Customer Reviews

House of Cards

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first heard Saga when my brother bought "Worlds Apart" What a great one. Then I bought "Heads or Tails" on tape and listened to it until I wore the tape out. I had been in a retro mood lately and was looking for sounds that recaptured some of the excitement that music had once upon a time (I am 36 now, was 17 then!). I snatched up "House of Cards" when I found a single copy at Best Buy. What a great CD! I went back out and bought a copy for my brother. These guys have matured a bit musically and still know how to mix synthesizer and guitar like no one else! A great mix of hard driving and haunting sounds. Buy this SAGA fans, I promise you will love it! Like most complex music, you might need to give it a few listens before your brain comprehends just how good this CD is. And like the first CD I heard, some songs seem to be written for me!

With this album SAGA goes back to its musical roots, the "chapters"and the Sci Fi covers. IF you have the first five classic albums and the last recording "Full Circle" YOU WILL LOVE THIS ONE ! Best tracks are : Ashes to Ashes, Once in a lifetime, God Knows and the already classic :The Runaway.
A MUST FOR ALL PROGRESSIVE ROCK FANS!

This is Saga's strongest release since their _Worlds Apart_ and _Head or Tails_ days. This is not their best work, but _Hose of Cards_ is in the ball park. _HoC_ builds nicely on their previous, very solid release, _Full Circle_, which I can also recommend.

I must admit that Saga's return to form is a bit surprise, albeit a very pleasant surprise. While their contemporaries struggle to find the magic that brought them their successes, Saga has indeed recapture their magic with _HoC_.

All Saga fans should enjoy _HoC_.

As has been written everywhere else about this CD, "House of Cards" is truly a return to form and yet a continuation of what Saga has been doing for the last 20+ years. However, after the brilliant, original "Generation 13" (1995), Saga's next 2 studio CDs (Pleasure & Pain, Full Circle) were okay, but still missing something. "House of Cards" is the freshest breath of air to hit Saga fans in a long time. Highlights like "The Runaway", "Ashes To Ashes" and especially "We'll Meet Again (Chapter 15)" will be welcome to longtime Saga listeners. Jim Gilmour delivers keyboard arrangements that evoke aural rainbows and chromatic soundscapes like no other. Most notable is Steve Negus's drumming, which has been dormant ever since Gen 13. His trademark fills and technical ability are back. Ian Crichton and Michael Sadler are as impressive as ever. Ian has got to be one of the most underrated and overlooked guitarists in the industry. Overall, this CD is excellent and hopefully marks a return to the classic Saga that grabbed my attention almost 20 years ago.

I can't understand why these guys are not more popular here in the states. The music on House is their tightest and most progresive while very listenable and well-developed as they always have been but since they are probably all in their fifties they still rock nonetheless. My favorite tracks are Runaway and Ashes to Ashes as they remind me most of the aforementioned early '80s disc. All of the original members are here with Ian (guitar) Chricton taking center stage on most of the tracks. He seems to have gotten some lessons from Steve Morse or Al di Meola since Full Circle. Steve Negus' drumming seems unimpressive albeit steady as I do miss the electronic drums from Worlds and Heads or Tales; OK, so I am lost in the '80s. Even if you are a marginal fan, this is a must-have as this band is one of the more listenable prog. bands to have ever come out. I don't get tired of listening to it. I guess we can learn something from the Germans who appreciate a good Canadian band, eh? Oh yeah, and what's the deal with the cover?

Not since, "Security Of Illusion" has Saga come up with creative and "new" material. With the full complement of bandmates back together again, this one puts "Pleasure And Pain" at the bottom of the list. While I am sure it will not get much radio play here in the States, it is refreshing to see they still have their creativity. Now, coupled with Yes' "Magnification," I am glad to see the progressive genre still strong in an otherwise dull music industry. Long live progressive and electronic music!

This is an excellent effort by Saga. I think Only Human is the best rack on the cd and seems like it has hit potential. Money Talks is the one they did the video for and is hitable as is always there. I think parts of this cd are more commercial than Full Circle in some points but still has that late 70's and early 80's progressive rock style flavored in the cd. The chapters are excellent while not being carbon copies of old chapters. I think I like we'll meet again the best of the two chapters. The only song I don't like too well is That's How we Like it but the the other 10 tracks are really excellent and welcome new material

Made in GER in 2001, Serial# SPV-088-72160, Playing Time 49:56

This special limited edition presents this Canadian band's 17th album in a "booklet" format the size of a regular jewel case (similar to the "Back To Black Collection" series, but not in a black cover). This 28-page full colour booklet includes the lyrics.

This album is a logical follow-up to their previous studio album, "Full Circle": the recognizable voice of Sadler, the incisive guitar work, and the thick keyboard textures are all here. Many have praised the "FC" album because of the fact that SAGA went "back to the well" of their first albums, and "HOC" is no different; I even found it better balanced than "FC".

Great sounds, rich textures, "true" SAGA; however, I'm still a bit hungry for some instrumental passages that were often present in the early days, somewhat of a progressive touch. An enjoyable album, but mainly too song-based, too radio-friendly.

This is one of their best works. I have most everything they have done and song for song this album ROCKS. Want to get your feet wet and try Saga for the first time? Start here.

After a long string of pretty good but not great albums,SAGA's FULL CIRCLE was a return to greatness.They pick up right where they left off with HOUSE OF CARDS.Michael Sadler's intense vocals are great on the lead off single MONEY TALKS.ASHES TO ASHES is what SAGA is best known for..dramatic vocals,guitar,and keyboard playing.Ian Crichton is one of the worlds most amazing guitarists,THAT's HOW WE LIKE IT! may just be his best playing yet.WE'LL MEET AGAIN is also a highlight with another terrific Sadler vocal.Like FULL CIRCLE,there are no weak points on HOUSE OF CARDS.This band is on a roll.