative talent in sight.

(nealmorse. com)

Rezensionen

,,Testimony 2 war letztes Jahr schon ein klasse Album, und nach dem ersten Hören von Momentum darf man Neal Morse schon wieder zu einer starken Scheibe gratulieren. Gleich zu Beginn lässt er zwei Prog-Rockknaller vom Stapel, als wolle er ein für alle Mal klarstellen, wohin die Reise geht." (Good Times, Oktober / November 2012)

,,Ein komplexes, aber nie sinn- oder lieblos arrangiertes Opus. MOMENTUM macht einfach Spaß." (Metal Hammer, Oktober 2012)