Progressive rock mastermind Neal Morse needs no introduction. From the early years of Spock’s Beard to Transatlantic, Flying Colors, The Neal Morse Band and a very prolific solo career in between, he has to be one of the hardest working musicians in the genre, if not the entire music industry. As if releasing a two-album concept opus based on the life of the Old Testament’s Joseph and No Hill for a Climber, from Neal Morse & The Resonance, the last couple of years wasn’t enough; this time he’s teamed up with other prog and rock veterans to form his newest supergroup: Cosmic Cathedral and their album “Deep Water”.
Including legendary guitarist and vocalist Phil Keaggy, drummer Chester Thompson from Genesis fame and bassist Byron House, this new band doesn’t hold back. Their 72 minute debut album really packs a punch. While Morse is credited as the main writer for most of its tracks, this album doesn’t sound just as “another Neal Morse project”, there’s a freshness and raw energy present here that can only be explained as great chemistry between all members.
“The Heart of Life” starts the album in the form of a powerful prog epic which, while maintaining a signature epic Neal Morse feel, makes each band member shine right from the get go with a very unique flavor and colorful instrumental mastery. The song’s chorus is highlighted by flawless vocal harmonies and a very tight rhythmic section. A haunting, yet beautiful middle section brings Keaggy’s guitar to the forefront, before returning to familiar ground. Even though this is a 13 minute song, it doesn’t feel too long or stretched out just for the sake of it, it goes by very quickly.
Next, it’s “Time to Fly” for us, as a very quick intro leads us into airy chords and a loose, bluesy jam feel. This time it’s Keaggy on vocals for the song’s chorus, making a nice contrast to Morse’s singing on the verses. Personally, this is what I hoped would happen when this band was originally announced, great vocal interplay between Phil and Neal’s voices, and they didn’t disappoint. The horn arrangements, sax and guitar solos also work perfectly with the song’s vibe. In my opinion, this was a great choice as the album’s second single before release.
Song number three, “I Won’t Make It”, is the album’s ballad. A short, to the point and softer song led by Morse’s vocals, piano and strings, with the other instruments performing in a supporting role.
“Walking in Daylight” starts in a way that makes you think you’re about to get another dose of prog extravaganza, but things take a surprising and nice turn into an upbeat feel dominated by the keyboard and funky drum grooves. Keaggy sings lead for the whole track this time, a perfect choice for this particular one. The song also goes into “jam session mode” for a while during the middle section and then ends with a guitar melody over a reprise of the main riff and motif. This one, along with the opening track, serves as a very nice bookend for the individual songs not part of the album title multi part suite.
To close things in true progressive rock supergroup fashion, we’re presented with “Deep Water Suite”, the 38 minute epic title track and album centerpiece, split in 9 parts and individual tracks to access each section easily, with parts I and II of the suite serving as our introduction to the new band in the form of their first single and music video. This big song, or collection of shorter tracks, is reminiscent of earlier conceptual works involving Morse such as Transatlantic’s The Whirlwind or The Absolute Universe in the way they’re constructed, with each part flowing perfectly into the next and maintaining coherent musical ideas throughout. Keaggy’s stunning guitar work once again shines through, but we can’t ignore the great interplay between Byron and Chester’s rhythm section. And what more can we say about Morse? He truly is one of the greatest epic prog rock musicians and his writing and playing never cease to amaze throughout the whole album, but especially during the intricate sections of the suite. With multiple apparitions and variations of the “Launch Out” theme, the captivating melodies and thought provoking lyrics of “Nightmare in Paradise”, the playful instrumentation of “New Revelation”, and the emotional closing of “The Door to Heaven”, Deep Water Suite will satisfy the listeners with great musical variety, superb playing and singing; and an uplifting message in what could already be a full album of great progressive music by itself.
No, this isn’t a super technical prog rock album like the works of NMB nor it has the quirky uniqueness of early Spock’s Beard, but this one still offers us something unique to set it aside from the plethora of Morse’s previous releases; and that is in no small amount due to its amazing cast of legendary musicians. Cosmic Cathedral proves to us that it’s never too late in someone’s career to still deliver a fresh, solid, interesting and fun album that doesn’t fall into just rewriting their previous successes.
