Customer Reviews

Network

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Incredible , this new cd from this canadian band is really fantastic.
I have been a fan of SAGA since 1979 with the release of their first album a new era in progressive rock music was born. Nobody I have heard in my 50 years of existence has the incredible sound of this group. And now with this new album they sound better than ever. Michael Sadler's voice is better than ever and these new compositions show the world what being creative in music really means. Guitar and keyboards are completely incredible, Ian Crichton guitar does what nobody even tries - play good creative rock music. After hearing this new album I have to say RAP music must die. Hail to real good musicians...

It saddens me to know that so many people out there have not had the blissful pleasure of hearing SAGA.This band has put together incredible music for over 20 years and still to this day reign as the best band in the world.
Many bands fade after just a few years, but this band does not...they truly get better with age like a fine wine (...).I am a musician and I must say that any true guitar player or fan of music will learn and easily agree that Ian Crichton(guitar) is unmistakably the BEST guitar player this planet has ever seen. He is SO underated that it is not justifiably fair that Ian is not heard by the world, much less noticed by the world.A man(Ian) that makes the guitar cry as well as bellow in anger should never be missed.
Michael Sadler sounds as good now as he always had. His vocals are tender yet straight forward. His penmanship is as always...superb. Jim Crichton caresses his bass while pounding out sounds that makes you feel his voice.Jim Gilmour embrasses the band as a whole and keeps them high above an bland sound with his keyboards. The new member (and only non original member)to the band is Christian Simpson. His rawness superbly accents the bands sound. He pounds the drums when needed and meticulously keeps the pace at all costs.
This newest album by Saga...'Network' comes at you hard and fast. Their best work ever ...but, you can say that about all their past albums. This one rocks and I mean ROCKS! Hard edged, hard hitting and yet, emotional...true to Saga as a whole. this album is better than anything you will hear on the radio or anywhere for that matter., this one has it all!!!!
If you do not get this album or ever hear a Saga album, you are depriving yourself of music from heaven.

Canadian rockers Saga have been an honest working band who haves never really gone away and continue to release studio albums every other year or so. A band always there with new material is always in danger of repeating themselves or stepping sideways out of fear of repeating themselves, and saga themselves have done both a few times. But this, 2004's 'Network', is a pretty solid effort with a lot of memorable moments, Despite a pretty raw sounding mix. Saga were going for a more 'organic' rock sound- analogue recording- and a more 'live' vibe. The drums in particular are a little murky. However, the playing is pretty solid. Saga fans will notice the absence of underrated original drummer Steve Negus, who had left the band. His replacement, Christian Simpson, is no slouch. A 'meaty'-sounding drummer, Simpson proves to be worthy to play in Negus' stead. So if you can look past the drum mix, you'll find Saga are still consistent in the drum department.

'Network' is an energetic disc, where heavy guitars, vintage synths and Michael's Sadler's distinct powerful vocals run you over like a train. The first three tracks in particular suckerpunch you and leave you for dead. There is a heavier edge to NETWORK this time, and no 'Chapters'. Having been recording and touring since 1978, at this stage in their career Saga probably have no grand plan on ruling the world and are content to focus their energies on the areas where they are the most successful(Europe, and Germany in particular). Some may say the last three or four albums have been 'Saga-by-numbers', but with NETWORK, they at least have solid ammunition and do what they do well. They sometimes play with their past a little in loving jest(the voice of 'Sam' from their 1995 concept album 'GENERATION 13' introduces the album). For those who want a little familiarity when they buy a record by one of their old favorite bands, Saga rarely disappoint.

NETWORK seems to have a semi-conceptual thread running through some of it dealing with the news, reality TV, and our generally information starved society. The songs:


ON THE AIR: synth opens the track in a 'prog-rock' style, which goes through many changes and themes. Jim Gilmour provides some 'Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' type key patterns.

KEEP IT REEL: a crunching rocker where Ian Crichton gets to strut his guitar-strangling talents. The synth sounds like an air raid siren. Drums knock you back too.

I'M BACK: the pace doesn't let up, as this driving anthem about new beginnings and new leases on life follows. The sound is unmistakeably Saga, and one of their best on the 2000's.

IF I WERE YOU: One of the album's balads which provides contrast from the first three powerhouses. Acoustic guitar, synths and soft backing vocals bring to mind some of Saga's 90's material.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: another softer track with soulful vocals and somewhat progressive middle bit.

DON'T LOOK NOW: a Saga-by-numbers heavier cut with piano and familiar Saga lyrical matter, self motivation.

LIVE AT FIVE: chunky guitar, hovering synths, true Saga.

BACK WHERE WE STARTED: keyboardist Jim Gilmour manages to sing a song per album sometimes, and on here he also provides some nice soloing as well, something often lacking with Saga. He doesn't usually do too many synth solos. Anyone interested in Jim's playing should also pick up his proggy new solo album 'Great Escape' as well.

BELIEVE: Sadler's tortured vocals drive home this somewhat sad sounding, moody anthem in a neo-prog direction of bands like ARENA. Brings to mind maybe 'Chapter One: Images' from the second album.

DON'T MAKE A SOUND: powerful, edgy and dramatic, in the tradition of perfect Saga album closers like TIRED WORLD or GOODBYE(ONCE UPON A TIME). This one was made for the stage. Gilmour's electric piano gives way to guitar crunch, a chanting middle part, and even new guy Christian Simpson gets in on the act with a semi-solo.

If you haven't heard Saga for a while, NETWORK is a good album to come back on board with.

I FINALLY got a copy of Network over the weekend, and while I'll stop short of saying it's their best ever (Silent Knight, World's Apart, Heads or Tales & my personal fave Generation 13 still rule) it is an impressive effort. There's plenty of breakdown of the individual tracks in the other reviews, so I'll hold off on that. But I haven't seen anyone commenting on the Bonus DVD with the 5.1 Surround mix of the disc. Maybe no-one else has it ? Anyway, it's REALLY well done. The full surround effect is immeadiately noticeable the second it starts, and since it's a DVD, there's accompanying video to go along with it. This takes the form of a TV (the graphics on the disc's cover) displaying the lyrics of each song, along with video to accompany the instrumental breaks. A very nice touch & definitely a welcome update to static lyric sheets. I hope this trend continues, both with subsequent Saga releases as well as spreading to other bands.

I've been a fan of SAGA for over 20 yrs and I have almost everything they have produced. NETWORK is an exemplary album...it easily rivals Worlds Apart or Silent Knight. On the Air Tonite" is simply awesome..it changes from one sound to the next and one beat to the next, with great lyrics...every song on the album is strong. I.m long time fan of Steve Negus, but Christian Simpson holds his own on the drums. It is a shame that SAGA doesn't get the credit they deserve...they are simply levels above the so-called groups(Linkin Park... bleech) these days with musicianship and songwriting.

I have the most recent Saga releases and while liking them they don't hold the same magic as Worlds Apart, Silent Night or the debut. Network on the other hand knocked me over. This is a cd that holds its own against these early releases. It has not left my cd player since I have received it. On The Air and Don't Look Now are my particular favourites but I think there is no song that you will want to skip. If you are a Saga fan this is must have. It is plain and simple, this one of the finest in their career. A little shocking considering how long into their career they are at.

OK just for the record, personally I think that Steve Negus is a VERY underrated drummer. I mean - he's awesome! Too bad he's not on this album. If you like Negus as much as I, you will notice he's gone. Still, Simpson does hold his own and it's not HIS fault that whoever mixed this album apparently didn't actually listen to it afterward. The drums sound somewhat distant and muffled in a few of these songs. Other than that, this is a perfect disc. The songwriting is at or above expected Saga standards. The first 3 tunes are excellent on this disc. Live at Five is the sleeper on this disc. Musically it reminds me of 'Conversations' from World's Apart. If you're a Saga fan - you will like this disc. Too bad Mr. Negus is on hiatus again.

Dont get fool by the poor album cover art, Network is the best Saga has done since the early 80's. Stronger full rocking sound and less popish than recent efforts (full circle,house of cards, marathon) makes Network their best work in a long long time. Track 10 makes you wonder if you are listening to Network or to one their early records, its that good! You wont be dissapointed.

This album walks a fine line between progressive metal and neo-prog that Saga is best known for. Have no fear though, this is Saga in very fine form and at the top of their technical if not creative powers, every song being at least good or better, although the sound is not traditional Saga from the '80s or from breakthrough albums like Full Circle or House Of Cards. It is heavier, the production is way different, with metal-style guitar dominating the mix on some tracks; the snare for some reason very hard and very much up front; Sadler's voice sounding different, more distant and less dramatic. Overall sound is less processed and more live. Songwriting is of very good quality, quite complex and progressive on most tracks, with a cornucopia of instrumental parts - enough to satisfy the most demanding Saga fan - although it seems not to be as ispired as on other albums: all songs are solid if safe Saga material and none really outstanding. There is less emphasis on the tight keys/drums/guitar interplay, but we are still treated to a couple of keyboard solos and mind-boggling speed passages. Once again, Ian Crighton shows what a monster guitar player he is - his mastery of every fretboard technique is more complete than ever. The package is gorgeous and the booklet interesting and informative, and 5.1 mix is there for the true audiophile, although I admit that it is perfectly useless to me, but for the same price, why not? A definite gem in any Saga collection, although not in the first five Saga albums I would buy. I would recomment getting Trust before Network, it is one of the top Saga albums of all time.

I love when SAGA is on top of their game. On Network SAGA shines. I especially like the songs Keep it Reel, Outside Looking In, and Don't Make a Sound. Ian does some great guitar work and this is a surprisingly progressive release with lots of cool keyboards and intricate compositions. Great effort from these veteran proggers!