Album Review: The Restoration Part 2 Posted January 06, 2024 By JJFrancesco_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know
With an impressive mainstream tenure as part of Spock's Beard and Supergroup Transatlantic, Neal Morse entered a bold new phase of his career in the 2000s after coming to know Christ. His solo work as a Christian rock artist balances a big classic rock sound with stirring cinematic instruments. His latest work is a two-part rock opera on Joseph, the renowned Old Testament biblical hero. Part one was released last year, and now Neal's ready to release part two: The Restoration.
What It Sounds Like
Fans of classic Christian rock will find a lot to love about Morse's latest. The songs overflow with juicy guitar breakdowns and key-driven hooks. The opening track, "Cosmic Mess," even boasts some horn sections. Some vocal deliveries experiment with dramatic and atmospheric sounds that help set them apart from your standard radio choruses.
Morse assembled an all-star team of guest vocalists for this release to help round out the project. Notable presences include Jake Livgren of Kansas, former bandmates of Morse's from Spock's Beard, and even Matt Smith of Theocracy. These artists make the project feel fuller and offer a satisfying conclusion to Joseph's musical story.
Spiritual Highlights
The songs all work together to tell the story of Joseph, as found in the Book of Genesis. Being one of the more well-known stories of the Bible, most are likely familiar with the broad strokes of the story. Morse's lyrics offer some characterization and internal reflection that deepen appreciation of the story. At times, there's also an angle of the lyrics relating beyond the narrative to apply to our own lives.
Bottom Line
Neal Morse delivers a stirring classic rock concept album that will please fans worn by the monotony of many modern musical trends. Those willing to step outside the box will find a unique musical journey to appreciate a beloved biblical story.
