SAGA – 20/20

Ear Music/Edsel 2012

A lot has happened since Saga’s last studio album ‘The Human Condition’ back in 2009. The biggest news is the return of original vocalist Michael Sadler, replacing Rob Moratti. The band also have a new drummer in Mike Thorne and have left Inside Out for their new label Ear Music/Edel.

This album picks up from where the last album with Sadler, ’10,000 Days’ left off. It is full of catchy, upbeat songs that may have a reflective lyric but contain a positive spin. The album also includes one of the heaviest songs they have ever recorded in ‘Spin It Again’. This song has a driving bass line Lemmy would be proud off.

‘Any Where You Wanna Go’ and ‘Six Feet Under’ combine keys, tasty guitar riffs and highly infectious choruses. If there was any justice in daytime radio these songs would be regular plays.

Throughout the album the keyboards are certainly back more in the mix and quantity with Sadler back onboard. That’s not to say Ian Crichton’s guitar solos are not present – he is one of the most underrated guitarists in the rock scene.

‘Lost For Words’ is a ballad and a chance for Sadler’s vocals to shine, along with some lovely backing harmonies. ‘Show And Tell’ is the nearest the band get to a prog rock wig out. Mind you Saga have stuck to their guns and produced albums they enjoy and for this fan I am glad they are not doing albums like those from the mid-90′s.

Fans of the band will love this album and those who like keyboards led melodic rock would be well advised to grab a copy.

****1/2

Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)