Lifeline (Neal Morse album)

Infobox Album | Name = Lifeline


Type = Album
Artist = Neal Morse
Released = October 1st, 2008
Genre = Progressive Rock
Length = 69:35 |

"Lifeline" is the forthcoming album from Neal Morse. Unlike many of his previous releases this will not be a concept album. The album features performances from Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) on drums and Randy George (Ajalon) on bass as well as special guest appearances including Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Paul Gilbert (Racer X and Mr. Big) who features on a bonus cut. And also live drummer Collin Leijenaar plays on the bonus track 'Set The Kingdom'.

Neal and his band played the title track, "Lifeline", live at at the Night of the Prog festival in Loreley, Germany. It was also played at a concert in Trondheim, Norway, with a local band.

It was later announced that the album will be released on October 1st, 2008.

__NOTOC__

Track listing

#"Lifeline" - 13:28
#"The Way Home" - 4:20
#"Leviathan" - 6:04
#"God's Love" - 5:28
#"Children of the Chosen" - 4:55
#"So Many Roads" - 28:43
#*I. So Many Roads
#*II. Star for a Day
#*III. The Humdrum Life
#*IV. All the Way to the Grave
#*V. The Eyes of the Saviour
#*VI. So Many Roads Reprise
#"Fly High" - 6:31

Bonus Disc

A special edition will be released including a CD of bonus material. This will include covers of four 'pretty cool songs by pretty uncool bands' as well as two original songs:

#"Crazy Horses" - (The Osmonds)
#"Lemons Never Forget" - (The Bee Gees)
#"The Letter" - (Joe Cocker version)
#"What's So Funny" - (Elvis Costello version)
#"Sometimes"
#"Set the Kingdom"

Reception

So far, the reception has been mixed. ProgArchives.com has an overall score of 1.91, citing the reasons as too mundane throughout each song and repetitive that is too reminiscent from his older work; however, according to Neal Morse's official website, TheProgFiles.com reportedly said: "Hands down, nobody in the industry does prog better than Neal Morse."

Personnel

Band

* Neal Morse - keyboards, guitars, vocals
* Mike Portnoy - drums
* Randy George - bass

pecial Guests

* Paul Gilbert - lead guitar on Crazy Horses
* Paul Bielatowicz - lead guitar on Lemons and 2nd guitar solo on Fly High
* Collin Leijenaar - drums on Set the Kingdom
* Carl Groves - backing vocals on Lifeline, The Way Home, Children of the Chosen and So Many Roads
* Jonathan Willis - strings on The Way Home, Eyes of the Saviour and Fly High
* Jim Hoke - saxophone on Leviathan and The Humdrum Life
* Ivory Leonard and Danielle Spencer - backing vocals on So Many Roads