WORLDS APART

Saga has always been around me during my college years in Bandung as I always purchased their albums in the format of music cassette. Unfortunately I never paid attention to their music as when played the tapes I did'nt feel like 'hooked' to their music unlike bands like Genesis, Yes, Marillion or Rush. I was not sure why it was like that. It's probably most of their music structure are quite straight forward - even though I knew that the subtleties of keyboard and guitar work are quite complex. I could only enjoy their live album "In Transit" as there are two great songs and performance: Wind Him Up and Humble Stance (it then became my best track from the band all the time).

Recently I played this music cassette from this album and I feel similar with what I felt in the 80s even though now with a deeper appreciation of their excellent subtleties especially through the sounds of guitar as well as keyboards. I have to admit that this is the only band that has its own unique sound and no one can really follow them. It's probably no one is interested to follow this unique characteristic of Saga. And now I am playing again this album while writing this review and sipping a cup of Aroma coffee made from Jl Banceuy, Bandung. Oh ...what a life! I really enjoy the writing now and let's get started!

Oh yes the opening track "On The Loose" is quite straight forward in structure, but I really enjoy how keyboard and guitar play an interesting intertwining roles in most of segments typical Saga music. "Time's Up" follows the same style but with a bit of energy and dynamics. The third track is the one I love from "in Transit" live album, i.e. "Wind Him Up". The only chief reason to love this track is its dynamic and excellent melody. In a way this track pictures the situation in the 80s when i took college degree in Bandung. I kept playing this track when I did the study in the evening, at my room. What a life - really! "Amnesia" follows in a slower style with some guitar rhythm that reminds me to the sort of reggae music.

Now I realize that I can appreciate more on tracks like "Interview" with its lyrics - especially, as well as with "Conversation" with its keyboard solo. "No Regrets" has been familiar with me since I heard for the first time in the "In Transit" album.

Overall, I really enjoy this album especially now I am playing it through my cassette collection instead of CD which actually I have it already. Recently, I am much more interested to play cassette than CD or MP3 as by playing the cassette I can get full nuances of the album as it was released in the past when CD was not born yet. Keep on proggin' ...!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW