Lifeline

Much of the timeless artwork of the dark ages and the Renaissance was religious iconography. Meanwhile, rock music (and progressive rock specifically) was originally, and for most of its existence has been, insistently secular. Well, now history has come full circle: I am not a religious person at all, yet I find Neal Morse's music and this album in particular to be absolutely phenomenal. The scope, the beauty, the intensity, and the emotion stay with you, and the composition is well above and beyond even prog rock's high-bar threshold. Powerful, resonant melodies and passages stay with you, and this album becomes almost like a dear friend you wouldn't want to have lived without. The title track Lifeline is suitably breathtaking, with a vitality that is usually reserved for Broadway musicals. Leviathan, the prog-rock grinder of the record, is sharp enough to keep the math-rockers among us tapping our fingers. The three lighter tracks, The Way Home, God's Love, and Fly High, are each beautiful in their own way, and in particular The Way Home evokes a genuine happiness that makes you glad Neal found the teachings of Christ, whether you believe Jesus was merely a remarkable man (as I am inclined to believe) or that he was something more. And then, there is the showstopper: So Many Roads is one of the best long-form progressive songs I have ever heard, and I have been listening since Floyd, Zeppelin, and Rush vinyl spun on my childhood turntable. In almost thirty minutes, Neal exults in the passion, fear, hope, conflict, and utter joy of life and belief. It is hard to find the words for it. The song is well worth hearing here in its studio incarnation and on Neal's live album named after it. If you're into prog AND you're a religious person, well, I can't imagine you don't own this album already. If not, you really do need to buy it now. You'll be glad you did.

Awesome way to tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! This is also the best recording quality Neal Morse has ever had with his side projects in my opinion. Ususally Portnoy tries to do the drum EQ's himself and it Fails... Epically. The snare is still not "poppy" like a Pearl Master's series... MMX.. Either Portnoy doesn't know what he's doing or Tama just sounds flat when recorded.. I prefer to believe the second, but I wouldn't be totally suprised if I was wrong.

Thanks Neal! Tremendous Project. If anyone needs to be lifted up both Spiritually, AND Musically, get this album. I own every album Neal has put out, and belive me, this is on par with them all!

Neal Morse's "Lifeline" is a truly incredible album, I was doubtful at first, then I purchased it and listened to it, and I must say this is some of the best music I have ever heard! Awesome music with an inspiring and totally positive message! If you like progressive music or christian rock, you will love this album!

One of the best things Neal's done. The short songs maybe could have been a suite unto themselves, but that's a minor quibble. This is exactly what Morse fans expect and love.

I really thought he was going to disappoint me with the previews I heard. I was so wrong it's not even funny. This album is great. Lifeline and So Many Roads are good enough to be an album on their own but every other song is good. Children of the Chosen is my least favorite but I still dont skip it when it comes around in my car.