Alan Morse - So Many Words- Progressive Voyages Review PV111
Alan Morse – So Many Words- Voyages Review PV 111
This latest album So Many Words is The new and second solo album from Original Spocks Beard Founder Alan Morse.
Spocks Beard were formed in 1992 by Alan, his brother Neal and bassist John Ballard and drummer Nick D'virg8llio whilst Spocks Beard have undergone several different line up over the years, Alan has always been a constant presence in the band.
This new album comes 18 years since his first solo album Four O Clock & Hysteria which was released in 2007.
This new album has 11 tracks and Alan alone lasts for just under an hour, It is performed mainly by Alan alone, Although he is aided by several notable and accomplished friends or guests, these include his brother Neal, Tony Levin and Simon Phillips, he is also joined by members of Spocks Beard and various tracks.
The album Commences with Everyday Is Insane. Which has a strong rhythmic riff and as Alan’s Vocals commences the song takes on a softer tone fuelled by acoustic guitar and Simon Phillip’s drum which provides the background crunch, jaunty synthesiser line appears that actually put me in mind of Men Without Hats, The Safety Dance song, which is an interesting style to embrace, This is all very well done here though. Another interesting thing is that this song has no solo as such, Rather all the elements combine to make the song such that no solo is needed. A rather unusual song but a great opening salvo from Alan.
It's Never Enough follows and this has a very elaborate riff that powers it, along with strong keyboard textures and sounds, it has a real energy to it, The drumbeat is strong and steady as you would expect from ex Toto man Simon Phillips he 8s exceptional here with some staggering fills, This song has a fine guitar solo from Alan alongside some distorted treated vocals towards the songs conclusion which work well too.
I Don’t Want To Time Travel If It Takes Forever is next, I really can’t work this one out, It seems to be Neal Morse singing but the lyrics are very much about a lifestyle that Neal no longer endorses or wants, Interesting words and an equally interesting song, although I’m not sure that anyone comes out of it with much dignity really, This track has Tony Levin providing the Rhythm section alongside Simon Phillips
This Is Who We Are is next and again this
is another gentle song, Mostly on acoustic guitar in the opening verse, Before drums come in al9nsidevkeyboards and another electric guitar part, This song has good backing vocals and fine guitar fills that impress you, I like this song it has a real, presence to it. The instrumentation is excellent as is the splendid guitar solo, I really shines out strongly and strikingly even.
Whilst Alan may not have the best or strongest voice it works well enough for this Song.
Shadow Of The Sun is next, this puts me in mind of Roger Waters somehow, the opening guitar part is very Dave Gilmourish in tone, The song is good and it has a fine sound to it, the opening part returns once again, it makes a great impression, this seems to have Neal Morse singing once again, I can hear his distinctive voice in this song, and also in the orchestrations that song uses, I really like this song its excellent, great chorus here too.
And It’s Time is next, this has a sequenced sound to open with a strong synthesiser part and solid guitar riffs, this sounds very electronic really, Although the guitar work is good as is the chorus, it is very memorable and pleasing to hear, The guitar solo is suitably tough sounding and competently delivered, I like it!
It’s also well-structured and the synthesisers that accompanies it make it sound great, it really works here as does the return to the memorable and catchy chorus refrain all make this another strong track.
Making Up My Heart follows, Opening with a strong acoustic guitar and Synthesiser layers and an interesting ascend8ng guitar riff, the chorus of this song is excellent and very memorable indeed, The song is a about rebuilding and reaffirming a relationship to make it both stronger and more robust, the mid section is also very clever with the guitar solo emerging from the mix and taking centre stage, This is a really fine song and track with a lot of great touches sounds and textures that impress greatly, I like this a lot, the sec9nd guitar solo especially stands out well.
So Many Words, the album’s title track is next This starts with some strange vocals before the main song commences, it has quite a harsh sound that is a bit industrial and brutal at times, not really sure who it reminds me of really, but it does grow on you as it continues, the vocals are interesting here as the build during the song. I actually quite enjoyed this song as it is very different, the use of a saxophone works well too. Alan showing his multiple talents here.
Bass Solo is next which is an opportunity for the skills of Alan Morse to be seen in a completely different ligh employed to fine effect, This is presumably performed with the Chapman stick as it is very a rhythmically driven sound, it sounds like that to me anyway, The track is entirely instrumental in tone and style, all very fine but it seems to not have any great direction to it, but still nice to hear. As good playing is a wonderful thing to hear really.
Make Me Real Again is next and is the penultimate track of the album, This has a real drive to it again, with a surg8ng guitar tone and sound, The song slows the tempo downn8n the middle part for some moody guitar lines and tones, all very atmospheric sounding after which thecdr8ve returns for the solo, which is suitably impressive with some great chops after which the song ends suddenly and effectively.
The final song is, Behind Me which has a very atmospheric opening section with keyboards bass and drums alongside guitar lines. This is all before a word is sung, again I am rem8nded of Pink Floyd in the structure and use of space in the song, I like how this song plays out, it is very effective, it sounds excellent and slightly familiar, although you know it isn’t really, it just sounds that way,
That’s it as that song c9ncludes what has been a most satisfying album of greatcs9ngs with s9me excellent instrumentation and playing, Fans of Spocks Beard willmwan5v5his for their collection and rightly so as there is much to enjoy and appreciate here.
Info here: So Many Words | Alan Morse https://share.google/kCkgeyre8Tio8QDaR
Author John Wenlock-Smith
Sunday 25th January 2026.