NEAL MORSE – Sola Gratia (2020)

‘This is my ‘quarantine’ album” says NEAL MORSE of his new release, “Sola Gratia”, to be released next September 11. That refers to the fact that for the first time in his career, Morse didn’t have cohorts Mike Portnoy and Randy George in the studio with him in-person to record their parts.
Instead, due to the obvious impact of COVID-19, each player recorded their performance in their own studios with Morse’s original songwriting staying largely intact.
The result is a “Neal Morse” album with Morse writing, singing and playing the majority of guitars and keyboards on the album. While that might seem obvious, the distinction comes when an album is attributed to “The Neal Morse Band” where the material is co-written, arranged, performed & sung by all five members of the band including Eric Gillette and Bill Hubauer.

Embarking upon a new concept around the Apostle Paul – particularly his transformation from being a persecutor of early Christians to experiencing his own vision of the ascended Jesus and his subsequent conversion – Morse finds ample material for an intriguing story-line to fuel his prog explorations.
As with many of his previous solo albums, the material is obviously Christian-centric at its core and thus may turn off some potential listeners, but when listened to as a story line at face value there really is nothing to get worked up about regardless of the listener’s personal beliefs.

The title, which is Latin for “grace alone,” also appears to hearken back to the “Sola Scriptura” lyric, “…a man by candlelight reads, the just shall live by faith…” which is the catalyst for many of Luther’s actions told in such album.
This a coherent concept record with plenty of musical muscle and what could be more “prog” than that?

Conveniently demarcated by a short instrumental intermission piece entitled “Sola Intermezzo”, the latter seven songs on the album overall are longer in length and stronger in content than the first seven songs, so let’s go for the gold first.
The ballad “Overflow” is one of Morse’s best, spaciously delivered with emotive vocals, deliciously delicate brush drum fills from Portnoy, and a short but moving guitar solo. The repeating refrain from a choir of female vocals leads to a meditative ecstasy which is so hypnotic that it could have continued several more minutes. Simply gorgeous.

As good as that one is, “Never Change” is even better: a moody eight-minute high point that features some of Morse’s best vocal and guitar delivery anywhere. As blessed as the Neal Morse Band is to have Eric Gillette’s blazing guitar featured, it’s always rewarding to make room for Morse’s own tone and feeling being channeled through the six strings and in “Never Change” he triumphantly delivers. The bombastic vocal finale of the song will surely be a highlight when the song is performed live at Morsefest 2020 this September.

The album continues from strength to strength with “Seemingly Sincere”. The nine-minute piece takes its time to build over a bed of electronic loops, an unusual sonic element for Morse. Ultimately the guitars and George’s bass take off in typical fashion, but it’s a good five minutes to get there which is a refreshing change of pace. Throwing in a minute-long synth solo which leads to a featured drum section from Portnoy, then culminating with a return to the powerful chorus, this is yet another killer track.

The transformation (aka the “conversion”) is yet to come. We all know it’s coming. How else could a Neal Morse album end? The inevitable grand finale is just waiting to be revealed, replete with a grand choir as the heavens break open, sunlight streaming down through the clouds and there is Morse at his keyboards, playing his heart out through a glorious epic chorus that brings it all together.
In the case of “Sola Gratia”, this finale is the medley of “The Glory of the Lord” and “Now I Can See / The Great Commission” that brings heaven down to earth, complete with a lengthy, polished Gillette guitar hero appearance.

In conclusion, “Sola Gratia” strengths lay in its top shelf performances from George, Portnoy and Morse, a healthy dose of quality material, and of course its pristine production thanks once again to Rich Mouser.
This new album is straight from the Neal Morse playbook, so fans will pretty much know exactly what they’re getting.
Highly Recommended

01 – Preface
02 – Overture
03 – In the Name of the Lord
04 – Ballyhoo (The Chosen Ones)
05 – March of the Pharisees
06 – Building a Wall
07 – Sola Intermezzo
08 – Overflow
09 – Warmer Than the Sunshine
10 – Never Change
11 – Seemingly Sincere
12 – The Light on the Road to Damascus
13 – The Glory of the Lord
14 – Now I Can See/The Great Commission

Neal Morse – Vocals, guitars, keyboards
Mike Portnoy – Drums
Randy George – Bass
Gideon Klein – Strings
Eric Gillette – Guitars
Bill Hubauer – Keyboards

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