TransAtlantic
Bridge Across Forever

The TransAtlantic is a super band in Progressive Rock, formed in 2000 and consisting of 4 members originating from other groups of the same or similar genre (members: Pete Trewavas, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt, and Neal Morse). The 2nd chapter of TransAtlantic (the one I decided to review) is called "Bridge Across Forever." Released in 2001, it is one of the most significant albums among Mike Portnoy's side projects (Dream Theater). There are few tracks (4), but it's also worth noting that the album, with only 4 tracks, lasts a full 76 minutes.

It begins with "Duel With The Devil," a little 26-minute suite that, at least from what I understand, talks about devil's possessions (an example could be the film "The Exorcist") and this fight against malevolent temptation. A beautiful song, with an intro of only violins and cellos, which then gives voice to the piano, bringing the rest along with it. An entire intro that fades to make room for Neal Morse's voice. The rhythm in this song varies from theme to theme, ending with sweet sounds of bells. Then the situation changes. The second track, "Suite Charlotte Pike," immediately follows, a funk rhythm considered a tribute to the dear old Beatles. The song starts by gradually increasing in volume. A classical guitar riff accompanied by Trewavas and Portnoy on bass and drums. After a short time, everything stops, only to restart definitively from scratch. One of the Beatlesque characteristics we find in this second suite is the group's various choirs, which we encounter around 10 minutes into the song. Moving on, we find "Bridge Across Forever." A ballad of only piano and voice, performed by Neal Morse. Strangely, it is the shortest song on the album (only 5 minutes!) and also seems that it doesn’t quite fit into the entire album, if not for the fact that it gives the CD its title. After the calm offered by BAF, it proceeds with the last suite, "Stranger in Your Soul." It begins as "Duel With The Devil" did, to later transition into a melancholy and delightful theme, which degenerates with a distorted guitar leading to the second theme of the song. A peculiar vocal duet of Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy. Strangely, the song ends around 25 minutes, but after a minute and a half of pause, a new theme resumes, very different from the rest of the song. Listening to the album, you will notice that it is strangely calm for being a Progressive Rock side project. Someone listening to it anonymously could easily mistake it for a '70s album.

TransAtlantic is still active, although the last studio recording was this one, but in 2003, Neal Morse released "The Transatlantic Demos," and in that same year, the group did a tour, producing a "Live in Europe" on CD-ROM. They are little known, and this is normal, being a non-official group. A Side Project like any other, in my opinion, inferior to the projects of the Liquid Tension Experiment. The gem of this CD is precisely "Duel With The Devil." It should be purchased just for this song.

Tracks: 01. Duel With The Devil (26:43) I. Motherless Children II. Walk Away III. Silence of The Night IV. You're not Alone V. Almost Home 02. Suite Charlotte Pike (14:30) I. If She Runs II. Mr. Wonderful III. Lost and Found pt. 1 IV. Temple of the Gods V. Motherless Children / If She Runs (Reprise) 03. Bridge Across Forever (5:33) 04. Stranger in Your Soul (26:05) I. Sleeping Wide Awake II. Hanging in the Balance III. Lost and Found pt. 2 IV. Awakening the Stranger V. Slide VI. Stranger in Your Soul.