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With much respect to Pink Floyd, Ayreon, The Who, Dream Theater, Queensrÿche or whoever else is known for making strong emotional concept albums, no one will ever be able to match the perfect balance of human emotion and story-telling that is contained on this one 68 minute release. Packed tight with memorable ... everything, from the textured keyboards giving profound depth to drums providing an excellent source of consistent rhythm with the bass to the extraordinary Criss Oliva slamming us or bringing us to tears with riffs and solo deeply embedded in the depths of human emotion. To the highly influential voice of Jon Oliva as he proves once again how he can only be a vocalist but carry an entire album, or in this case, story, on his shoulders and deliver like no other vocalist can do. What makes Streets the ultimate human concept album is a number of factors. First the songs are constructed in a concise, precise, and memorable progression. The album is the epitome of the human equation and consistency, and each individual song here could be considered the best song on the album. Another big factor is the variety, where the songs range from furious speed metal numbers like, "Sammy and Tex", "Agony and Ecstasy" and "You're Alive" to the melodic sing-along orchestrated-metal of the title track, "Jesus Saves" or "Strange Reality". Now while the heavy keyboard with lamenting vocals tracks like, "A Little Too Far," "Tonight He Grins Again," and "Somewhere In Time" depart from the old-school Savatage the most, the epic ballads "If I Go Away", "St. Patrick's" or "Believe" stand out the most and rank with the bands early death metal style. Another huge factor though is that Streets was and continues to be highly revered. The album may have been recorded in 1991 but the amazing music could have easily been released in 1981, 2001 or 2011 and though it is a very influential album to whoever hears it, its influence is not as regarded as the music itself, which has a universal feel. Finally, Streets is one of those rare albums that can touch the heart in the deepest ways without coming across as "lifeless" or "sappy", one so emotional it can make even the most heartless person brought to the point of tears. Captured in a explosive backdrop of a luscious production job, the album’s soul is more morbid that millions can handle, hence why it’s almost complete lack of sales upon release yet ensuing legendary status. Now whether this sudden stroke of genius after so many years was a result of the lambaste towards their previous album, Gutter Ballet, which was a more primitive version of what is attempted here. Or the addition of having a strong story right from the beginning, thanks to extraordinary producer Paul O'Neill, or just the final product of a band that had been progressing towards this album their entire career, is unknown. Whatever the reason for this album being made, it will always be viewed as amazing for it's strong compelling power that comes straight from the depths of emotional turmoil... No one would've predicted all of this when a still young and still in prime Florida band went from being ghosts in the ruins to an emotional sophisticated band that forever upped the standards for all styles of metal. The stand-out tracks are all of them, you need to hear the album in full. Be alone, put yourself in a quiet and relaxed setting, turn the lights down low and begin the album and who knows - you may feel yourself, beginning to "BelieRead full review
An real professional work from Savatage, with absolute no match from any other band. The album of "Wake of Magellan" is as well a big success but the Streets album indeed comes first. This album surely gave Savatage its position of an infamous heavy metal band from US, and still is a good hearing after so many years. A must for colleaction for every true heavy metal lover, also to remember the power guitar of Criss Oliva, who unluckily passed away from this earth. Recording of the CD is also smooth with no distorted sound.
Any 'Savatage' fan will love this album. Simply a brilliant rock opera, instrumental treat!! This band never got the recognition they deserved and I was fortunate enough to see both singers in concert in the early/mid 90's!! I even got to meet Chris Olivia a week before he was tragically killed in auto accident......R.I.P.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It’s a rock opera cd and enjoyed the music and the message it brings
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Good but not as good as mountain king!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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