|
When a band has been around for
over twenty five years it's usually a big challenge to keep
a consistent line-up and vision together. Saga hasn't been
plagued by the problems of the bigger progressive rock acts
since they were only stars on the big international stage
for a few years in the infancy of MTV, and opened concerts
for Jethro Tull (Broadsword and the Beast tour). The quintet
has retained three founding members and cultivated a long
standing devoted fan base in Germany (like Barclay James Harvest)
with a renewed outlook on their concept album approach. Trust
has many of the strong factors that have kept the band identity
intact over the years: catchy rock pieces with keyboard and
guitar unisons, a driving rhythm section and a recognizably
strong vocalist. Pieces such as "Back to the Shadows" and
"It's Your Life" are a return to form with heavy synth keyboard
layering, trademark flashy soloing and guitar clever accompaniments.
The acoustic guitar ballad "My Friend" co-penned by Ian Crichton
and Jim Crichton is a nice touch of atypically arrangement
with Jim's clarinet part being especially poignant. In stark
contrast, the title track is a pushy piece of power rock with
Michael Sadler's lead vocal's being spot on.
The group has always been keen to
compose pieces that balance the various aspects of the band
identity. Backing vocal changes are bit prominent on "Footsteps
in the Hall" where counterpoint guitar parts come to play
in another display of consistent player dexterity. The only
valid complaint I have with the disc is that it is a bit short
time wise but there are no filler pieces. With both Sadler
and Gilmour working acclaimed solo careers in parallel with
band work the gamble appears to have paid off by strengthening
Saga's outlook. The band recently completed a sold out tour
in Germany and Scandinavia with and end date in the UK. American
fans are still wondering if they will appear anytime soon
stateside but don't hold your breath due to expensive tour
costs.
THE REVIEW - Jeff Melton
|
