Customer Reviews

Four O'Clock & Hysteria

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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")

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!

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.

Music: 8/10 Production: 5/5

Total: 13/15

Alan Morse is the highly talented guitar player from Spock's Beard. He breaks out with a fantastic solo album. Spock's Beard is a great prog rock band. Unfortunately, Alan and his brother Neal on keyboards and vocals split a few years ago. SB lives on with Alan and isn't quite as good.

For Alan, his solo album is a jazz rock tour de force. He's managed to assemble another fantastic lineup of musicians. Everyone in the band is a virtuoso in their own right. But, the music is led by Alan and some amazing guitar playing. A couple of songs pay homage to old Yes, but mostly it's original and moving.

The production on the album is sparkling and crystal clear. Anyone who wants to learn to record and master should put this on their reference list.

Overall, if you want to hear some great jazz rock, this is a great album to get. Highly recommended.

I don't have the words to describe how fantastic this record is but i'll give it a try. I have loads of instrumentals in my cd collection, the very best in guitar instrumentals, Vai, Satriani and such. I have many jazz- rock fusion instrumentals, Jeff Beck, Alan Holdsworth and such but this Alan Morse/Four O'clock and Hysteria is the iceing on top of my instrumental cake. This group of musicians have really outdone themselves. I can not pigeon hole this cd into any genre, except to say it is otherworldly. Very uplifting, great to listen to whatever you are doing, sitting in a chair, working out at the gym, driving down the highway,etc. To any music lover, go buy this! It's worth every penny. Yes, Spock's Beard is much better WITHOUT Neal's tunnel vision lyrics. The Beard has it's own identity now.

This is so much better than I had expected - top-notch melodies and playing, excellent arrangements - and even a sort-of the Beards reunion on 'Return To Whatever'. If there's any drawback at all, I'd say that the album would have been even better with less keyboards.

This is a new solo effort from Alan Morse and from what I gather, his only one. It's actually pretty good, given its an ALL instrumental fusion album. You'd think a first time solo effort from a progger might come across as uber pretentious to over indulgent and include the obligatory epic. Well, this album has its excesses to be sure, but it isn't near as repetitive or self-congratulatory as one might think. Nor is it prog.

Musically speaking, this album picks up right where 'What If' and 'Night Of The Living Dregs' left off...oh wait, that was Steve Morse...actually, this might be the best attempt at this style of music since the Dixie Dregs, and the Dregs ain't made this good an album in a while. But if southern-tinged fusion ain't your bag, then stay away. In fact, if you're looking for prog, forget it.

Now cinics are going to say it sounds too much like a Dixie Dregs album; yes, there be a fiddle player (no, it isn't David Ragsdale), and even the keys are faithfully replicated in places. But in a world of tastless speed merchants, I find this album a nice diversion and considering I've never thought of Alan Morse as a great guitarist, well he may or may not be, I'm no guitar expert, I was surprised by its mood and execution. Sure, its a tad unoriginal in places, smacking of guitar solo 101, containing a whiff of shred here and there, some strutting fret work. But there is as much (or more) focus on song craft, melody and mood as there is musicianship.

One might expect that this album would at least hint at Spock's Beard since most of the members are present on most tracks. Even brother Neal lends a hand co-writing some of the songs and co-producing the CD. But you'd never know the players involved had anything to do with neo-prog. It rarely even approaches metal. Yes, Alan shows off his chops (it is a guitarist's solo album), but so does everyone involved and its very clear from the get-go that Alan set out to 'not make a Spock's Beard album'. He did not. And if SB ever decides to call it quits and go their seperate ways, Alan needn't retire, not as long as he's got a few more Dixie Dregs albums left in him. ;)

File under tasteful fusion/instrumental.