SAGA

Saga

Crossover Prog

3.71 | 268 ratings

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The Crow
Prog Reviewer

First album from one of the Canada's most important prog-rock bands!

And while this album can be considered a typical AOR flick of the late 70's it contains enough interesting elements which will appeal prog lovers. The keyboards are very present through the whole record and the complex guitar work and syncopated riffs from Ian Crichton are a pleasure to hear, and they are definitely one of the trademarks that make the sound of Saga a very recognizable one, along with the excellent vocals from Michael Sadler.

Sadly, the album has some flaws in the form of a pair of strange and lackluster tracks (the boring and pseudo-punk � la Stranglers Humble Stance, for example) which lower the general level of the album. The production sounds also a bit dated today, especially the weak and unspectacular drums.

But don't take me wrong! The album is excellent and it managed to insufflate new energy to the genre in the late 70's while other consolidated acts like Yes, Camel and Jethro Tull were failing to evolve toward new horizons.

Best Tracks: How Long (typical Saga track, very rhythmic and funny), Climbing the Ladder (Michael Sadler demonstrates why he is one of the finest prog-rock singers and the keyboard and guitar solos are wonderful), Will it be You? (epic, with great vocal melodies and very progressive) and Perfectionist (a true Saga classic and the last song they played live in their final show in Puerto Rico!)

Conclusion: Saga started their career gracefully with a very good record full with splendid vocal melodies, a great and very particular guitar sound and their typical AOR feeling mixed with wonderful progressive passages.

It's not perfect by any means, but Saga is still one of the best albums of this recently disbanded band and a worthy addition to any prog music collection.

We will miss you, guys!

My rating: ****

The Crow | 4/5 | 2018-12-12

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