STREETS - A ROCK OPERA

I've been mentally preparing this review for quite some time now because it feels like I owe it to this album.

Streets was my introduction to Savatage and what a marvelous start it was. I remember that I had a tough time during my high school years and this was basically one of the few real highlights at the time that kept me going strong. The album tells a story which could be understood for the Rock Opera-part of the album's title and it's really one of the most ambitious recordings ever conceived by any rock band. Of course the original ambition was even grander and I recall reading that Streets was originally written as a 2-CD album with many more compositions and story narrations added between the tracks. Whether or not I would have found the album as exciting is difficult to say but one of these narration sections still exists in the opening of Jesus Saves and I find that particular part very enjoyable. Unfortunately Savatage had many battles with their record company and this whole ordeal became a huge issue which finally resulted in a half way agreement between the two parties. Many of the songs that didn't make it on the final album were later re-written and featured on the band's later releases. The only one complete outtake that I know of that remains in its original demo version is the track Desiree and is a bonus track on The Wake of Magellan. It's an excellent power ballad on the same level as many of this album's peaks and shows just how much creativity they had during this period.

The conceptual theme of the album has still managed to maintain most of its essential elements although it has been cut to a single CD format. The overall message of this rock opera is all about keeping the faith, never giving up and most of all believing in oneself. It might seen simplistic and maybe even pretentious to anyone who seeks something deeper but it's that brutal honesty of the story that touched me and many others who consider Streets to be Savatage's finest hour!

Besides the whole conceptual aspect of this album there are quite a few memorable songwriting moments featured here as well. There is just not a single weak moment and it's clear that the band's transition from a straight forward Heavy Metal sound, that was still apparent on Gutter Ballet, was now complete. There are still a few heavier moments here but they don't have that raw energy and terrible recording quality. Instead all of the elements have now been fused properly with the individual performances.

I could easily do a track-by-track walk-through but at the end of the day what most of us remember the most from Streets are those breathtaking ballads. I'm not talking about one or two spectacular moments but instead a total of seven top-notch power ballads all on one single release. There is just no reason to release a best-of album since all you need is on this CD!

In my preparation for this review I was chocked to realize that I haven't actually heard this album in its entirety for at least two years and it was truly a blast revisiting it. I've really got carried away with this album for the last few days. I'm still listening to it even now while writing this review and it's my 5th time over the course of these past two days! Many of these compositions are so powerful and dramatic that I can't help but sing along to many of the songs. Let's just say that if a Karaoke version of Streets was ever released then I would be the first in line.

Although this albums limited prog rock credentials I have to give Savatage credit for branching out their Heavy Metal music in a direction that most bands would have considered suicidal for their career. After all, isn't being progressive all about taking risks by pushing the music forward and always being on the lookout of new possibilities? Well, that's at least how I see it and therefore award Streets the highest possible praise. It's an amazing roller-coaster ride that I recommend with all my heart!

***** star songs: Jesus Saves (5:13) A Little Too Far (3:25) St. Patrick's (4:17) Can You Hear Me Now (5:11) If I Go Away (5:17) Heal My Soul (2:35) Somewhere In Time (3:17) Believe (5:42)

**** star songs: Streets (6:50) Tonight He Grins Again (3:28) Strange Reality (4:56) You're Alive (1:51) Sammy And Tex (3:07) New York City Don't Mean Nothing (4:01) Ghost In The Ruins (5:32) Agony And Ecstasy (3:33)