Amethyst Empire 2005 / Cymalick Music 2025
Two decades down the line from the start, Californian artist casts a glance back at his first attempt of metamorphosis.
Transformation
The noun “beginnings” is often accompanied by adjective “humble” – only this phrase couldn’t describe Tim Morse’s debut album. Despite his modesty as person, the American musician never lacked creative ambitions in the field of progressive rock which inherently implies perpetual change. Having such a change at the onset of one’s trip into the future would seem quite surprising, though, yet that’s the concept Morse based his initial offering on: a series of mind-altering incidents in an individual’s existence. Given the multi-instrumentalist’s proclivity for infectious pop – bound to get manifested later, on his works with THE MANGOES – the nine pieces Tim and producer Mark Dean wrote weren’t as cerebral as the YES covers the Sacramento denizen delivered with his other project, PARALLELS, but melodic allure of those tracks perfectly matched their intellectual premise. More so, they matured rather nicely, and the 20th anniversary reissue of the platter should emphasize the appeal of universal truths the record advanced.
Its remastered – and, in a download variant, expanded with live cuts and demos – edition may feel too polished in terms of sound, if not for the exquisite weave and vigor of numbers like “Present Moment” where subtle passages of Morse’s ivories are caressed and propelled forward by Dean’s acoustic strum and bass rumble, while Rich Zeller’s passionate vocals harness elemental energies. And while the obligatory tempo shifts may feel a bit artificial, the complex arrangements slowly but surely envelop the listener and allow the Spanish tinge of a few solos tug on the audience’s heartstrings, especially once “To Set Sail” opens up a riveting, riff-driven vista which guitar filigree and synthesizers motifs make simultaneously memorable and monumental. As a result, when the flamenco lace and dynamic burst of “Prelude” promise a full-on adventure, the scene has already been prepared for Tim’s spiritual voyage to unfold – here’s the reason why the elegant sonic assault of “Shatter” – whose organ waves could otherwise pack a menacing punch – will appear softened, and the monk chant and chamber beauty of “Temptation” – that turns cosmic further on, with folk and fusion added to the cut’s stylistic blend – will come across as very enchanting.
All of these components meld into the epic panorama of “Apocalyptic Visions” that sticks to the guidelines of Morse’s chosen genre quite close for comfort – something easy to forgive on one’s first album – yet rather impressive in its symphonic heaviness and wondrous scope which “Ascension” dissolves in silence. So yes, Tim’s beginnings weren’t humble, and this is what should render “Transformation” ambitiously fabulous.
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