SAGA: Generation 13 (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The reproach that one could make to Saga is that their albums, in a general way, tend to age badly because the chosen sounds are very typical of the time when they were released. It is notably the case on their first album which sounds a bit too much "end of the 70's" or "House Of Cards" whose production betray the years. To counterbalance this impression, Saga offers in 2021 the re-release of their most original album, "Generation 13". While the Canadians used to release relatively classic albums in their conception, they try here the exercise of the concept album. And it's a total success, so much so that it's difficult not to think of IQ's "Subterranea" or Genesis' "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway".

The compositions are indeed very well mastered, with an avalanche of recurrent themes but interpreted in such a way that each cover brings new elements that allow the listener to have the feeling of rediscovering a different song. Moreover, the musicians have done a real work on the level of the purely acoustic research, using at the same time samples of classical instruments (the pizzicatos of string instruments on One Small Step, the oboe, etc.) doubled by the guitar and sounds of atmosphere which will plunge you sometimes in an atmosphere of circus or fair.

With "Generation 13", we discover a facet of Saga very little known and unfortunately too little exploited by the band itself. Some people, in 1995, were happy about this turn and hoped that Saga would continue on this way. The following years have shown us that it would not be the case and the band went back to the style that had allowed them to break through. That's why, although to be consumed without moderation, this album remains marginal and should not be seen as a good way to discover Saga's general work. - Official website

SAGA

GENERATION 13

A&M

PROGRESSIVE ROCK