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Kept thinking I would dislike this album because we had lost Michael Sadler as the lead singer. "What," I asked myself, "could this album be without him?" Well, as it turns out, it was a rather engaging and enjoyable parallel universe sort of romp with the boys making the music, accompanied by a vocalist who reminded me very much of a young Frankie Valli. I LIKED it! It wasn't official, canon Saga to my mind, but a delightful excursion into that parallel sonic yonder where the music sounds like Saga but the vocals hold a new and beguiling charm all their own. Was it Sadler? No. Was it Saga? YES! They soldiered on and carried the day in a delightful turn that led to some pretty decent-sounding tunes. I know critics grouse about "You Look Good to Me" sounding too radio-friendly and pop-oriented but I like it enough to binge on it now and then. Same thing with "Avalon." I can listen to it repeatedly and not get tired of it. Pretty much all the tracks on this album appeal to me. "Hands of Time" is a personal favorite because it's not only beautiful but also moody and melancholy and hopeful at the same time. The echoing, ethereal music shifts and shadows your perception of the direction of the song then Rob Moratti's vocals become this soaring, uplifting beam of light and energy in the middle, then they slowly set you back into a quieter, more-peaceful-but-not-quite-settled sort of mood. The musical interlude of 'Now Is Now" is just plain fun in that old-school Saga kind of way. It makes me visualize a frenetic-yet-majestic and hopeful sort of futuristic metropolitan cityscape alive with bustling, hustling characters and soaring architecture. (Yes, I'm weird like that, but why else listen to Saga to begin with?) Anyway, the aforementioned "You Look Good to Me" closes out the album with a track that, in my opinion, is just plain fun to listen to, especially Ian Crichton's superb guitar work which never disappoints, as with all of Saga's musicianship and talented creativity. Great album, buy it!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned