Search Music Review Archives

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Review Archives

1 | 2 | 3

Music Links:
Missing Piece
Metal-Nose
Prog-Nose
Dutch Progressive
ProgressiveWorld
Proggnois
Proglands
Prog Archives
Musea Music
Syn-phonic Mail Order
Laser's Edge
Metal- Nose
Kinesis
Prog - 4 - You
Prog Pulsion
Spanish Prog Page--PRPM
Prog-Resiste
Giant Progweed
Garden Shed
Hairless Heart
Sonic Cathedral
Arlequins
Prog Rock Ring
Sea Of Tranquility
Rock Report
AOR Dream Zone
ProgNaut
ProgressiveEars
GhostLand
Ladies Of Metal
ZNR Records
Progressor
Gnosis
Other Links
Bathtub of Adventures
Dragon's Links
Unger's Prog World
German Web Ring
Prog.Web
Axiom Of Choice
New Horizons
G.E.P.R.
Colossus
Progressive Magazine
Progressive Newsletter
E-Prog
Zoltan's Progressive
Prog Radio. Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Michael Sadler- Clear

Label - Progrock
Reviewed by: Tim Burness
Genre: Prog Rock
Country: Canada
Language: English
Length: 56.53
Release Date: September 7, 2004
Label:
Progrock
Band Members: Michael Sadler / keyboards Chris Frazier / drums
  Tim Emmons / bass Lino / guitars
  Marcus Deml / guitars Thomas Schmitt-Zijnen / keyboards
  Fred White, Valerie Pinkston, Will Wheaton, Lynn Fiddemont: L.A. choir Martin Stehl: additional programming
  Jessica Luckey, Gwen Sadler, Ina Morgan, Ashley Higgins, Jana and Hana Howden, Faye and Nicole Zijnen: additional vocals  
     
Track Listing: 1.)-Who's Sorry Now (4.46) 8.)-In The Name Of Love (4.02)
  2.)- Who's Foolin' Who (4.58) 9.)- Why We Lie (4.47)
  3.)- Too Much Time On My Hands (4.46) 10.)-One Heart (4.10)
  4.)- I'm Not The Enemy (5.21) 11.)-Surrender Your Heart (6.19)
  5.)- Can't Let Go (3.56) 12.)-Clear (4.57)
  6.)-Lonely (4.03)  
  7.)One Minute (4.33)  
     
The Review

With "Clear", Saga front man Michael Sadler has delivered a powerful album of dynamic, high quality, pop-rock. Although the polished and commercial American sound tends to wash over these English ears after a while, there are enough interesting musical touches to make this a good, often excellent, listen. The album is tastefully packaged and the overall feel is of a strong and life-affirming personal statement from Michael. ***

The production from Thomas Schmitt-Zijnen is first rate as is the musicianship from Sadler's band, all established pros in their own right. Not surprisingly for a man who has had a lengthy career fronting rock giants Saga, Michael's voice is excellent throughout. Despite the sometimes painful soul-searching lyrics, there is an overall upbeat vibe running through "Clear". Possible reference points for the (very eighties) sound could be In Excess, The Fixx, Mister Mister and of course Saga. There are occasional prog and world music touches with a flavour of Peter Gabriel or Steve Hackett and these prevent the songs from sliding into too much of a bland pop formula.

A gospel chorus is used to great effect on "Too Much Time On My Hands", with the rather self-pitying lyric delivered in ecstatically joyful tones! A ridiculously catchy chorus and one of the best songs on the album. The chorus of "One Heart" is another one that sticks in your head whether you want it to or not, and this song also includes probably the best guitar solo on the album from Marcus Deml. "Surrender Your Heart" is another standout track that has a touch of eighties Rush about it. ***

"Can't Let Go" is an emotional ballad with some tasteful acoustic guitar and subtle string arrangements. Some of the tracks such as the opening "Who's Sorry Now" and "I'm Not The Enemy" use a sequenced keyboard arpeggio to drive the pace along nicely. One or two tracks such as "In The Name Of Love" however, are nice enough but have nothing to make them stand out from a thousand other comforting "adult pop" tunes. ***

The album finishes on an optimistic note with the title track, guitars crashing all around as Michael states his position. "All the walls have fallen, now that I'm finally clear, I finally found a way to face my fears, yes I'm finally clear". Nice one. ***

http://www.timburness.com

 

Release Dates

Daily Update News/Preview
Progressive Rock
AOR & Hard Rock
Progressive Metal
Flower Kings-Paradox Hotel-Jason's Review
Flower Kings-Paradox Hotel-Eric's Review
Flower Kings-Paradox Hotel-Angela's Review
David Gilmour-On An Island
Dead Soul Tribe-The Dead Word
Tangent-A Place In The Queue- Jason B.
Jadis-Photoplay-Jason B.
"3"- Wake Pig
Jadis-Photoplay
Shadow Gallery-Room-V
Rush-(R-30) -DVD
Izz-My River Flows
Soft Machine-Floating World-Live
Yes-Tsongas-DVD
Steve Walsh-Shadowman
Neal Morse-One
James LaBrie-Elements Of Persuasion
Canvas Solaris-Penumbra Diffuse
RPWL-World Through My Eyes-Jason's Review
It Bites-Live In London
Spock's Beard-Gluttons For Punishment-Live
Arena-Pepper's Ghost
Magenta-Seven
Pallas-River-2-Live
Kaipa-Mindrevolutions
Dream Theater-Budokan-Live-DVD
David Gilmour-On An Island-Andy's Review
RPWL-World Through My Eyes
ELP-Beyond The Beginning-DVD
Steve Howe-Spectrum
Fish-Bouillabaisse- Perception Of Fish
Blackmore's Night-Castle & Dreams-Dvd
Peter Gabriel-Still Growing Up-DVD
Peter Gabriel-Play-DVD
Camel-Coming Of Age-DVD
Genesis-Way We Walk -Live-DVD
Who-Quadrophenia-DVD
Magellan-Symphony For A Misanthrope
Tomas Bodin-I AM
Flower Kings-Adam & Eve
Jim Gilmour-Great Escape
Kino-Cutting Room Floor
Nick Magnus-Hexameron
A Place In The Queue-Gordon Review
Roine Stolt-Wall St. Voodoo-Russ's Review
Pallas-Dreams Of Men-2 Disc
IQ-Live In London-Dvd "85"
Pallas-Live In London-Dvd-"85"
Karnataka-Delicate Flame Of Desire
K2-Book Of The Dead
Proto-Kaw-The Wait Of Glory
Pendragon-Believe
Neal Morse-?
Red Sand-Gentry
Van Der Graaf Generator-Present
Roine Stolt-Wall St. Voodoo-Brent's Review
Roine Stolt-Wall St. Voodoo- ordon's -Review
Quidam-surREvival
Kaipa-Keyholder
Kino-Picture
Tangent-A Place In The Queue-Wayne
Riverside-Second Life Syndrome
Magrathea-Legends
Pendragon-Live & Last-DVD
Frameshift-An Absence Of Empathy
John Hackett-Checking Out Of London
Circus Maximus-The 1st Chapter
Geoff Downes-Shadows & Reflections
Wetton/Downes-Icon
Saga-Network
Syn-Syndestructible
Jon Anderson-Tour Of The Universe
Porcupine Tree-Deadwing
The Watch-Vacuum
Dream Theater-Train Of Thought
Magellan- Impossible Figures
Ayreon-Human Equation
Flower Kings-Adam & Eve
Vinyl Kings-A Little Trip
Asia-Silent Nation
Yes-House Of Yes-House Of Blues-Cd
Marillion-Anoraknophopia
Big Elf-Hex
John Wetton-Rock Of Faith
John Wetton-Underworld
Martin Orford-Classical Music
Grand Stand-Tricks of Time
Rush-Vapor Trails
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Copyright @ Teakwood Productions 2000