Full Circle [Import]

Saga | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Steamhammer
• ASIN: B000025A9T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,626 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The latest North American release from the band with such hits as 'Wind Him Up' and 'On The Loose'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back with a vengeance, October 15, 2001

By 

A. C. H. Bergh - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Full Circle (Audio CD)

Okay, perhaps 5 stars is a little excessive, seeing as how this CD isn't the most perfect thing since Mozart first sat down before a pianoforte.

But hey, what new album of the last, say, twenty years is?

The fact is, Saga is one of the most underrated bands ever and Full Circle is one of their best albums to date.
Fans of Saga need only glance at the other reviews posted here to know what Full Circle (and, indeed, its successor, this year's "House of Cards") is like.

Those less familiar with the band may wish to know the following.

From 1978 to 1980, Saga produced a number of quintessentially "progressive" rock albums ("Saga", "Images at Twilight" and, most notably, "Silent Knight"). Their particular brand of music was unique, based as it was more on a singular fusion of rock and jazz than on classical music. As a result, even the longer tracks on these first albums lacked the occasionally overwrought (pseudo-)complexity of the soon-to-emerge neo-progressive style bands like IQ, Pendragon and Pallas. This isn't surprising, considering that Saga is an American (Canadian) band, whilst just about every other progressive group out there at the time was British and desperately trying to emulate Genesis, Yes et al.

In the early 80's Saga further perfected their style, their musical approach becoming sharper and more focused. This lead to two very good albums, "Worlds Apart" (1981) and "Heads or Tales" (1983).

In spite of the fact that Saga seemed, by now, every bit as viable as their Canadian compatriots Rush, commercial succes eluded them. Things tapered off. A few mediocre albums followed ("Behaviour" in 1985 and "Wildest Dreams" in 1987) and that seemed that.

Until 1989. Suddenly Saga re-emerged with arguably their strongest album to date: "The Beginner's Guide To Throwing Shapes". On this album, eveything falls into place: strong melodies, the virtuoso juxtaposition of guitar and keyboards to create extraordinary rhythmic palettes (a Saga trademark), wonderful overall compositions with lots of twists and turns.

And then things went belly-up again. "The Security of Illusion" followed in 1993. Not a bad album, all things considering, but its major claim to respectability is that it isn't as bad as "Steel Umbrellas" (1994), which is negligible.

Pining, perhaps, for a more aloof status, Saga went totally haywire in 1995, releasing "Generation 13". Now, from the start they had flirted with the idea of "concepts" (the first albums each contained one or more "chapters" of an ongoing story), but "G 13" proved to be a real concept album, and boy, was it ugly! It takes an enormous amount of thought, creativity and, indeed, intelligence to successfully compose an entire album of compositionally and thematically interconnected music (Genesis mananged it, Yes didn't; Jethro Tull did it twice, Gentle Giant never came close) and the fact of the matter is, Saga's attempt is simply dreadful.

After another negligible album ("The Pleasure & the Pain", 1997)they went off again. Exuent omnes.

Until 1999. Until "Full Circle". Suddenly, Saga are back. Again. And they're back with a vengeance. Not perhaps as sharp as on "Beginner's Guide", nor perhaps as ethereal as on "Silent Knight", this is nevertheless an extremely good and extremely welcome album.

Like, say, Gentle Giant, Saga have, throughout the years, created their own particular and unique brand of music. And here it is again, cast in strong melodies and excellent - indeed, unique - musicianship.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a Saga album to be excited about!, March 27, 2000

By 

timothy s. furnier (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Full Circle (Audio CD)

It's been a long time since I've heard the old Saga. Sure they never made a bad album (with the possible exception of "Wildest Dreams") but the last time I heard the old Saga was on the album "The Beginner's Guide To Throwing Shapes". With this album Saga finally says "to hell with it, we're going to make music WE like for a change". Saga come together and blend their talents instrumentally and make compositions instead of little pop diddies.I just got it today and listened to it twice but I already know it's my third favorite Saga album, right after "Worlds Apart" and "Behaviour".With this album Saga returns to the "chapters" concept last seen on "Worlds Apart" and they intent to continue until chapter 18. This is classic Saga and every song is a winner. The only thing I can find wrong with the album is that it rocks all the way through, and most Saga fans know that Saga ends an album not with a whimper but a bang and this one doesn't. The song that ends the album is not a rocker but it is an awesome song. I just think that all the way through the album the songs build until you think it's going to explode like "Worlds Apart" did and this doesn't, but you won't be disappointed. The one thing Saga does on this album to their advantage is they utilize their strengths. Jim Gilmour has a good voice but it was never used to it's fullest extent. Michael Sadler is still the lead singer but on most of the songs they trade off on vocals, each singing the part of the song in a complimentary way. Unfortunately this album probably won't be a mainstream success but any Saga fan should be rapturous with their return to greatness. ` Buy this album and tell all your friends. Saga is already writing the music for their next album and after this album I'm anxious for it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good example of Saga's current direction, October 4, 2003

By 

J Minstrell (Oakville, ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Full Circle (Audio CD)

I wouldn't say it is one of their greatest albums, but it is definitely a good addition. I am a long time fan that appreciates their style as it has continued to mature over the years. They still have the strong lead vocals of Michael Sadler and the great guitar stylings of Ian Crichton amoung others. If you are trying to decide on a recent release to reacquaint yourself with Saga, I would get House of Cards instead. Worth a listen or two.

Cheers