Saga - The Human Condition
To say that Michael Sadler's departure and Rob Moratti's arrival add up to a significant change for Saga could be construed as simply stating the obvious.
But it's more than that.
More than any other member, the vocalist defines the band's sound. He makes it identifiable. His voice is the hook on which recognition of the band is hung.
Witness Journey's travails in finding the "right" vocalist. Hear just how similar in sound is Kelly Hansen to Lou (ex Foreigner) Gramm. Remember Judas Priest's much publicised search for Rob Halford's replacement. And so on.
 
Moratti's recent work with Mladen and their band, Final Frontier, was very much in the smooth, lightweight but heavily harmonised style of eighties' AOR.
Both here and in Japan, the band caused quite a few ripples without creating too many waves.
Accordingly, the Moratti fronted Saga have chosen to open their latest studio album with the almost all instrumental title track. Vocally, only the processed hook line appears, and it appears only periodically through the track's near 7 minute duration.
Otherwise, the track is given over to Ian Crichton's ultra progressive, pentatonic fretwork, guiding Gilmour's keys and brother Ian's bass through choppy, hard-to-navigate progrock waters.
This track is clearly meant to be a strong opening statement. Affirmation that the motivation and the inspiration are both still there in abundance. But equally, relegating Moratti to a minor role could be seen as a lack of confidence that the marriage has worked.
The truth falls somewhere in between.

On 'Step Inside' a heavy riff and dramatic keyboards herald a sublime mix of contemporary, industrial strength progrock and melodic rock.
On 'The Hands Of Time', the tempo slows, the screen widens, and a colourful, softly undulating soundscape is revealed. Gradually, the lyrics begin to divulge the concept behind the album, picking up on the premise that underpins the title track.
 
But from here, it's downhill.
We plateau momentarily on the AOR-ish 'Avalon', a track that vividly brings Moratti's work with Mladen to mind, but we slip further down the precipice with 'A Number With A Name'.
You get the clear feeling that the band is coasting now, recycling old ideas, using reconstituted riffs and tired themes. To the extent that once you reach Track 7, 'Let It Go', you're past caring about the underlying concept. You just want to hear some vintage Saga.
Bookended between those two tracks is 'Now Is Now' - arguably the best song here, though tellingly, it's more Moratti than Saga.
 
I'll say this though: the production and engineering are outstanding. The album's crystalline sound has depth, width and colour.
If only the material had been stronger.
On this evidence, Sadler brought more to the band than we knew.

Written by Brian
Monday, May 11, 2009
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Ratings

Brian: 4/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by ProfessorShred (Member) - Sunday, May 17, 2009
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Comments: 16
Ratings: 45
Hey Brian
Pull your head out of your ass...
4/10??????????????????
Hate to break it to you pal,this is one of the best Saga albums I have heard in some years,yes,I have their entire catalog.
And yes,your review shows yet again,what a dumb ass you are

Posted by ProfessorShred
Sunday, May 17, 2009

Comment by Brian (Staff) - Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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Wow! There's a lot of anger in you. You having a hard time at school? I'm sure if you confided in a teacher it would help.

Posted by Brian (Staff)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Comment by VeX (Member) - Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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ProfessorShred you've got to chill out! Everyone has their opinion. I think the album is very good 7/10 for me, sometimes the lyrics bug me, but the guitar playing keeps me very interested.

Posted by VeX
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Comment by ProfessorShred (Member) - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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Comments: 16
Ratings: 45
Hard time at school? I'm 47
Brian let me enlighten you,Saga is a progressive rock ICON.
4/10 is Absolute Blasphemy.
My least favorite album by them:Pleasure and Pain would still fare better than your pathetic rating.I call it like I see it,I don't care what you think or say,understand?

Posted by ProfessorShred
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Comment by Brian (Staff) - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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Wake me when you've finished.

Posted by Brian (Staff)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Comment by echolynfan (Member) - Thursday, February 11, 2010
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I'm going to have to agree with the Prof Brian...4/10 is way too low a rating for this album. I've been a fan of Saga since I first saw "Don't Be Late" on MTV (when it was actually..Music Television) and the Human Condition rates a very strong 9/10 for me.

I'll admit to being apprehensive about a new singer..after all..we've all grown accustomed to the unique vocals Michael Sadler brings to Saga, but I'm always open to change...especially when change is fantastic: enter Rob Moratti.

Moratti's vocals are a breath of fresh air for Saga and I really like the harder edge and modern prog direction the band took with "The Human Condition" I was like..wow..after hearing the 1st track....I mean..I've always been impressed with Ian's guitar work (since I'm partial to the guitar) but he really should be sharing the mantle with Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page as one of the best guitarists ever!

The new drummer Brain Doerner is just dynamite....I was pleasantly surprised - I didn't think anyone would be able to step and fill Jim Gilmour's shoes...but he did so effortlessly.

Buy this cd and leave your expectations of hearing the same ole same ole Saga - spin it a few times and you'll discover a new Saga..and a damned good album!



Posted by echolynfan
Thursday, February 11, 2010

Comment by echolynfan (Member) - Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Correction on my previous post...I incorrectly referred to Saga's previous drummer as Jim Gilmour..I meant to type Steve Negus. I shouldn't be listening to Saga while reviewing :)

Posted by echolynfan
Thursday, February 11, 2010

Comment by Brian (Staff) - Sunday, February 14, 2010
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Hi Echolynfan - that's cool...good review...it'll give potential buyers a different perspective to mine.

Posted by Brian (Staff)
Sunday, February 14, 2010










Review by Brian

Released by
InsideOut Music / SPV - 2009

Tracklisting
The Human Condition
Step Inside
Hands Of Time
Avalon
Number With A name
Now Is Now
Let It Go
Crown Of Thorns
You Look Good To Me


Style
Progrock

Related links
Visit the band page

Saga - Official Website

Other articles
Marathon - (Michael)

Network - (Hashman)

Live at Skanderborg festival, August 12th 2005 - (Michael)

Chapters Live - (Hashman)

Remember When (The Very Best Of Saga) - (Brian)

A night with Saga at BB King´s - July 15th 2006 - (Paul)



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Ratings
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2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

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