Customer Reviews

10,000 Days

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is true. I challenge anybody to find a 70s band still left that is actively making good new prog oriented music. Think about it for a minute. None of the prog bands that started in the 70s are still making prog style music. Genesis(doing the Phil thing),Kansas(doing the County Fair thing), Jethro Tull (making the X-Mas CDs), Rush (not prog anymore but still good rock), ELP ( Lake would rather be Johnny Mathis), Moody Blues (Syrupy Sap), Yes (where are they now files), King Crimson ( Fripp has disbanded them again??). Saga has been the only one that has consistently put out great music over the last 10 years. 10,000 days is another classic. It is sad that Sadler is moving on but I hope the band will continue. They are still as good as ever. All songs are good on this CD and the lyrics kind of remind me of Innuendo by Queen. Sadler, like Mercury, is saying goodbye. I for one will miss him. We can only hope the band (Crichton bros and Gilmour) will continue. I have always respected and admired this band's work. They fused progressive music with pop sensibilities and molded a unique sound. Bless them for 10,000 days of great music. Let's hope for 10,000 more. Special note goes to the artwork. Nice work to tie in the Chapter concepts. Is that face on Mars one of those alien dudes? Did they try to do on Mars what they are trying on Earth? Maybe these questions will be answered in future chapters by the band! Saga really is an endangered species in that they are all that is left from those fabulous 70s. IQ, Pallas, and The Hoax are the last hope from the 80s.

For almost 30 years Saga has been one of my all-time favorite bands. I have followed them through their various experimental/sound changes. I have all their albums. Though many fans have split their feelings about various Saga projects - like "Wildest Dreams," "Generation 13," and "Pleasure and the Pain," I have remained a loyal Saga fan. My two favorite Saga albums being "Behavior," and "Security of Illusion."

I was under no illusion when faced with the last Saga album with Michael Sadler. My hope/expectations were of a grand exit with some experimental change (even if minor) in sound, something edgy and full of energy - perhaps some musical risks. But, "10,000 Days" plays it safe utilizing a myriad of familiar Saga sounds and ideas. What we have is an adult version of Saga, which is ok, just not what I had hoped for.

There is a lot of energy in this album, but nothing pushing the envelope, nothing edgy. All the songs are well played and well written with all these fine musicians demonstrating their proficiency. The sound quality is good, good production. Other than the unusual instrumental track, nothing really stands out. This may sound like I'm not satisfied, but, I still love this band and enjoy ALL their music.
In reality I don't consider this a 5-star release, more like 4 and a half.

One more thing. I think these guys (especially Michael Sadler) show a lot of class. Having read Sadler's reason for leaving Saga, I've grown in my appreciation and respect for him. Although he sings the song "More Than I Deserve" I believe you do deserve it Michael, and the rest of us have been enriched by your 30 year contribution into our lives.

If you're a Saga fan, don't miss buying this album. I invite your comments. Thanks for your time.

WOW!!!, What can i say?: This Album Clearly Rocks! Like No Other Saga Album Has Since: "The Security Of Illusion", Back in 1993, The Album Has All The Highlights And Ingridients Needed In A Saga Album, Well Lets get to the main part of my review!

Lifeline: The Album Kicks-Off With This "Pure Saga" Track, Filled With Great Guitars, An Amazing Solo,Catchy Chrous, And Michael Sadlers Best Vocal Work Yet!, That Makes This Song A Most For The Radio: Anywhere!, This song Hooks you and never lets go!

Book Of Lies: Wow!, Another Great Track!, This One Is Very Catchy, With (once again) Amazing Guitar Work, A Solo That "MUST" be Heard!, and The Pure Saga Sound!

Sideways: Ok, Now We Go Into A Radio-Friendly Track That Does Not Fail At Keeping The Fans Entertained, And Staying With The Same Great "Saga Vibe"

Can't You See Me Now?: Wow!,(once again)Another Great Track!!!, Sounds Alot Like The Song: "The Sound Of Strangers" from The "Heads or Tails" Album, Great Track With A great 80's sounding keyboard at the beginning!

Corkentellis: Now, We Get Another Intrumental Track From Saga: Since their Most famous album "Worlds Apart" Running at "7:11" it sounds great and keeps on going without dragging!

More Than I Deserve: This Is When We Go Into The Typical "Saga" Slow Song, Which Still Sounds Good, I Wouldn't Call It Bad. Great Michael Sadler Vocals on This One!

Sound Advice: Now, We Kick Into Another Great "Up-Tempo" Saga Track, With It's Great Variety of Sound, And Great Chorus, Solo, Sounds like A Unreleased Track From "Worlds Apart", And Rhythm.

10,000 Days: The Title Track Tends To Make Me "Teary Eyed" because of it's Classic 1978-1980 Sound, and chrous, leading to the fate that this is Michael Sadler's Last Album With Saga.

It Never Ends: Here it Is:The Final "Saga" Track With Michael Sadler On Vocals, And With It's Great Chrous, and Lyrics of Michael Telling The Listners Through The Song That It's Time To Move On, and Start A New.

So, There You Have It!, Easy To Say This Is Saga's Best Since A Long Time, And Makes you wanna wish it wasn't over, with it's Worlds Apart-Heads or Tails, "1978-1983" Sound Found Through-Out, It's A No-brainer not to buy it, Even fans that are new, or don't know saga at all have to get a listen! im a young saga listner but know the band well enough.

So, What Are You Waiting For?!, GO BUY IT!

SAGA, that musical force from Canada has delivered yet another fantastic album... and what an spectacular close to 30+ years worth of music!!

In my opinion, SAGA has been producing solid and inspired recordings since "Full Circle" (an effort that marked their return to the classic sounds of their first 3 landmark albums - with "Trust" being possibly their best of this era).

Back to "10,000 days"... The art work is stunning. It is contemporary while paying homage to that iconic and futuristic figure that permeates SAGA's work (both Albert Einstein and "that invertebrate creature" everyone loves.) Michael Sadler's voice is - yet again - in spectacular form (cannot imagine SAGA without him), Ian Crichton's guitars are inspired, tight, busy and super-virtuosic. Jim Gilmour's keyboards provide that trademark SAGA base sound. The latter - unfortunately - hits a couple of false notes on the 3rd track, "Sideways", while soloing at 4.12 minutes play time. The man is human after all. Other than this, run to checkout this remarkable recording.

Some of the records' highlights:

> the bridge on "Sound Advice" (begins with "All for one...")
> the verses on "Sideways" (begin with "Information's fed...")
> the 1st chorus on "10,000 Days" (begins with "10,000 days...")
> "It never ends"'s mesmerizing keyboard/guitar unison riff

> "Corkentellis" is an absolutely brilliant instrumental and a tour-de-force between Ian and Gilmour... There are tinges of Dream Theater, Transactlantic/Spock's Beard, Chick Corea's Return To Forever, Steve Vai and even Jean-Luc Ponty - delivered within the framework of classic Saga landscaping and some of the darkness of their 1st album's "Ice Nice". Visceral and energetic drumming - BTW - courtesy of Brian Doerner.

GET THIS ALBUM, NOW.... RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Well you know that - despite of recognizing their excellent sound production as usual (especially talking about the best sound engineering, as well as their typical polished production...) - I don't get crazy for a few songs in the vein of "Wildest Dreams" or some other tunes closer to the previous issue...Instead I prefer the most unusual aspects of their music, such as those ones emerged from their diverse "Generation 13th" and - generally - if you listen to a few albums where the sound is just a little bit hard. Don't get me wrong, the imprinting of the band is always present and also a certain energy inside; nevertheless I can't see a great development of the music plot, anyway concluded by means of their attempt to write the word "end" to their long-date important project with M. Sandler (in the course of thirty years!!), within a sort of music testament. For example the song "More Than I Deserve" is "symptomatic", regarding of a strange situation inside the band...probably it's the lack of inspiration or a certain sense of tiredness, I don't know, anyway that's the result of a long tiring music career. It reminds me of a similar situation within the line-up of Spock's Beard a few yeas ago, when the leader - Mr Morse -decided to split from the band...also in that situation there was a point of no-return and They couldn't find an easy way out from the "stagnation" concerning their composition. "Corkentellis" is the unfailing instrumental number, but it's not a strong break-through, at least if They keep on running all their typical influences and music styles too; it's a fast resumè of their career, all along their almost complete music puzzle (put together in great haste) however concerning (unfortunately) the last chapter of Mr Sandler with Saga.

Even though you're not a long date fan probably you will like it anyway, especially if you appreciate the recent albums by Spock's Beard or the most accessible ensemble of Pallas...make your own choice as usual!!

The matter is here but the spark is missing; quite disappointing for a Michael Sadler's farewell album. Trust or House of Cards were of higher degree.

I've been a loyal Saga fan since the Worlds Apart album, even during the years when they primarily played in Germany and the only way one could get a new cd was going to a cd show.

I absolutely love this album and think it's a great collection of songs for Michael to say goodbye with.
The music sounds fresh to me while still maintaining the Saga sound. This cd seems more guitar oriented with keyboards present but not overpowering and Michael's voice is in fine form. To my ears he is singing in a more comfortable range with a bit of a different effect being used on his voice. It sounds like Michael but not the way we normally hear his voice.
The addition of Brian Doerner on drums adds new life and energy to a band that is much like wine, they just get better and better with time.

I think future incarnations of Saga will be musically in the direction of this album, it's time for Ian to shine and take the band in the direction of his vision and from what I've heard on this album it will work as long as the new singer has the "vibe".

My only regret is Saga never filmed their creative masterpiece Generation 13 for DVD, lost in the airwaves with other great concept albums like The Lamb lies Down and Snow by Spocks Beard.
Thankfully the band had the vision to film the last show with Michael for DVD.

Thanks Saga for a great last cd with Michael and thank you Michael for all the years of music you've given me to enjoy during your time with Saga.

This is the best Saga CD since House of Cards in 2001. The drumming in this one is fantastic. Book of Lies is a fantastic jam. The title cut 10,000 Days is a very nice uplifting 3/4 time piece. The album is well recorded and sounds great on the big speakers.

I thought I'd finished plumbing the depths of this group and figured they had faded into the landscape like so many other groups who started strong and finished their career with a "thud".

Fantastic album with energy, inventiveness, incredible guitar, keyboard and vocals.

Feels like a strategic effort from a group who spent years preparing to make a huge splash with their best material.

I'm biased, can't help it.

Love this album.

My other favorite is Worlds Apart.

It's very sad for all time Saga fans to say goodbye to a big big season. 10,000 days is a very good ephitaph. I'll miss this guys. I always dream to see the group in a concert but because this commercial music that we have here in the US a real band like this never could be so big. But at the end it's better we have very good records.