Is Saga underrated on PA
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Topic: Is Saga underrated on PA
Posted By: Icarium
Subject: Is Saga underrated on PA
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 09:42
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Before I became a PAer I had the view that Saga was a highly respected band in progressive rock, at least in Scandinavia they are almost viewed upon as s third tier prog band. I know these underrated terms are tired and old but it is nice to spark a discussion Saga is crossover prog so it might probably be moved to prog polls, but I made it here for now, I think their importance in the 80s prog scene is not so much been discussed, but they are as important to the sound of 80s prog and AOR as Marillion, Asia, IQ and 80s Genesis were. Their synth work is very virtuous and technical, the guitar is often aggressive with epic guitar solos, heavy drumming and the amazing voice of Michael Sadler. are Saga undervalued underrated thoughts -------------  
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Replies:
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 09:54
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I had never heard of Saga until about 5 or 6 years ago when I saw bands being referenced as sounding like Rush or Saga, so I checked them out and I really liked what I heard. I found out later that they had actually toured with Rush once, as did Marillion, but I wasn't a Rush fan at the time so I missed out on discovering them for many years. I think that their sound is too commercial for many PAers tastes, but personally, I love the band. ------------- 
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 10:03
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I personally only for now have the Live Chapters album (all the 16 chapters in the right order), and it is FANTASTIC recording, amazing sound and deliverance, you can't believe it is live. They are so tight and, melodic, dramatic; I can hear a certain Yes influence more than a Genesis influence, and probably also Rush and Uriah Heep. I think they stylistically bridges heavy progressive with symphonic progressive (which I in some aspects think they are important to the development of symphonic progressive metal and neo classical metal -------------
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Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 10:05
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Saga is big in the rural areas of Norway and has always been big in Norway. Ditto for Germany too. The Saga fan club/society in Norway is one of the better fanclubs around. Saga was also my ticket to progressive rock some twenty five years ago and I have a huge soft spot for Saga. I also have most of their albums and I am in the process of listening to and reviewing all of them. I would not define Saga as a prog rock band though. Pomp rock is the more suitable label for Saga. This band inherited/stole a lot of their sound from bands like The Human League and the British pomp pop scene in the 1970s. When that is said, Saga has some really good albums. They have released some turkeys too. None here is envying me for the task of having to listen to the likes of Steel Umbrellas and Wildest Dreams next week. But in general, I think Saga is a bit forgotten and ignored. But not in my house and not in your house either, I gather. And that is all that matters. I am now listening to Worlds Apart, perhaps their best ever album. |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 10:12
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what do you think of the Chapters Live album ^ -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 10:25
I reviewed Steel Umbrellas. It wasn't pretty.  Wildest Dreams is the only album that I don't have from them.
Chapters Live is a pretty good live album. I have a couple of their live DVDs and they are really good to watch. -------------
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 11:10
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No. They're overrated if anything. ------------- 
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Posted By: Catcher10
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 12:55
Anyhow it was during the Heads or Tales tour.....I do remember a great show and Sadler is just an amazing singer, the band plays so tight, very talented group.
I have mostly vinyl from them......Worlds Apart yea probably their best, some really great songs there. I also enjoy Behaviour....
But agree...no love for Saga on the PA
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toroddfuglesteg wrote:Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 13:21
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I don't know the band that well, but what I have heard I would not expect to be popular on a progressive music site and is not to my taste. I'd expect more popularity at a more mainstream/ classic rock type site. I've noticed this track many times on the radio, and it's the kind of stuff that would make me want to switch the dial. If talking undervalued, I think it's good to take a sampling of reviews and explain where you think people got it (objectively) wrong. Not my taste either: (incredibly boring/ terrible) I think the poll options lacking. ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 13:25
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weird that they've been bought up here i first heard them the other day on the radio (internet radio so don't get excited PA'ers!!) i only heard one track and it was great looked up on PA that it was off a newer album so whether their sound has changed much over the years i don' know but i could definitely really get into them. the fact that i've never heard of them till now probably does mean that they are underrated -------------  
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Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 16:35
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Saga are often associated with hard-rock or AOR, not so much with prog-rock. Maybe that's why they are overlooked by prog-rockers.
They are one of my favourite rock bands. ------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 16:38
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The poll is broken, and I can't seem to fix it. Can you continue without?
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 16:48
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ofcourse, I am flexible at that -------------
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 16:51
I will say that they are some how in their own litle sphere styleisticly, as I will call them Power art rock, art rock with alot of power and attitude. -------------
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 16:54
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they were influential, if quietly, on the Bay Area progressive metal scene during the 80s |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 16:56
I've had a broken poll for years |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 17:01
like "hsssh John Petruchi, don't tell anyone that you have listend to uss, don't mention us in the liner notes"
"krmt Geoff Tate, Michael don't want you to ever say that you have listend to he's singing"
not exactly Bay Area but was it somthing like this -------------
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Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 17:09
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^ Josh Pincus of the prog metal band Ice Age was certainly influenced by Michael Sadler.
Talking about Michael Sadler, he performs some incredible backing vocals on Bobby Kimball's song "who cries now". And he is often a guest for many AOR projects. His vocals are very rich in emotions.
------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 17:15
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^ i have that album -------------
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Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: October 29 2010 at 17:21
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His best ! "Is it over" is also a great song. ------------- "Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood) |
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 03:54
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I quite like the band. I saw their concert of 1981 in Dortmund on German TV. I collected it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5U5V6Yugbc&feature=&p=08CD09867F81BE18&index=0&playnext=1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5U5V6Yugbc&feature=&p=08CD09867F81BE18&index=0&playnext=1 I especially like Humble Stance, A Briefcase, Don't Be Late, How Long. |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 06:36
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If I could vote in this poll, I'd say maybe a little. Worlds Apart is a magnificent album anyway; it's in my top three of the 1982 vintage. But I must say that they are more a studio band. In Transit contains some poor renditions of the studio versions.
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 06:46
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my favourite song -------------
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 06:49
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and don't shoot becouse I say this but mr Sadler have probably the best voice in rock (not the best vocalist), but he's tone controll and range and flare is unbeatd (on the level of Mercury if even a bit better),
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Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 06:59
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amazing and defenitly symphnic prog, not so far from what the symph prog bands are doing, only shorter
and a fantastic guitar solo
whats so great with saga is that it is pure syphnic structures, very litle blues, and pentatonics, nor so much jazz chord usage, nearly almoust classikal structure (to most of the Chapters at least) -------------
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Posted By: rdtprog
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 07:39
| It always seems funny to me to see Rush associated with Saga. There is a huge difference on the level of complexity between the two. Saga are not really prog rock. There is a couple of song that i enjoy, but i wouldn't go back to put Saga on my cd player very often, except for the 13Th Generation cd, who is for me a little bit more challenging. |
Posted By: King Manuel
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 11:56
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Saga for me has always been a band comparable to Asia - and in a way also to Rush, in that sense that they have a certain proggyness to them, without actually being a true Progressive Rock band. I would call them a Rock Band with Prog Rock influence. Apart from that I like them quite a lot. Network is my favourite album by them (strangely this album does not get such good reviews). ------------- Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus |
Posted By: chrijom
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 11:57
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I'd say yes, but hey I can't vote so I suppose my opinion doesn't matter. Worlds Apart and Head or Tales *****
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Posted By: King Manuel
Date Posted: October 30 2010 at 11:58
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sorry forgot to say, yes they are as much underated, as Porcuine is overrated. ------------- Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus |
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: October 31 2010 at 17:27
I've always liked Saga's stuff and I'm not really sure why. On paper, they are just the kind of prog band that makes my skin crawl yet the album Behaviour is a big fave of mine. I'm very glad they bucked the trend for me and more power to 'em I say. 
------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: November 01 2010 at 03:55
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this is their best composition in my humble opinion
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Posted By: ferush
Date Posted: November 01 2010 at 15:50
| Saga is much better the people think, also it's a band that have been searching for the continuing own renovation and this is an artistic feature doesn't exist on the most of the bands. |
Posted By: nordwind
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 22:35
Truly an amazing band !  ------------- Jazz isn't dead.......it just smells funny. Frank Zappa / Live in New York |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 22:38
| great band, love me some Ian Crichton |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 22:39
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explain to me again why I can't vote ? |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 22:52
Appreciation is not a poll zone. I would say Saga aren't really rated at all. I've never heard anyone else bring them up, perhaps they're too embarrassing. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 23:02
So that Saga can be neither overrated nor underrated. If you see, it's all split at 1%. -------------
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 23 2011 at 23:06
or too Canadian |
Posted By: clarkpegasus4001
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 00:03
I've been listening to Saga since the first album. I tend to like some tracks on albums more than others. Steel Umbrella I bought on release and I thought it was a real disappointment. My fave is Security Of Illusion which I reckon is mega!  I really like what I heard from Human Condition, the title track is about my fave Saga track ever. I go against the grain because I really liked Rob, the last singer. I feel they are a really good band with excellent musicians especially Ian Crichton whose as good as anybody. Progressive? maybe. Perhaps they are a bit ignored here.......not by me.------------- Tony C. |
Posted By: AtomicCrimsonRush
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 00:26
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Yes. Saga deserve recognition but they somehow fly under the radar similar to Anekdoten. ------------- 
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Posted By: Gerinski
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 14:12
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I'm not familiar with all their discography but they have done great stuff, I love Worlds Apart the best of what I know, really a great album and unquestionably prog IMHO, the debut, In Transit, Generation 13th, House of Cards and Heads or Tales are also very enjoyable.
Especially the guitar work, often in combination with the keyboards is great and gives Saga their blueprint.
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Posted By: Hawkwise
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 14:24
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I think the word Underrated is well overrated
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Posted By: FunkyM
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 15:11
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Being from Canada, I often heard Saga's radio hits growing up. Their first five albums from their debut through Heads or Tails are great poppy prog-rock/proggy pop-rock. Their 1995 album Generation 13 is slightly darker, but also quite good. I once heard someone describe them as one of the first neo-prog bands (because their first album was released around 1978ish) so that might turn some people off right away. But I've always been fond of them. :) |
Posted By: Henry Plainview
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 22:42
Isn't that the same thing? ;-) Actually, despite being here for years now, the first time I heard of them was relatively recently when Henry Rollins mocked them in this awkward interview. ------------- if you own a sodastream i hate you |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 23:12
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Henry Rollins has always been a laid back kind of guy. Boy, was the little interviewer in way over his head. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: February 24 2011 at 23:57
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Rollins is a smart guy, and a total prick |
Posted By: progrules
Date Posted: November 03 2011 at 12:49
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Oh Oh, I'm making the same mistake all over again. This poll should have been for me at the time of its release but apparently I was absent in the forum in those days. I'm gonna make up here (just like I did with TFK earlier) with a top 25 of their songs:
1. Tired World
2. Framed
3. Images
4. Don't be late
5. Humble Stance
6. Wind him up
7. Ice Nice
8. Pitchman
9. Help me Out
10. No Stranger
11. The 13th Generation 12. Generation 13
13. Mind over Matter
14. Security of Illusion
15. Scratching the Surface
16. Too much to loose
17. (Goodbye) Once upon a Time
18. What do I know
19. You and the Night
20. Intermission
21. No Man's Land
22. Days like these
23. Without You
24. Careful where you step
25. On the Loose
And I could go on for a while mentioning several great songs by the band. If you watch carefully you will find no songs after the 1995 release in my top 25. And there's a reason for that. I lost touch with the bands sound and compositions from that turning point moment 1995. I owe House of Cards, Full Circle and Marathon but believ it or not: on all those three albums there is not one single track I truly enjoy. And therefore I quit buying their albums (like I did with Genesis, Yes and Rush by the way). But the first seventeen years of their career were interesting enough for me with an obvious decline in the late eighties (Steel Umbrella, Wildest Dreams).
Also for me Saga is one of the bands that brought me on the progressive track and I love them for that. Saw them live 5 times by the way and all gigs were great ! ------------- A day without prog is a wasted day |