HOUSE OF CARDS

Having been a fan of this band since their heyday in the early 80's, I remember their video for "On The Loose" which prompt me to purchase the "World's Apart" album. Since then, I believe with the exception of "Generation 13", Saga hasn't progressed much. And it's certainly true with this album. The album starts out with "God Knows" and some background talking ala "Generation 13". The song is typical Saga with keyboards mainly coloring the song with Crighton's guitar and Sadler's voice the main showcase, but that's what you usually get with Saga, so I'm not griping, it's just a fact. There's not many bands doing this type of Popprog as well as they do it, (IZZ, the possible exception). "The Runawway", "Ashes To Ashes", "We'll Meet Again" harken back to their early days and a song like "That's How We Like It!" sounds like a 90's Rush throwaway. Some songs are pretty ("Only Human" and the instrumental "Watching The Clock") and others have the Saga stamp of pomp ("Money Talks" and the title track). I have the Canadian edition which sports a bonus track called "So Good So Far" a typical pomp/art rock track. I've always categorized Saga as a band that make accessible art/pomp/prog rock for the masses. Doesn't hurt and can be fun, but if you're looking for complexity, look eleswhere. A solid three-star affair, this one.