30 Years and Still Going Strong
C. Campbell | St. Paul, MN USA | 03/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Too often die hard fans of long-standing rock groups will give everything they do 5 Stars, saying "it's the greatest thing ever". Well, I've been a loyal fan of Saga since the very beginning, but my expectations are much higher than that. In their later years, Saga's releases have ranged from amazing ("Security of Illusion", "Full Circle") to mediocre ("Marathon", "House of Cards") to downright confusing ("Steel Umbrellas", "Pleasure and the Pain"). A couple of years ago, they released "Network", which offered a glimpse of the potential this amazing band still had.
Now hear this: "Trust" is outstanding. I've been listening to this CD constantly since I purchased it, and I am overwhelmed by how good it is. This just might be the best thing they've done since their "heyday" - it's that good. Pretty incredible considering how long the boys have been at it.
The CD is solid from start to finish, but "Back To The Shadows", "I'm OK" and "On The Other Side" are standouts. Check it out - you will not be disappointed."
Saga - another masterpiece !
Daniel James Macdonald | Sydney,Nova Scotia ,Canada | 05/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well here we go again fellow Saga fans a new release from the masters of Canadian prog.
Another inspired offering from my fellow countrymen who have been heartfully adopted by Germany.This album could easily be called "Covering all the Bases " ,which they do very deftly ,unabashedly bringing into play the older Saga bag of tricks & still sounding fresh.It's truly amazing that a band can combine hard rock/prog & pop & do it so effortlessly while changing tempos so easily without interrrupting the flow of the song & on the bigger picture -the album.This has been a Saga hallmark since album # 1.
Album starts off with "That's as Far as I Go" ,a sonically heavy driving syth lead w/lots of twists & turns.Next track "Back to the Shadows" ,finds the guys mining a straight ahead rocker reminescent of newer albums such as Full Circle & House of Cards.Track 3 "I'm OK" may be the feel good track of the album catchy as heck ,would be a single surely if this were the early / mid 80's."Time to Play" ,finds the funk groove ,perhaps inspired by Michael Sadler's hero & main inspiration Freddie Mercury.Jim Gilmour takes the mike(although he is all over this release with harmony / supporting vocals), for one of his signature & touching ballads wth "My Friend".The title track "Trust" is shouted universally by the band come chorus time for a fist in the air vibe."It's Yor Life" , a nice mid tempo rocker with some nice keybord touches.This next track "Footsteps ", sounds like a hybrid between Silent Knight & Worlds Apart- chills on this one ! "Ice in the Rain " ,may be my personal fave on the album,a basic guitar riff w/beautiful keyboard flourishes over the top ,but that could change daily as the complex layers of this album reveal themselves(like a great prog album should !).Last but not least finds Saga doing a little bit of Celtic music for the intro w/Michael Sadler going into newer vocal territory w/ a nice warm chorus.It's all over too fast ! One must respect the fact that Saga can return to their roots unabashadly ,while maintaining a modern sound ,not easy to pull off I'm sure ! Without a reservation I give this album 5 stars - Canada's best kept secret"
Full return to form
Z. Krava | usa | 11/10/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Saga has been slowly returning to form with their last 4 or 5 releases. This is no exception. If you enjoyed Worlds Apart, Head or Tales and Behavior, You'll love this!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1