Show 92 - "Two discs, two years too late"

[Rick and Roll]

This week it's two releases from 2004 that I just bought in the last several months. I make no apologies for my sloth-like introduction to these fine CD's.

Neal Morse - One

I've long been a Spock's Beard fan but haven't heard much of the solo output from Neal Morse until this year. The "?" CD is excellent, and I wondered what else I was missing. Got some great feedback from friends (especially Moses, who gave a good critique of each solo CD). I have Testimony on DVD, and bought the self-titled release. But I have to say this one is superb.

The Creation
One Mind, In A Perfect Light, Where Are You?, Reaching From The Heart
The Man's Gone
Author of Confusion
The Separated Man
I'm In A Cage, I Am The Man, The Man's Gone, Something Within Me
Remembers
Help Me / The Spirit And the Flesh
Reunion
No Separation, Grand Finale, Make Us One

Had to skip "Cradle To the Grave" and "Father of Forgiveness" due to time.

Ayreon - Into the Electric Castle

A fantastic CD. Melds hard rock with progressive elements, great storyline, and stellar guest appearances (except for those two goobers who play "Death"). My cat can growl better than those two.

Will be excited to hear what else Arjen Lucassen has done, as I am an Ayreon novice. Too detailed to go into the concept here, but if you're interested check it out. It's an interesting story. Some great performances by Thijs Van Leer and the eight characters (Fish, Damian Wilson, Edwin Balough, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Jay van Feggelen, Edward Reekers, Sharon Den Adel, and Arjen himself).

The Songs:

Welcome To The New Dimension
Isis and Osiris
Amazing Flight
Time Beyond Time
The Decision Tree (We're Alive)
Tunnel of Light
Across the Rainbow Bridge
The Garden of Emotions
Valley of the Queens
The Castle Hall
Tower of Hope
Cosmic Fusion
The Mirror Maze
Evil Devolution
The Two Gates
Forever of the Stars
Another Time, Another Space

Hope to see you there!