This new set from Tim Morse reflects the progressive rock angles I’ve come to expect from him. Quite a bit of it is instrumental, but some songs include vocals. This is definitely on the mellower end of the spectrum, but it does have some songs that approach Beatles-type melodic prog territory. He even covers a John Lennon song. I wouldn’t consider this my favorite from Morse, but it’s high quality and works well. It would probably be a highlight of many artists’ catalog. It’s a testament to the quality of the rest of his music that it doesn’t land there in his repertoire.
This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025 Volume 1. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Remembrance At just over half-a-minute in length, this is just a short bit of keyboard atmosphere.
Cityscape
Starting with space, the electronic groove on this as it works outward is classy. It has elements of 1970s electronic prog, while it also feels fresh.
Broken Compass
Echoey vocals singing “no direction” starts the cut. The track works out to more of a folky sort of vibe as it continues. There are Beatles-like elements as it continues and some definite progressive rock angles.
By The River
Pretty intricate acoustic guitar is on the menu here along with keyboard vibes and some horn sounds. This is a mellow, but quite satisfying piece of music.
Balance
Another built on intricate acoustic guitar work, this is classy stuff. It has some hints of bluegrass music at times.
Soundtracks
More pure progressive rock, this remains on the mellow side of the equation. It’s more of a neo-prog thing. It’s also very cool.
Empty Vessels
Tuned percussion sounds start things here. There is a sparse arrangement focused on this chiming sort of sound as the cut continues. More atmospheric keyboard textures take over later.
Blueberry Way
A bouncy, poppy sort of cut, this is another has a definite Beatles type vibe to it. It’s still got plenty of prog in the mix, though. There is a jazzy section that still feels like the Fab Four.
As Yet Untitled
There is some great soaring melodic prog built into this thing. It has a classic prog sound, but also some modern angles to it. The closing section on this has some great synthesizer work and reminds me a little classic Styx.
Solar Flare
This instrumental piece features some great fusion and classic prog textures built into it. It has some killer musical exploration.
Deidra
Intricate and mellow sounds are on the menu here. Acoustic guitar and piano are the most prominent things, but there are other elements on this instrumental piece.
Mind Games
Here get a cover of a John Lennon song. This version captures the magic of the original while making it fit with the rest of the set.
Lullaby
Piano and vocals are the main things on the menu here. That said, the arrangement gets more layers further down the road, and there is some great acoustic guitar soloing.
Vortex
Atmospheric keyboard textures are on the menu as this gets underway. This instrumental piece evolves organically, becoming a little more powerful and dramatic as it does so.
