Search - Saga :: Full Circle

Bravo Saga!

B. Wright | SF Bay Area | 04/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is unlike any other Saga CD. It doesn't have much of the familiar synchronized guitar/keyboard runs up and down the scale none-the-less, but it is defintely Saga through and through. Yet, they have taken the plunge into more heavy rock with slower tempos.Full Circle is musically very sophisticated and aptly titled. The recording, engineering and mixing quality is probably the best I've heard from Saga bar none. Again, the songs are slower in tempo, but the musical craftsmanship is definately equal to that of Generation 13. In fact, one of the songs even has the voice of 'Sam' from Generation 13 (I'll let you discover it yourself. :) They've delved off into the deeper end of hard rock with this CD.You will appreciate this CD even if you are not a Saga fan. If you appreciate well written, played and composed hard rock, this CD will not disappoint you. I would say this is more like rock from the past, but it isn't. I mean, in one way it is. Full Circle is, in reality, full classic rock without being of that age and time. On the other hand, it is up-to-date with current recording and sound quality. It is RARE that a CD of this quality and musicianship is released in today's muck and garbage being churned out by the record labels.If you are a classic rock fan at all, this CD is not to be missed. I haven't found a song on this CD I haven't liked. I have to agree with members of the band when they said they thought this was the best CD they have released yet. It took me a few plays to get into the CD because I came in with preconceived notions of what I expected of Saga. But, when I let those notions go and opened up to the musical quality, it is easily one of their best releases yet. I'd say that Generation 13 is, in its own way, equally as good, but different. Generation 13 is one of the best rock opera/themed CDs in years and musically is great (in a different way, but still Saga, way). Full Circle shows exactly what Saga is capable of doing in a classic rock approach. This just shows exactly how musically diverse this band can be and still make it work for them successfully.Hands down one of the best CDs I've heard since Generation 13 (this includes comparisons with other bands even though Gen 13 is also a Saga release)... i.e., it knocked my socks off.Sound quality: 5 stars
Music composition: 5 stars
Mixing and Recording quality: 5 stars"

Full Circle Indeed!!!

NEOPROG RAN | EL PASO TX | 01/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the awful Pain and Pleasure I left this band fearing they had lost hope. What a mistake! I have rediscovered this band and boy was I missing out. Word of advice- don't buy Pleasure and Pain. Buy this one- great comeback!!!

Songlist:



1. Remember When (Chapter 9) Great first song- the Chapters continue in great fashion



2. The One - Great guitar and nice melody on this rocker



3. Follow Me - good use of children's choir and nice acoustic guitar with a nice synth solo



4. Uncle Albert's eyes (Chapt 13) Another awesome chapter song- maybe the best- great instrumental passages- speedy guitar and synth



5. Home- a mellow dramatic song with great guitar work



6. Don't say Goodbye - great



7. Time Bomb- great bass



8. Not This Way (Chapt 10)- beautiful...nice ending



9. Night to Remember- solid



10. Goodbye- unbelievable- guitar!!!!



This album is

An absolute prog. classic!!!!!!!! Also check out the live Chapters CD- it's excellent. This band is now better than ever."

It's not great, but it's still Saga.

Scott "Dr. Music" Itter | Naperville, Illinois United States | 08/10/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Welcome to Jurassic Park. The 80's dinosaurs still roam the Earth. Yes, this is the Saga from the 80's. The same "one-hit wonder" that brought you "On The Loose" from their 1981 "Worlds Apart" record. They really only had the one hit with "On The Loose", but the record really is worthy of much more. So, picking up this release, fresh from 2003, what am I expecting to hear? Better yet, what am I hoping to hear? Well, honestly, instead of expecting to hear a "has been" band trying to fit in to the mass market sound, I thought I would hear a band that sticks to what they did best in the 80's, and that's good hook-laden power pop. Lo and behold, they've done just that, they present their 80's pop forte with a bright "throw back" element. If you are a fan of this band, or its' early 80's rock sound, you will enjoy this record.



Let me start by saying that I love 80's radio rock. I mean all of it, ...even the Culture Club stuff. Now, not believing my own honesty and candor, I must say that the Saga-type bands of the 80's were always my favorites. Their was an edge, a passion, to what they were saying and playing. Most of the early 80's stuff was just silly fun, and we all loved it. Saga actually had a purpose, and a talent that was unique for their genre; which, sadly, may be the reason for only the one hit, ...they weren't enough "fun". So, is this a typical Saga record? Oh yeah.

When the first track lashes out at you, you are instantly transported back to 1981. With a sound very reminiscent of "On The Loose" and songs like it, "Remember When (Chapter 9)" is the genuine article. Solid vocals, simple structure to the song writing, and a sharp production combine for a successful opening track. The record continues the excellent pace through the first 4 tracks. The second track on the record, "The One", is as good as anything out there. A great song all around. The third track slows the tempo a bit, but showcases the arranging talent of the band. "Follow Me" incorporates a boys choir that sings the catchy chorus, and the song turns into somewhat of a lullaby. It's a really interesting pop song. When the record starts to slip, in my opinion, is at the sixth track entitled "Don't Say Goodbye". I double checked the cover on the CD when I heard this Queensryche track. This is almost worthy of a lawsuit, folks. The political newscast in the background to start the tune, the bass line, the vocal accenting on lyrics like "Feel the dragon's breath under your feet"; it is all Queensryche, and it's blatantly obvious. Not a terrible song, just not a Saga song. The album re-energizes with the sleek "Time Bomb". A rocker with plenty of power and style. Now, here is where the record takes a dive. "Not This Way (Chapter 10)" has a wealth of potential, and teases the idea of being structurally sound, but it never reaches its' full bloom. With a very elegant and catchy chorus, a lame feedback-driven guitar part slows the song too much, and ringing in at over 5 minutes, makes it agonizing. The next track, "A Night To Remember", seems to be a run-on also. With a lot of stylish and likeable elements, it is a song that I yearn to appreciate; but, at 5:44, it seems to wear out its welcome at about 4:30. That one extra minute seems to be a rehashing of the previous 4:30. It's a bit tedious. And then the cherry on top. "Goodbye" feels, once again, like a Queensryche inspired track. A vocal showcase that is meant for a masterful vocal virtuoso like Queensryche's Geoff Tate, not Saga's Michael Sadler. He doesn't make a fool of himself, he just does not deliver that chill down your spine as a singer of Geoff Tate's caliber would. He wrote this song to send a chill, that's quite obvious; but the only chill I got was from my drafty office window.



So,....what do I think of this record, right? I really enjoy the first half, plus a few more. I think there are 3-5 inferior songs. Oh, what to do? Well, considering their are 10 tracks on the record....and I can confidently say that 5 of them are winners....then let's go to the middle of the road.



OVERALL RATING: 5 (1-10 scale)

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