GENERATION 13

In the second halve of the nineties modern neo-progressive rock was reinvented by bands like Pallas, Arena, IQ, Pallas ánd Saga. WIth 'Generation 13' Saga released a concept album that is quite sophisticated and progressive compared to their often more crossover prog style. The band leans on the work of Pink Floyd's The Wall when it comes to how varied and psychedelic a concept album should be. Furthermore, the band tries to portray it's own troubled generation here. The album has a slightly vague and dated production that does give it a very distinct neo-prog atmosphere. The guitars of Ian Crichton are great as usual and he plays some of his best riffs on this album (take for instance the main theme 'Generation 13'). Vocalist Michael Sadler sounds a bit less 'pumpin' on this album, more refined I would say. I can also hear some influences of nineties alternative rock on this album. This is the type of concept album that launches different styles of songs in quick succession (symphonic, rock, psychedelic, spacey, folky) and throws around some reprises as well. For instance; a song like 'Danger Whistle' starts like psychedelic folk song, changes into a spacey symphonic track and ends up in a horror-type of film music. It is followed by a psychedelic funky snippet before entering the neo-prog classic title song. There are strange vocal effects and spoken word snippets all over the place and I'm guessing some listeners aren't too happy about it. I must admit that at first I though this album had some great tracks hidden between quite a lot of semi- interesting psychedelic fluff, but the album can grown on you I found. Like most neo-prog it is distinctly hard to 'get into' if you are not already a great fan of the genre. 'Generation 13' is a sort of minor masterpiece of the neo-prog genre and a bold move that might just have inspired groups like IQ and Arena to start working on their own concept albums later in this decade. A remixed / remastered version of this on a double vinyl would be nice (hint to record industry)!