Neal Morse's "Sola Scriptura" is not only set to be his best album, but possibly one of the best releases of 2007, the rest of the year permitting. Although it seems yesterday that his previous album, "?" hit stores, the new album is indeed upon us and the sound is better than ever. To ansewr the obvious questions first, Mike Portnoy and Paul Gilbert return, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess and the many other varied guests from the last album do not. Christianity is still the driving theme of the album, although never before (even by Morse) has christian music been as varied and daring as it is here.
"The Door" is a half-hour epic of Transatlantic proportions, and it's hard not to draw parallels to the now-defunct supergroup when the song does sound like it would have fit right at home on a TA album. This song probably does the most for the album in the way of getting it in your head, as the many varied sections, solos, vocal melodies and symphonics make this a memorable half hour. It's interseting to see why Transatlantic can't exist without Neal, as he is clearly the driving force behind them, with "The Door" he's created an epic every bit as good as "Duel With The Devil". A
However while "The Door" may contribute the most (both in legnth and various prog sensabilities), my personal preference goes to "The Conflict" a 25 minute epic who's centerpiece is a long latin-flavored section, and some of the best drumming Portnoy has done outside of Dream Theater. It's also about the heaviest track Neal has done, and the most varied and daring, taking influences from so many genres that it could easily have worked broken up such as the epic suites on "Testimony". If "The Door" was the "Duel With The Devil" of this album than this song is it's "Stranger In Your Soul" A+
On "Heaven In My Heart" the album scales back to a 5 minute piano ballad that will clearly find it's way to an InsideOut music sampler somewhere. As far as ballads go, it's everything Neal and Mike have done before, with a little bit extra, as pieces of epic-ness creep into the formula. A-
"The Conclusion" is a symphonic mid-legnth (for Morse) track that brings the album to it's all-to-soon close. It probably breaks the least ground of all the songs, which is a shame, but it still shines as a catchy song that gives a somber end that is appropriate to this bombastic album. B+
It's difficult to put a finger on any particular quality that makes "Sola Scriptura" stand out from other Morse releases, As the fourth in a series of Christian prog rock concept albums, the forumala might have worn thin. Certainly it could have on "?" if not for the draw of many musical guests, but it's the added influences and expansions of old ones that make this album rock. For those of you who are fans, all you need to know is it's the best Morse album yet, for those of you who don't, grow up and get past the Jesus lyrics and enjoy some great prog. A