Search - Saraya :: Saraya

A lost gem

Keen Anthony | Scottsdale, AZ | 04/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Once known as "Alsace Lorraine", the New Jersey based Saraya was groomed by Polygram to be the next Bon Jovi. Unfortunately, Saraya never achieved that critical success, and the band faded into rock & roll obscurity fairly quickly after just releasing two albums.



Musically, Saraya had a straight-forward hard rock style coupled with heavy metal riffs and passionate singing that made the band fit in well in the late 80s hair metal scene. While they lacked the punch of many of the heavier hair metal acts of the day, Saraya's music was not bubblegum-flavored pop metal. The group was influenced by the female-powered rock & roll of Pat Benetar, Heart, and The Pretenders, and Sandi Saraya's heart-felt vocals elevated their music above the commercial fray. Her singing never came across as shallow or manufactured, a fact that won the Saraya many loyal fans.



Saraya's 1989 self-titled debut was not a landmark album by any means, although it did peak at #79 on the Billboard 200 that year. It is a good solid body of work from end to end , opening with "Love Has Taken It's Toll" a favorite play on MTV's original "Dial MTV" and "Hard 30" afternoons shows. This album, as with their second recording, "When the Blackbird Sings", is a now out of print. Both albums are worthwhile purchases, but unfortunately, neither album features "Timeless Love", a power-ballad that appeared on the motion picture soundtrack to Wes Craven's Shocker. "Timeless Love" is a clear example of the power and emotion Saraya was capable of achieving, and it is perhaps one of the best rock power-ballads ever performed.



Track Listing:



01. Love Has Taken It's Toll (5:21)

02. Healing Touch (4:43)

03. Get U Ready (3:11)

04. Gypsy Child (4:39)

05. One Night Away (4:39)

06. Alsace Lorraine (0:50)

07. Runnin' Out Of Time (4:14)

08. Back To The Bullet (3:58)

09. Fire To Burn (4:38)

10. St. Christopher's Medal (4:21)

11. Drop The Bomb (5:54)"

Best Female AOR/Melodic Rock!!

Stuart M. Tysinger | Johnson City, TN | 09/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saraya is the best female AOR/Melodic Rock band in music. They released two vey solid albums but for some reason could not get support from the record labels. They should have been huge selling out arenas. But unfortunately this cd came out in 1989. And as we know, Grunge killed any hopes of success for AOR/Melodic Rock Bands. If you do not have this cd get it, you will not regret it."

Must Own

D. LaRock | upstate NY | 10/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album takes me back to such a fun time in my life. Iwas 18 and could relate to these tunes so easily, whether I was having trouble at home with my folks or trouble with my girlfriend at the time or something like that. I miss music like this so much. Saraya is awesome."