Troika
Neal Morse · 2022
60 min · 12 tracks · progressive rock
A sweeping blend of progressive rock and heartfelt Christian themes, showcasing intricate musicianship and spiritual introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Everything I Am Start here — This opening track encapsulates the album's theme of self-reflection and spiritual awakening, featuring soaring melodies and rich instrumental layers that set the tone for the project.
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King for a Day — With its dynamic shifts and powerful chorus, this track explores themes of humility and the fleeting nature of power, showcasing Morse’s knack for storytelling through music.
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A Change Is Gonna Come — This cover reinterprets a classic civil rights anthem with a fresh perspective, merging Morse's signature sound with a poignant message of hope and resilience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features intricate compositions and dynamic shifts but lacks a strong cohesive flow across all tracks.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate dynamic shifts, moving from soft, introspective verses to powerful, climactic choruses.
- The album includes recurring musical themes that are revisited in different contexts throughout the tracklist.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with reflective moments
- introspective themes for deep thinking
- balanced progression through emotional arcs
- suitable for contemplative listening sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Strong release showcasing continued vitality in Morse's career.
- Themes
- spiritual awakening· theological reflections· civil rights resilience
- Moods
- Introspective· Chill
- Career context
- Neal Morse released 'Troika' in 2022 as a collaborative project with fellow musicians Mike Portnoy and Randy George, marking his return to the studio after a series of successful solo albums. This album follows his 2021 work, 'Sola Scriptura,' further establishing his reputation for blending complex musical structures with deep theological reflections.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Transatlantic· Spock's Beard· The Flower Kings
Tracklist
- 1 Everything I Am Start here 5:41
- 2 Julia 6:07
- 3 You Set My Soul on Fire 3:22
- 4 One Time Less 4:53
- 5 Another Trip Around the Sun 4:39
- 6 A Change Is Gonna Come 4:24
- 7 If I Could 4:02
- 8 King for a Day 5:47
- 9 Second Hand Sons 4:43
- 10 My Guardian 3:43
- 11 What You Leave Behind 4:16
- 12 Julia (alternate version) 8:19
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Bridge Across Forever
Transatlantic
Similar expansive compositions with spiritual overtones and intricate musicianship.
Space Revolver
The Flower Kings
Combines progressive rock elements with lyrical themes of introspection and enlightenment.
V
Spock's Beard
Shares a rich blend of complex structures and lyrical depth, focusing on personal and spiritual journeys.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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