Over 40 years have passed since Canadian melodic prog-rock band SAGA released their self-titled debut album. Since then, they have been an exceptional musical phenomenon and toured the globe various times — all the while selling over 10 million albums worldwide.
Their sonic trademarks – synthesizer harmonies, keyboard-guitar riffs, melodic arrangements, and the charismatic vocals of frontman Michael Sadler – have made Saga an influential rock act of the modern era.
Celebrating the band’s four-decade legacy earMUSIC continues with the band’s reissue series exquisitely remastered and these “must own” releases will be welcome additions to the musical libraries of the Saga faithful.
Inspired in part by the book “13th Gen: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?” by Neil Howe & Bill Strauss, in a time when grunge was the sound of the day, in June of 1995 SAGA released ”Generation 13”… a concept album, musically away from the melodic crossover prog the band was known for.
Saga’s answered the industry with perhaps their most pure PROG and sophisticated album ever.
To put it short, ”Generation 13” is a Prog Rock masterpiece, one you need to listen.
The dark concept of ”Generation 13” featured a completely different musical and lyrical style from the Canadians’ previous work.
The book ”13th Gen: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail?’ first printed in 1993, is a description of the notorious Generation X, the 13th generation born in the United States. The authors have assembled all kinds of quotes, cartoons, computer dumps and comments about and from the members of this generation to illustrate their assessment of the characteristic properties of the people born between 1961 and 1981.
According to Howe and Strauss, Generation 13 is pretty much a materialistic, somewhat dumb, lazy, often drug-addicted bunch of people. This is mainly caused by bad leadership, inferior education, inept parents, a rising information overload and the negative attitude of the generation before them.
The fact that the US economy and society are not optimal only adds to their discomfort, which often results in a sense of not “fitting in”. On the other hand, the 13-ers have learnt to live under those circumstances. They have developed skills that may be alien to older generations, but that nevertheless help to get things done.
So, how can one make a concept album inspired by such a book? The answer to that question would most likely be: by being daringly eclectic and creating a viable story-line. Jim Crichton does this by inventing Jeremy, who is the main character on Generation 13. Jeremy is an obvious 13-er and the album depicts his inner turmoil and some of the external reasons for it.
The album almost never stops with the music flowing from track to track. Like any concept piece, this album works better as a whole rather than with individual highlights. The storyline is wonderfully written, all the characters have a clear intent to contribute to the story, there’s “no waste” in this album, with characters such as “Jeremy”, “Morty” or “Sam’s New Friend”.
The sound effects are brilliant, creating the right atmosphere for the mysterious side of this album; all the instrumental transitions between tracks are very well designed and includes spoken parts from the characters of the story.
Here, Saga innovate their sound into something never done by the band; production and sound dynamics are brilliantly designed, making it the best album produced in the band’s discography. This album can build a feeling of togetherness and bond with the listener, all the emotions are very well transmitted.
”Generation 13” is an iconic progressive album. Easily among the best albums from the Nineties, this is a captivating piece of musical brilliance with some incredible breathtaking parts over its 25 songs and interludes. Always captivating, the CD offers diversity and keeps the listener interested with great melodies.
This is Saga’s masterpiece. Even for people who normally don’t like Saga!
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Chances Are 1
02 – Generation 13 (Theme 1)
03 – All Will Change (Goodbye and Good Luck)
04 – The Cross (Home #3)
05 – Danger Whistle
06 – Leave Her Alone
07 – I’ll Never Be Like You
08 – My Name Is Sam (Finding A Friend)
09 – The 13th Generation
10 – The Cross
11 – The Learning Tree
12 – I’ll Never Be Like You (Once Again)
13 – Snake Oil
14 – We Hope You’re Feeling Better (The Test)
15 – My Name Is Sam (Your Time Is Up)
16 – Generation 13 (Theme 2)
17 – Where Are You Now
18 – Screw ‘Em
19 – No Strings Attached
20 – All Will Change (It’s Happening to Me)
21 – The Victim 2
22 – One Small Step
23 – Sam’s New Friend
24 – We Hope Youre Feeling Better
25 – Chances Are 2
26 – Gotta Love It (1991 Single) [bonus track]
Bass, Voice Actor [Sarcastic Sam & Java Joe] – Jim Crichton
Drums, Percussion, Voice Actor [The Barker] – Steve Negus
Guitar – Ian Crichton
Keyboards, Vocals, Clarinet, Voice Actor [Sam] – Jim Gilmour
Backing Vocals – Mary Newland
Voice Actor [Sam’s New Friend] – Christopher Crichton
Voice Actor [The “80’s” Ghosts] – The Goodnight LA-Bv’s
Lead Vocals, Organ, Voice Actor [Jeremy, The Father, The Orphanage Master & The Amateur Show Host] – Michael Sadler
SAGA – Generation 13 [Remastered+1 bonus ] 2021 , MP3+FLAC
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