SYMMETRY

SAGA was formed in 1977 in Canada, has sold ten million albums and has performed in 20 countries in front of more than 15 million people: in short, one of the most famous Canadian hard-progressive groups of musical innovation, symphonic with riffs to kill. Saga doesn't play like Kansas, Asia, Rush, Styx or Yes, Saga does Saga. This so-called acoustic album offers a different listening, abandoning their original soul here; Shane Cook, Stephany Seki and Beth Silver give them a tremendous helping hand.

"Pitchman" launches the festivities with accordion solo, gypsy violin and flute! Well the piano is phew, the a capella voice of Michael still young, another banjo solo; the 1983 electric title on piano and brushed drums is astonishing to any Saga lover; it reminds me a bit of the ZZ Top title in "Back to the Future", in short, we are not on an acoustic but of a energized remix with the emphasis on instruments, a must for beginners. "The Perfect Time to Feel Better" for the 1st medley with the intro of "time to go" on splendid piano-guitar-violin, then the idyllic symphonic "silent knight"; a progressive variation then brings on "the perfectionnist" of their beginnings, a little sluggish interlude until the insane final "we hope you're feeling better" cult title of their concept album of 1995. The accordion and the violin are enjoyable, bringing on bluffing memories of fact, more than a moment of revision. "Images - Chapter One" piano, clarinet and banjo to accompany Michael's tender voice, I cry with emotion; the original melancholy side gives on the languid intimist, the final with banjo calls out to me not being able to make me forget the electric solo but the clarinet yes the enlightened clarinet is great. "Always There" and the banjo as the musical thread for this ballad track, reminiscent of the Archangel Gabriel on one of his hits; the remodeled acoustic solo shows Ian's dexterity and signs the little extra of this fairly common track at the base. "Prelude # 1" and an interlude by Ian on acoustic guitar, notes that flow between his fingers, simple sweetness. "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" by "Steel Umbrellas" revisits a less hit, more prog-pop song with Jim on vocals and gives cello and Floydian accordion digression; title causing the change because we could almost find the original Saga.

"Prelude # 2" short guitar solo as given for a simple and fresh music theory lesson from?! "The Right Side of the Other Hall" and the 2nd medley with "Trust" on display; "Footsteps in the Hall" almost like the original with bass drums and piano violin, all supported by the angelic voice; then sections of "You Were Right" and "On the Other Side" follow on a Celtic violin starting on a folkloric bourrée with baroque accordion; to listen to in a remote port. "La Foret Harmonieuse" for the last musical dessert on the piano of Jim, study on "Book of Lies" with a light phrasing of Michael. "Wind Him Up" with a 12-string guitar and a cello, a title that works especially in memory of the original, lacking pep to take off and you need the final Zeppelinian led to move buttocks, the violin having something to do with it . A track almost too flat for any fan of the group in my opinion. "No Regrets - Chapter 5" and Gilmour singing almost like the real one, piano and dry guitar in their place, the excellent clarinet transcends this title and gives more liveliness, incredible but true, a title which prepares the best way for the " Tired World - Chapter 6 "huge progressive title: the synths replaced by guitar-banjo-piano- accordion boost this monument; the quick notes make you forget the electric side, the central staccato section gives another life and revisits it, regenerates it 42 years later, offering a memory interlaced with an updated sound; you weren't expecting as much from my favorite band that I review objectively.

Symmetry offers a singular reading of classics through different, complex tones and delicately worked arrangements; the cruel pandemic allowed them to transcend themselves and forget their vintage sound. I cursed while listening to their video at the start, I have to apologize for the thought of listening to this overly bluffing and anachronistic album, a real timeless gem. CD, LP and download in a box set awaits you for a nice surprise.