I finally listened to the new record (sorry Neal, but Iron Maiden have priority
). So far I've only listened in full once (but I already knew the first three).
Quick considerations (not that anyone asked):
CD1
01- Do It All Again - It has a great arrangement, a lot of interesting stuff... but I don't like the vocal lines and I hate the chorus. Unfortunately.
02 - Bird on a Wire - I don't like anything here.
03 - Your Place in the Sun - I like everything here. Everything works for me.
04 - Another Story to Tell - Reminds me of something I don't know what. Pretty cool and it has a kind of non-Nealmorseian vibe.
05 - The Way It Had to Be - Great start. It reminds Pink Floyd a little bit. Again I like the arrangement. I like the piano, the bass, the guitars. Good vocal melodies and Eric works well (and I'm not on team- Eric). Beautiful music.
06 - Emergence - Kind of loose on the record, but fuck it. I love stuff like that.
07 - Not Afraid, Pt. 1 - Great start with acoustic guitar and beautiful vocal melodies. I think the first half (more folk) is better than the second half.
08 - Bridge over Troubled Water - Interesting cover. Great vocal melodies (thanks Paul Simon
). I liked the version.
CD 2
01 - Not Afraid, Pt. 2 - I like it. There are moments like Neal Morse, others not so much. The arrangement is interesting, the vocals work (I just don't like the ending with Eric singing in a rather pompous way). One of the highlights.
02 - Beyond the Years - Very interesting start! I loved it. Afterwards the song is very Neal Morse-like. Gentlegiantisms. 15 min mark, very interesting. John Petrucci does a solo on this song? At 20 minutes, a totally random instrumental starts. The song seems to be over, but there are still 4 minutes left
. The strings and the organ return. John Petrucci returns. Strings only (nice). Abrupt end.
Looks like you have it all here. I need to listen to it again.
I think the main quality of CD 1 is not being so similar to what Neal Morse (NMB) has always done. There is a flavor of newness here, although not everything has worked for me. Point for the band.
CD 2 has more of the band's style.
I don't think it's SB or Neal's early solo albums level, but I think it's the best NMB.
I will listen again.