Neal Morse does Part 2 of Joseph; the results, like the coat, are multi-coloured.

Release Date: 12th January 2024

Label: Frontiers Music s.r.l

Format: CD / digital / vinyl

We reviewed Part 1 of Neal Morse’s latest Bible related Prog Rock epic at the back end of 2023. One that saw him killing two birds with one stone; his passion for scripture matched by the endless font of music that pours from him in Prog-sized torrents.

Back then we left Joseph unjustly imprisoned, the story quickly back on track with The Restoration – Joseph: Part Two, seeing the narrative unfold as Joseph’s wisdom and intelligence lead him to become Viceroy of Egypt and reunite his family. Two volumes but one story, perhaps an acknowledgment that a whole truckload of Prog Rock and theology might be a challenge. After all, The Similitude Of A Dream and The Great Adventure albums had been there (done…T shirt…etc) of late, not to mention a strong link up in his work of the last twenty years, the balance in the Morse discography shifting ever slowly towards the worship angle.

With a reminder that this is NOT the Neal Morse Band (just ‘Neal Morse’) and remains like its first part, a strangely Portnoy-free zone, Cosmic Mess scurries in as the story quickly picks up pace (no lengthy recaps here). It soon becomes clear that there’s no shortage of Prog tropes in the musical flurries, the twists and turns in time signatures and moods encountered along the way. Morse takes up the narrative with his trademark passion, projecting into the role, yet declaring how “the second installment in the Joseph story shocked me! ” There might be scant pickings for anyone expecting any sort of surprises, just plenty of ‘if it ain’t broken’ moments and an array of guests and musical friends to listen out for, including latest buddy Ross Jennings from Haken.

My Dream sees those Kansas harmonies kicking into play – the glut of talent in the vocal department sees Ted Leonard back on board and we know he’s a huge fan of the band. The Morse knack for a hook and melody is combined with heavier moments; galloping Space Rocking sections litter Dreamer In The Jailhouse and The Argument (and the start of Bring Ben that soon hops into a soulful R’n’B workout) sees the Gentle Giant/Spock’s Beard-style unaccompanied vocal gymnastic arrangement that’s never too far from the menu. The latter adds to the musical theatricality not for the only time – imagine an angst-ridden Morse spotlit on stage singing a solo part in Guilty As Charged while the strings sweep into his melancholy.

The first of several big climaxes heads our way in the epic balladeering on Freedom Road – the gospel choral lifting the thought that “if the steam in your heart runs dry” while Morse is wringing out every drop of feeling, likely hand in air, before the come down as he/Joseph searches for help in the name of forgiveness. A Latino quickstep punctuates Leonard’s showcase as The Brothers Repent and there’s a lovely but ever so brief jazzy instrumental passage in Restoration which along with the Lion King-esque joie de vivre on Everlasting, Mike Portnoy might have had fun playing with before heading into the by now expected crescendo as cruise into the fifteen-minute sequence at the business end of the album.

We’re painfully aware by now, that Morse can churn out these albums with uncanny ease, yet there’s no denying the thrill when he delivers his latest goosebump moment while decorating with his impassioned and genuine conviction. restoration might peak early, but the chance to come again (and again) in Everlasting. For a final grand finale, the uplifting “there’s the dawning of a new day” line gives the closing piece its title and signals the emotion in the delivery cranked up as we head towards the inevitable crescendo that drowns out even the clatter of kitchen sinks being thrown into the mix.

And whilst there may have been some element of “oh no, not another Neal Morse prog Rock epic about the Bible” with the latest two album project, one can’t help but be seduced by the general air of jubilation. Once again, we find ourselves walking his way.

Here’s I Hate My Brothers:

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