Four O'Clock & Hysteria

Alan Morse | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inside Out U.S.
• ASIN: B000O77Q38
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,904 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The right way for a guitarist to do a debut solo album, June 4, 2007

By 

Squire Jaco (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Four O'Clock & Hysteria (Audio CD)

There's no question that all the members of Spock's Beard have displayed mastery of their respective instruments over the years, so it shouldn't be any surprise that guitarist Alan Morse might attempt a solo album, right? But what IS a big surprise (for those of us who know him only from his playing with the Beard) is the kind of music he's chosen to play here. First of all, it's all instrumental - pretty radical when you think of some of the complex vocal tunes (e.g. "Thoughts" and "Gibberish") that SB is known for. And secondly, it's a guitar fusion album - nothing like the symphonic prog-pop of SB1 or the prog-metal of SB2. This is a very enjoyable album with 63 minutes of creative melodies and energy, a little funk thrown in on some tunes, and even some Spanish guitar stylings. Morse wrote all of the compositions, with assistance from his brother Neal in places. (I think I know that guy from somewhere too!) Reminiscent at various times of the rock fusion of guitar virtuosos Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Jeff Beck, this album is a real pleasant surprise for me, and a great showcase for the talents of one Alan Morse. Well done!

I value interesting music that is played and recorded well. This cd's rating was based on:

Music quality = 8.8/10; Performance = 9/10; Production = 9/10; CD length = 10/10.

Overall score weighted on my proprietary scale = 9.0 ("4-1/2 stars")

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alan's Playing Hysteria!, May 1, 2007

By 

Russ Bellinger (Northville, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Four O'Clock & Hysteria (Audio CD)

Wow! I almost could not believe what I was hearing. I didn't know that he had it in him to do a record like this. His playing in Spocks Beard is great, but I had no idea he could play rock-fusion like this! This CD instantly reminded me of a cross between Jeff Beck and Steve Vai! What an interesting piece of work. It was great to also hear Jerry Goodman on violin on the track "Return to Whatever". It is a very Mahavishnu/Return To Forever sounding piece played with real excitement here. The opening track is killer too. Great to also hear Neal Morse rock out once again without getting all preachy and spiritual. This is the best thing he's played on since Transatlantic. Who knew his brother was such an amazing artist in his own right. Very Highly recommended!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't think Prog, think awesome....., May 22, 2007

By 

GFH (Sydney Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Four O'Clock & Hysteria (Audio CD)

Don't buy this album expecting Spock's Beard prog rock. This album is a mix fantastic melodic Jazz Fusion and cool rock that reminds me of Satriani's slower blues-ier tracks. The playing is top-notch but never decends into showing off, everything is rooted in Alan's beautifully melodic playing.