It’s back-to-school time, which resurrects memories of my sophomore years in high school and college. By then, I -- and probably many of you -- thought I knew what to expect, how things worked, who I wanted as my friends.
And so it goes with Sophomore, the second album from the modern-day Crosby, Stills & Nash-like trio featuring former Spock’s Beard bandmates (Nick) D’Virgilio and (Neal) Morse along with Haken’s (Ross) Jennings. This record delivers more of the goodness you’d expect, based on the collective’s 2022 freshman release Troika: Sweet harmonies, natural melodies, introspective lyrics and the vibe of three overwhelmingly gifted musicians and vocalists collaborating to showcase each other’s strengths.
All three men take their turns in the spotlight, with each penning songs and singing lead. The breadth of instruments is impressive, too -- including ukelele (D’Virgilio), B3 organ and electric piano (Morse), and e-bow and xylophone (Jennings). The opening and closing Morse-penned tracks -- “Hard To Be Easy” and “Anywhere the Wind Blows” -- emerge as the strongest and catchiest. Morse also is credited with two of the album’s quietest pieces: “The Weary One” and the country-leaning “Right Where You Should Be.”
Meanwhile the upbeat “Tiny Little Fires” and classic rocker “Walking on Water” indicate Jennings is the perfect complement to D’Virgilio and Morse (who previously proved what they’re capable of doing together in Spock’s Beard). And “Mama” emerges as the album’s big rocker, helmed by D’Virgilio (who shares lead-vocal duties with Jennings, while Morse works the talk box), and its swagger and groove suggests another musical direction this trio could explore on future releases.
Taken collectively, the 10 songs on Sophomore (12, if you count the bonus track alternate versions of “Right Where You Should Be” and “The Weary One”) aren’t quite as immediate as those on Troika. But that shouldn’t deter listeners who are fans of these artists, as well as those who simply appreciate a good song well sung.
Track Listing
1. Hard To Be Easy
2. Linger At the Edge of My Memory
3. Tiny Little Fires
4. Right Where You Should Be
5. The Weary One
6. Mama
7. I’m Not Afraid
8. Weighs Me Down
9. Walking On Water
10. Anywhere the Wind Blows
11. Right Where You Should Be (Alternative Version)
12. The Weary One (Alternative Version)
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