Saga - Marathon
Formed in 1976 Saga was one of the progressive rock pioneers. There has always been a special relationship between Saga and Denmark. When I purchased my first Saga album "Wildest Dreams" there was a lot of press coverage for the album and singer Michael Sadler also had a Danish girlfriend. Furthermore Saga chose to record part of their "In Transit" live album in Denmark.

Saga has maintained their characteristic sound throughout the years. Their symphonic sound mixing synthesizers and guitar was contributing to the birth of progressive rock.

"Marathon" is a typical Saga album containing all the classic Saga elements. Songs like Marathon and Streets of Gold are typical for this experienced band. The rocky side is displayed on Hands Up and Return to Forever. The band still sounds excited even though this is their fifteenth studio album. The great ballad Blind Side of the Heart has some fine emotional vocals from Michael Sadler.

A downside to Saga grandiose sound is that it sometimes gets a bit boring. Sometimes you wish that they would play a little more dirty and simple. Guitarist Ian Crichton is a great technical player and sometimes his great playing is "drowned" in the massive sound. Especially the thick Keyboard layer. An album highlight is the album closer Worlds Apart (Chapter 16), which deviate from the polished song structure. Ian Crichton's wide repertoire of playing is heard on this track, which is the punchiest on the album.

Overall "Marathon" is proving that Saga still sounds inspired. A must for Saga fans and surely an album worth checking out for the progressive rock fan.

Written by Michael
Sunday, April 6, 2003
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Ratings

Michael: 6/10

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RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Pete (Anonymous) - Sunday, July 27, 2003
Saga prog-rock?... I will call it
Pop-Rock.



Comment by Aldo (Anonymous) - Thursday, August 28, 2003
Call SAGA whatever you like.. prog rock, neo progressive, etc, etc. It don't matter all I know is they are phenomenal live and write some of the most inspirational and well thought out tunes I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. I love this album and I love SAGA!!!


Comment by SlopHater (Anonymous) - Saturday, September 13, 2003
To boldly go where your EGO takes you and end up loved in Denmark? Denmark has better groups of their own, Elegy for one. So why do listen Saga, beats me? Try Sonata Arctica, Edguy, or Stratovarius instead!


Comment by Steen (Staff) - Thursday, September 25, 2003
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Comments: 518
Ehm... Elegy are from Holland!

Posted by Steen (Staff)
Thursday, September 25, 2003

Comment by Dave (Anonymous) - Saturday, December 20, 2003
Great album!! Not as good as House of Cards though!!!


Comment by Owen (Anonymous) - Wednesday, December 24, 2003
It's still POP!











Review by Michael
None

Released by
SPV - 2003

Tracklisting
01 - Marathon
02 - How are you?
03 - Breathing lessons
04 - Hands up
05 - Streets of Gold (Chapter 14)
06 - Blind side of the Heart
07 - Return to Forever
08 - Too Deep
09 - You know I Know (Chapter 12)
10 - Rise and Shine
11 - Worlds Apart (Chapter 16)


Supplied by Nordic Metal


Style
Prog-Rock

Related links
Visit the band page

Saga - Official Website

Other articles
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)

The Human Condition - (Brian)



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