Ranking The Neal Morse Studio Albums

[@ScottAMedina]

"The songwriting here is obviously sent from heaven above, there's no other explanation." 😂 Right on, man.

[@TheProgCorner]

There’s no way he writes all that without help from above…

[@artyomkurakin3393]

​@@TheProgCornerwell he's new born Christian. That kinda explains a lot.

[@francoisberube1300]

I'm watching all your videos I just have 4 left watched and I received the notification I immediately clicked! I really like Neal Morse too. I think he's my favorite modern prog artist. I can't wait for the videos on Genesis and Yes, my two favorite bands!

[@TheProgCorner]

Mine too!!! I’ve been holding off on doing those until I got closer to 1000 subscribers!!! But this is the week!!! Probably do Genesis first…

[@PatSmith-cp8rg]

Glad you're back. Look forward to future rankings.

[@TheProgCorner]

Genesis tomorrow!!!

[@jimrichardson253]

This is my first listen to your podcast and really enjoyed it. Neal is my favorite artist this century and I also love Kansas and Styx so can’t wait to hear those. I have a hard time ranking them because I love them all. I’m a big fan of JCTE so that world be more in the 7 to 8 range and I’d have One top 5, but otherwise in line with your order.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Neal so much!!! Thanks for checking out my channel. I’ve got big plans!!! ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍🤘🤘🤘

[@jesusarielgonzalez7775]

Fantastic video I love Neal I discovered him in 2020. I just read a lot of good reviews of an album named The Similitude of a Dream, so I checked, and my God, I was Blown away, It was all I like of music, catchy melodies, virtuoso playing, themes that keep commimg back and an absolutly brilliant ending with Broken Sky. Thanks to Neal and his multiple projects I began an obssesion with modern prog rock. Im still missing some good albums, for example Question Mark is the highest rated album of Neal Morse carreer, in progarchives, so I have high expectations in diggesting that album.

[@TheProgCorner]

You are going to die and go to heaven once you hear Question Mark!!! It is absolutely beautiful. Some days I like it better than The Similitude Of A Dream.

[@reactions4u438]

similitude is stunning, and the ending!! how can anybody not get emotional to it

[@TheProgCorner]

Goose bumps just thinking about it…

[@CharlesRBiggs]

We *LOVE* Neal Morse music!! Makes us happy. Your progfectious, progspiring, progthusiastic, proglific, progrific show is just daily dynamite! PROG ON, Bro!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

Yes!!! Thanks to you!!!

[@ScottAMedina]

Respect that even though "One" is criminally low on this list, you acknowledge that it's a controversial rating. Same thing for "Lifeline" in the other direction.

[@LightBeamer777]

Great ranking! I am a huge Neal Morse fan, and I have been since the early Spock's years. I won't rank them all, but I will say that "?" has a special place in my heart. Keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to your Spock's rankings.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love all eras of SB so that will be a lot of fun!!!

[@wizardofoz6811]

Nice video Scot, a great artist indeed! Totally agree with your list, like them all. There's a strange quality in his music that keeps me intrigued and interested. His affinity for melodies and transitions is awesome. Thanks for the video!

[@TheProgCorner]

I think his ability to walk that fine line between totally awesome and totally cheesy is the main appeal for me. The Everyman aspect to his post SB career doesn’t hurt either😜! His music means a lot to me and has helped me through some difficult times.

[@rafael_moreira]

Nice taste! And its all a matter of preference. Hahaha. I myself love JCTE and One. They are definitly on my top5. Question Mark, Sola Scriptura and Testimony 1 closes my top 5, i guess. Not in that particularly order. Anyway, nice video and we can tell you really love what you are talking about!

[@TheProgCorner]

And we’ve got Joseph Part One to look forward to as well… ❤️👍❤️👍

[@rafael_moreira]

@@TheProgCorner Yep. Im aware. Didnt even listen to the song, because i wanna experience the full album as a surprise. Hahaha.

[@TheProgCorner]

I can never do that!!!!

[@JacobRobergeQC]

We have the exact same top 4 haha ! Here's my list : 13- Testimony (don't throw rocks, it hasn't clicked with me yet) 12- Lifeline 11- Innocence & Danger 10- Jesus Christ : The Exorcist 9- Momentum 8- One 7- Sola Gratia 6- The Grand Experiment 5- Testimony 2 4- The Great Adventure 3- Sola Scriptura 2- Question Mark 1- The Similitude of a Dream

[@TheProgCorner]

Testimony is the odd ball here for sure. It has a totally different feel to it - like Neal wasn’t sure what he was doing yet. Maybe that’s part of its charm for me!!!

[@marcvolgers8352]

I really got to appreciate Testimony more with the live recording of it in 013, it works better live I think (and it has a great version of Stranger in Your Soul!). I wish I knew him back than, but I only learned of him around 2005 (I could have known before, if I would have listened to someone who said I would like Spock's Beard in '97/98 - which I never followed up, at least not after I learned about NM in 2005, a thing I still regret because I love SB). I have seen him in 013 a few times, including by far the best live gig I ever say, TSOAD, which is recorded also. I'll see him in over month again in 013, maybe I&D will get to me, which hasn't happend yet. Apart from your low position of One I can follow your list much better.

[@JacobRobergeQC]

@@marcvolgers8352 Great, I will check out the live version ! Yeah, to be fair, every album in my Top 8 could be in the Top 3, it is so close. I think what puts One a bit lower for me weirdly is the track division. The epics don't really feel like epics in my opinion, but rather multiple tracks put together. I think if the tracks were divided à la Similitude, it might be 1-2 spots higher

[@TheProgCorner]

The universe has a way of putting the music you need in your life in your life!!!

[@TheProgCorner]

My thoughts exactly.

[@isacv2182]

That’s a Beautiful presentation I must say. Neal Morse Is 1 of my #1’s the other and also gifted (from above) is Roine Stolt. Both as solo or with their bands past and present or in combination (Transatlantic) are for me Prog essential necessity. Cheers and keep on.

[@TheProgCorner]

My thoughts exactly!!!

[@emilianobaldo1979]

Hi! Watching your video is like watching me in the mirror! I absolutely agree with your ranking.

[@TheProgCorner]

We love Neal!!!!

[@emilianobaldo1979]

@@TheProgCorner yeah. Discoveder 2 years ago listening to Black as the Sky (transatlantic, you surely know). Then bought the whirlwind (wow!!!). Then all discography of spock's, transatlantic, Neal morse, nmb, flying colors, flower kings, pattern seeking animals. And many bluray and DVD live. Their music makes me Happy, even if my wife hates it. She does not understand the beautifullness She loses

[@TheProgCorner]

So excited for new music from The Flower Kings in September!!!

[@emilianobaldo1979]

But I really am not able to find More never Is enough 3cd+2dvd...I would love to see the whirlwind in that show

[@TheProgCorner]

All their live DVDs are amazing!!!

[@AudioAl5195]

Thank you for your video and to everyone who comments as well. I too love Neal Morse. I think the man makes music like no other. I can listen to his material over and over again and continue to find more in it with each listen. I am always bewildered as to how he isn’t a huge artist. I am sure that his faith and the religious content has in some way held back his popularity. That is sad and ignorant. As far as your list goes I agree with some rankings and not with others. But we could say the same in ordering pizza! Opinions aren’t wrong, right? I would ask you to listen more to I&D. I just saw NMB perform it and it was amazing especially the epic tracks. Also, I think you were harsh on The Grand Experiment. I really appreciate your videos. Thank you

[@TheProgCorner]

Neal’s discography might be the hardest for me to rank because (besides JCTE) they are all amazing records!!! Neal’s religious views definitely hold him back. If he were singing about Satan he’d be huge!!!

[@alwalters13]

@@TheProgCorner Thank you for your reply. It is very nice to meet you if only virtually. Have a wonderful day.

[@TheProgCorner]

You too!!! Prog on!!!

[@northcarolinavinylpicker]

Nice video. I seen the momentum tour in Jacksonville

[@TheProgCorner]

Nice!!! Neal is such a great musician and a really nice guy too!!! I’ve only seen him once - on the Similitude tour in Cleveland!!!

[@kjlmusic1540]

To quote the great Steven Reid, “What’s a mirror?”

[@Z-eb]

Never got into him, i`ll check your no 1 choice ! Prog On !!

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Neal!!!

[@ScottAMedina]

For me, the 4-CD set shares the #1 & #2 position: 1 & 2: TSOAD & TGA 3: One 4: Innocence & Danger 5: The Grand Experiment (gotta incl. the bonus disc, too) 6: ? 7: Sola Scriptura 8: T2 (with bonus disc) 9: Momentum 10: Sola Gratia 11: JCTE 12: T1 13: Lifeline

[@TheProgCorner]

So you’re one of those anti-Lifeline types, huh? No, it’s tough with a discography this awesome!!! Hard to argue with the Pilgrim’s Progress records!!! I’m all for a third one!!!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I’ve heard Spock’s Beard but not Neals solo stuff. Thanks for the heads up on this.

[@TheProgCorner]

(I like the Neal Morse and Neal Morse Band albums way better than Spock’s Beard - and I love Spock’s Beard!!!) I hope you check some of his music out. As you can clearly tell: I am a mega fan.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@TheProgCorner that’s a ringing endorsement, looking forward to listening to those, thanks a ton.

[@themusiccritic3196]

This episode is a testimony to Scot Lade's greatness.

[@TheProgCorner]

Just wait until tomorrow’s episode!!!

[@synen]

My fav prog artist from the US as well, great video. Tremendously miss Spock's Beard with Neal :(

[@TheProgCorner]

Thank you!!! I don’t know if you could tell or not but I’m kind of a fan!!!

[@synen]

@@TheProgCorner So am I, own all his works and projects.

[@TheProgCorner]

How do you like Pattern-Seeking Animals?

[@synen]

@@TheProgCorner Have not heard, do you recommend?

[@TheProgCorner]

All three of their albums are awesome and very much like Spock’s Beard!!!

[@MusicVersa]

KZbin decided to put this in my feed today and I thought it was new - apparently I just missed it when it came out last year! I mostly agree with this ranking except I'd swap Lifeline and Momentum - I think they're musically pretty on-par but I think Lifeline's got some of Neal's weakest lyrics, and I'd bump The Grand Experiment up above the Testimony albums. You and I seem fairly unique among Neal fans in putting One down that low - I know lots of people put that album in the "S" tier but it's never really resonated with me. It's still a good album but definitely not my favourite. Seems everyone can agree that JC:TE is the weakest and Similitude and Sola Scriptura are the tops, though. V is the album that introduced me to Neal and is my favourite Spock's album - such an incredible work.

[@TheProgCorner]

I will admit that my love for Lifeline is bizarre but I’m a sucker for a good melody!!!

[@marcvolgers8352]

I know, these lists are personal opinions. Putting One so low makes my heart cry a little bit... I mean... it's just an amazing album, The Creation, Author of Confusion, The Separated Man and Help Me/The Spirit and the Flesh are just classics and great compositions. But then again, TSOAD on #1 makes a lot good, because I do think it's the best NM(B) album and one of - if no the - best modern prog album.

[@marcvolgers8352]

My top 12 12. Momentum 11. Lifeline 10. Sola Gratia 09. Innoncene & Danger 08. Testimony 2 07. The Great Adventure 06. The Grand Experiment 05. Testimony 04. One 03. ? 02. Sola Scriptura 01. The Similitude of a Dream Yes, I left out Jesus Christ the Excorcist. I actually love the album but I don't think it belongs on the list, it's more musical with progrock elements. Great album still, but different. I have had a hard time getting into Neals later albums. I&D and Sola Gratia aren't bad at all, but I feel also it's more of the same. I've heard and. He writes great songs but it doesn't get me like the previous albums. And with Momentum en Lifeline I think he really lost his momentum ;-). The NMB thing gave a fresh start. I will see I&D live in June in 013 (hope they film there again), maybe that gives more spark to it.

[@TheProgCorner]

NMB definitely gave Neal some new fire!!! He obviously knew it was getting stale!!! Yeah, I don’t know why but I never connected with One the same way I did with Testimony or Question Mark. Weird!!!

[@marcvolgers8352]

@@TheProgCorner I don't have a degree in psychiatry but there's a probably a diagnosis for the condition of Neal Morse fans less liking One 🤣. But I can live with just the conclusion "Weird" 😁 All bad jokes aside: tastes differ and if you like other albums more than this album who am I to argue? As a musician I could try to point out the technical genius of the songs I mentioned, but that doesn't say anything about whether or not someone actually would like it.

[@TheProgCorner]

Exactly!!! No one ever said “Man, that German Augmented Sixth chord sounds soooo good in these headphones!!!”

[@marcvolgers8352]

@@TheProgCorner well...I can actually say stuff like that ;)

[@EgorLappo]

Great video! Do you by a chance accept albums for a review?

[@TheProgCorner]

I do but I can’t guarantee I’ll like it!!! Send me a link!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@EgorLappo]

@@TheProgCorner Just sent a email on your gmail :)

[@TheProgCorner]

Okay!!! Got it. Thank you!!! Can’t wait to give it a listen!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@ProggyGoat]

I love Neal Morse as well, but I only have 4. Funnily enough, I prefer Adventure to Similitude.

[@TheProgCorner]

I love it. The Dark Melody is so amazing!!!

[@oliviergeoffroy9823]

another songriter sent from heaven -andy latimer and what about a CAMEL ranking ...a trademark of prog too ..from England ..;-))

[@TheProgCorner]

A Camel episode is coming !!!

[@theheepster]

As a Neal Morseaholic i must say, my ranking ist totally different. IMO no Neal Morse Solo Album is as good as the Neal Morse Band Albums. No.1 The Grand Experiment No.2 The Similitude of a Dream No.3 Innocence & Danger No.4 The Great Adventure No.5 Sola Gratia and the Rest in changing ranks. ☮️for 🇺🇦

[@TheProgCorner]

Sola Gratia!!! Yes!!! I love that one!!! Yeah, NNB is a different animal but I wanted to do them together as they are Neal Morse projects where he is the main writer…

[@Czyszy]

1999 "Neal Morse" album is a tricky one because it has one prog song on it (A Whole Nother Trip).

[@TheProgCorner]

Exactly and what a great song that is too!!!

[@Czyszy]

@@TheProgCorner It's one of my top 3 NM songs of all time.

[@TheProgCorner]

I listened to that in the car this morning!!!

[@markspooner1224]

I'm not familiar with all of his stuff, now I'm better informed!

[@TheProgCorner]

I would start with Question Mark. Short and sweet!!! And Steve Hackett too!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@markspooner1224]

@@TheProgCorner Thanks, I'm on it!

[@FeloniusMonkInGSharp]

Understands the Morse Code...

[@kniknayme9865]

Cool. Yes and Genesis . Looking forward to disagreeing .

[@TheProgCorner]

I hope so!!! It would be boring otherwise!!!

[@JohnnyRecently]

I admire Neal Morris. Neal is a stupendous being. I want to like Neal Morris albums. Maybe it's the production and the general sound. It does not appeal to me... no matter how much I want it to. I don't mind the Christian lyrics. It's not that. Weird thing? The Jesus rock opera may be my favorite Morris album. Go figure.

[@TheProgCorner]

Go figure indeed!!! One never knows!!! Yeah, Neal isn’t for everyone. I hated his voice for a long, long time. Now I live for it. Weird.

[@JohnnyRecently]

@@TheProgCorner I really want to like Neal's albums. That said, You should do a video on prog bands that you know (You should Like, but you don't) I'm sure you got a few.

[@TheProgCorner]

We all have a few of those!!! It Bites and Magma come immediately to mind.

[@puddleglumsmusiccollection9151]

Kerry Livgrens nephew

[@TheProgCorner]

I know!!!! My bad!!!!

[@puddleglumsmusiccollection9151]

@@TheProgCorner love one a lot but I'm a big Keaggy fan 😆

[@TheProgCorner]

Keaggy is so great.

[@TheAbsorbant]

The Neal Morse Band albums are not solo albums.

[@TheAbsorbant]

I fully agree that "V" is the very best Spock's Beard did with Neal, and probably ever.

[@TheAbsorbant]

Sorry, but I disagree with almost this entire list. Putting "Sola Scriptura" lower than number one and "One" in the ninth spot... Nope.

[@TheProgCorner]

That’s the beauty of music: we all hear it differently, it effects each person individually!!!

[@TheAbsorbant]

@@TheProgCorner True. I would have liked separate lists for Neal Morse (where it's mostly his unaltered musical vision) and the Neal Morse Band (which is very much a band effort, where I personally think his musical vision gets lost).

[@TheProgCorner]

I went back and forth on this. Originally I was going to do a monster episode: all Neal projects ranked together. But then Scott Medina wanted to do a Spock’s episode with me so I went with this. I know it doesn’t really work but…

[@ohioprogger]

As a Catholic. I cannot stomach him. His theology is so warped and wrong, I cannot get past it. I started loathing this guy in 1997 after his assinine interview in Progression.

[@TheProgCorner]

I get that. Not a fan of all his beliefs but I’m a huge fan of the music but I totally understand!!!

[@Lance37a]

World without end is one of his weakest epic. It just recycles his previous epics.

[@TheProgCorner]

It’s not my favorite epic but it has its moments!!!

[@BattManion1979]

I could never dig this guy.....he seems stale even before his product is opened. I have tried, but...

[@TheProgCorner]

I love Neal but you like what you like. I actually did not care for Morse or Spock’s Beard for quite a while. It took me years to learn to appreciate his genius!!! So I totally get it!!!

[@BattManion1979]

@@TheProgCorner I was on a bill at a prog fest once in 2008 he was there we even discussed it!

[@TheProgCorner]

Neal has always been cool to me. He seems like a decent fellow!!! And I am a super fan so there’s that…