Does anyone find their performance on the first couple of songs to be flawed? Sounds to me like there are errors and they really don't quite get their act together until chapter 3 or 4. Not complaining though, its freaking awesome that they performed the entire 16 chapters in a concert. I just wish they would have captured it on video as well as audio.
Well, I've never had any problems with my taste and my judgment of quality inhabiting different centers of my brain. There's a lot of music I enjoy that I still know is not particularly great, and there's music that I find quantifiably great that I don't particularly enjoy. I've always been that way.
I quite enjoy the first Phenomena album, for instance, even though I know it's complete cheese. And I fully recognize Frank Zappa's immense talent, but I hardly ever feel like listening to his albums. Then there's the times when taste and quality coincide, as in Genesis, King Crimson, Magma, Free, Joni Mitchell, Wayne Shorter - thankfully that list is pretty long
One of my fav bands - although the last couple of albums have been a tad disappointing.
I've always liked Full Circle better than House of Cards. It has a slightly harder edge to it.
Did you ever listen to Heads or Tales (1983)? Revisit "The Flyer," "The Writing" and "Scratching The Surface."
Marathon should have been their greatest album "since" the reformation of the definitive quintet (meaning the one everyone likes the best, with Gilmour on keys and Negus on drums), but it's really underwhelming. Network's just okay, and Trust is a bit better. Not till 10,000 Days did they release an album I've come to like as much as Full Circle.
I consider the first five albums, Saga through Heads or Tales — plus the archival release Phase One, which consists of songs and demos recorded circa 1978-79 — to be essential. Those pretty much define the band. Everything else is an extension of what's laid down on those five albums. the subsequent Behaviour and Wildest Dreams are their most commercial outings, and the lauded (but overrated) Generation 13 is a non-"Chapters" concept that never really takes off (IMO).
Their best work will always run between '78-'83. It's amazing these two songs didn't land on Images at Twilight or Silent Knight. Had they swapped out "Compromise" (from SK) for "Hangman," it would be a 5-star record. It's still my favorite, either way.
Crikey! Someone else who also knows Marathon, Chandelier & Everon! Not sure I see the Saga similarity in either of Chandelier or Everon.
Back to Saga - I always give their new studio albums a chance but only House of Cards reached the quality of their first 9 IMHO. Great band!
I have loved Saga since the first time I saw them on TV. 3 Keyboard Players! Wow! Sadly, my wife hated them from that same exact moment, because the first time she saw them on TV, Michael Sadler was going with the Football Pants and Knee Pads look. It skived her out.
With the exception of "Pleasure and Pain" I thoroughly enjoy all of their albums, With "Generation 13" being my favorite.
Odd, my favorite song of theirs, is arguably their least Prog. A blatant attempt to have a Pop Hit. "See them Smile". For some reason, everytime this plays on my IPOD, the hair on the back of my neck stands up.
Well, the influence is mostly in the guitarist's use of riffs at places, nowhere as pronounced as with Marathon, but there (Ian Crichton is often credited as the heart and soul of Saga, so his playing seems to be the thing about the Saga "sound" that gets imitated). Otherwise Chandelier were a standard second-rate Marillion clone. Uninspiring, I agree, but at least they made something they always get mentioned for with that ludicrous Star-Trek-meets-bad-cock-rock attempt. I've yet to read a single review of the Timecode album that didn't mention at least the title of the song!
In an old live clip I watched recently, the main keyboardist had (2) Memory Moogs, (2) Minis, a Liberation, and there was at least one set of Taurus pedals. Endorsement deal?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3HUTV5hZNI
I have all those Chandelier CDs too! I actually like the first one, "Pure," quite a bit. The other two never did much for me. I'll bet you guys have the Sinister Street CDs too, right?
Just out of curiosity. I ain't gonna buy anything right now, can't download anything(thanks, Cox) and I don't want to Youtube a album as that mostly sucks.
I only know On The Loose and really dug that when it was played on EmptyV. Is there any sort of consensus on what album I should buy(again, it won't be now but maybe in the near future)?
I'm going to have to check out this band at some point.
Carry On My Blood-Ejaculating Son - JKL2000
Ten different people will give you ten different answers. Certainly can't go wrong with the first few. I also really dig House of Cards and 20/20. I thought 20/20 was a great return to form but I see I might be in the minority here.
That said, I haven't heard a Saga album I didn't like and I've heard most.
Jon
They really are a band where I'd say start with the first and work your way forward. Or, try the first, then try Worlds Apart, and if you like them work forward from the second onward.
Jon, I'm really enjoying 20/20 too.
I have the 3 Chandelier CDs. Here is my rating:
Pure *** (about 50% very good stuff, like early Marillion)
Facing Gravity ***** (a melodic prog masterpiece. Glimpse Of Home, Wash & Go are as good as it gets.
Timecode **** (yes really, it's a grower, has a certain depressing feel to it, but I like it)
* Struggles to keep the thread on track...and fails! Sorry, I really am. *
* gets thread back on topic *
I have the SPV remastered CDs. The ones with the black surround on the cover art. Anyone noticed the terrible sound of The Flyer on Heads or Tails? Horribly tinny. Really noticeable playing this right after Silent Knight and Images at Twilight
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