The Grand Experiment | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 10, 2015 [1] | |||
Recorded | 2014 | |||
Genre | Progressive rock | |||
Length | 52:44 | |||
Label | Metal Blade/Radiant, InsideOut [2] | |||
The Neal Morse Band chronology | ||||
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Neal Morse chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
The Phantom Tollbooth | [3] |
Sonic Perspectives | [4] |
The Grand Experiment is the first album by the progressive rock supergroup The Neal Morse Band. The album was composed and recorded over a short period of time, with no preparation work before entering the studio. This is the first time Morse has recorded this way, with no pre-prepared material (and as a completely collaborative effort with his new band), hence the album's title. [5] [6] [7] It was released on February 10, 2015, in three formats: single CD edition, a special edition which includes the album plus a bonus CD and DVD, and a double CD and vinyl edition. [8] A music video for the title track was released on January 7, 2015. [5]
All tracks are written by Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Randy George, Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Call" | 10:15 |
2. | "The Grand Experiment" | 5:30 |
3. | "Waterfall" | 6:32 |
4. | "Agenda" | 3:45 |
5. | "Alive Again" | 26:42 |
Total length: | 52:44 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "New Jerusalem (Freedom Is Coming)" | 7:12 |
2. | "Doomsday Destiny" | 5:27 |
3. | "MacArthur Park" (Arranged by Bill Hubauer (original version written by Jimmy Webb with vocals by Richard Harris)) | 10:52 |
4. | "The Creation" (Live at Morsefest) | 18:55 |
5. | "Reunion" (Live at Morsefest) | 10:22 |
Total length: | 52:48 |
Technical personnel
Stereoboard named The Grand Experiment album of the year in 2015. [9]
Transatlantic is a multinational progressive rock supergroup consisting of Neal Morse, Roine Stolt, Pete Trewavas and Mike Portnoy. They formed in 1999 as a side project to their full-time bands, but disbanded in 2002. They then reunited in 2009.
Spock's Beard is an American progressive rock band formed in Los Angeles.
Neal Morse is an American singer, musician and composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1992, he formed the progressive rock band Spock's Beard with his brother Alan and released an album which was moderately successful. In 1999, he joined Dream Theater's co-founder and then drummer Mike Portnoy, together with Flower Kings' Roine Stolt and Marillion's Pete Trewavas they formed the super-group Transatlantic. In 2002, Neal Morse became a born again Christian, left Spock's Beard and began a Christian rock solo career, releasing many progressive rock concept albums about his new religious faith. In the meantime, he continued to play with Transatlantic and formed three new bands with Portnoy, Yellow Matter Custard, Flying Colors and The Neal Morse Band.
Michael Stephen Portnoy is an American musician who is primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. In September 2010, Portnoy announced his departure from Dream Theater after 25 years, with Mike Mangini taking his place as drummer of the band. Since his departure Portnoy has remained active, with a variety of bands and projects, including Adrenaline Mob, Avenged Sevenfold, Transatlantic, Yellow Matter Custard, Flying Colors, The Winery Dogs, Liquid Tension Experiment, Metal Allegiance, Sons of Apollo, the Neal Morse Band, and BPMD.
Testimony is the third studio album, and the first concept album, by Neal Morse. Released in 2003, this double record is in five sections detailing the composer's life and conversion to Christianity. The album features performances from then-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and Kerry Livgren of Kansas, although the majority of instruments are played by Morse himself.
The Light is the 1995 debut album by American progressive rock band Spock's Beard. The album features two different covers—one for its domestic release, and one for its European release. "The Light" has since become Spock's Beard's signature song. The album has since been remastered and re-released by Radiant Records.
? is a Christian progressive rock concept album by multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse, his fifth studio album. Released in 2005, this single-CD album is about the Israelite tabernacle in the wilderness found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers of the Hebrew Bible. Morse has stated that this album should be considered one long epic track rather than twelve separate tracks.
One is a Christian progressive rock concept album by multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse and his fourth studio album. Released in 2004, this was released as both a single-CD album and a special edition double-CD with deleted tracks and cover songs. The album is based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
SMPT:e is the first album of the progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic. The title is a play on words: it's both a combination of the band members' initials and a reference about SMPTE, a type of time code used in recording technology.
Sola Scriptura is a 2007 Christian progressive rock concept album by multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse about the life of the German theologian Martin Luther.
Lifeline is the seventh studio album by Neal Morse. The album features performances from Mike Portnoy on drums and Randy George (Ajalon) on bass, as well as special guest appearances including Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Paul Gilbert, who features on a bonus cut. Live drummer Collin Leijenaar plays on the bonus track "Set the Kingdom".
Whirld Tour 2010: Live in London is the third live album by the progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic. Released in 2010, it documents the May 21, 2010, show by the band at Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, England. The show was also filmed and released on a two-DVD set with additional performances and documentary footage. This was the second-to-last show of the "Whirld Tour" in support of the band's third studio album, The Whirlwind.
Momentum is the ninth progressive rock album by Neal Morse, released in September 2012. The album features Mike Portnoy on drums and Randy George on bass. The title track "Momentum" was released in late July 2012, along with a music video. Guests include Eric Gillette and Bill Hubauer who would later found The Neal Morse Band with Morse, Portnoy and George.
The Winery Dogs are an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2012 by Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen.
The Similitude of a Dream is the second studio album by progressive rock supergroup The Neal Morse Band, released on November 11, 2016. It is a concept album, loosely based on The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan and follows Christian, who is tormented by spiritual anguish and told he must leave the City of Destruction to find salvation in the Celestial City.
Eric Gillette is an American multi-instrumentalist from Dallas, Texas. He is the lead guitarist and vocalist for the Neal Morse Band, lead guitarist for TEMIC, as well as a solo artist and session musician. Although primarily a guitarist, he often plays keyboards and drums as part of his professional work.
The Great Adventure is the third studio album by American progressive rock supergroup The Neal Morse Band, released on January 25, 2019 via Metal Blade Records and Radiant Records.
Sola Gratia is the eleventh studio album by American progressive rock vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Neal Morse, released on September 11, 2020. It marks his return to Inside Out Music.
Jesus Christ the Exorcist is the tenth progressive rock studio album by American vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Neal Morse, released on June 14, 2019.
Innocence & Danger is the fourth album by American progressive rock group The Neal Morse Band, released on August 27, 2021. It is Morse's twelfth progressive rock studio album overall.