Over 53 minutes and 12 tracks Morse, along with bassist Dave LaRue and drummer Van Romaine, blaze through some of the coolest licks and riffs you're likely to hear this year.

Morse, founder of the influential and underrated Dixie Dregs, does not approach these songs with an egotistical goal. Instead, he strives to create a meaningful tune while spicing it with loud, blazing solos or elegant acoustic flourishes. There's a bit of everything on "Split Decision" -- Zeppelin-style riffs, Celtic touches, country-flavored chords and folk melodies. Never once does Morse appear to be cribbing anyone else's work; these tracks are his own.

"Heightened Awareness" rockets the disc off with a frenzy of highly charged riffs and solos. "Marching Orders" is straight out of the Dregs' playbook as is "Mechanical Frenzy," the one cut that really erupts in a hellacious six-string squall. "Great Mountain Spirits" lays it down two ways: heavy and heavier.

While the first six tracks veer toward heavy rock, the final six tunes take a lighter tack.

"Gentle Flower, Hidden Beast" is a free, loose blues jam and LaRue throws down some funky bass notes. "Moment's Comfort" displays a mellow, jazzier touch but "Midnight Daydream" countrifies with slide guitar. "Back Porch" unfurls easily with elaborate acoustic playing.

The depth of Morse's playing cannot be understated. He has style, grace and conviction. All three are in abundance on "Split Decision." This is a stunning work that will gratify and amaze.

GRADE: 9.5