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Michael Sadler certainly doesn’t need to proof anymore that he can
sing. We just didn’t know if he could sing something else than Saga
tracks. And he didn’t completely succeed to make me forget his band
origin. He sings in a great way, has written some awesome tracks,
but the Saga feeling is still present in a lot of the tracks of this
album.
The guitarsolos are played in a splendid way by Marcus Demi, who, if
I’m not mistaken, once replaced Ian Crichton, during a Saga tour,
when he hurt his fingers. If you can replace the guitar player of
Saga, you certainly need to be casted in the same mould. It’s just a
pitty, he isn’t allowed to play some more solos.
Some of the tracks are too simple, too poppy and don’t leave a
lasting impression. But some other tracks are real masterpieces. I
have to admit that some of my favourite tracks are the ones with the
most Saga influences. “I’m Not The Enemy” is such a little gem. It
contains a very strong composition and especially the guitar solo
has got me hooked on. Other tracks in that category are amongst
others “Who’s Sorry Now” and “One Minute”.
The album also didn’t need that many ballads. Michael’s voice lends
itself perfectly to touch upon a tender string, but he tries it a
bit too often.
His wife (Gwen) and stepdaughter also contribute their mite from
time to time with some backing vocals. The choir brings some extra
variation along, but this takes too much of a gospel turn in “Who’s
Fooling Who”, still being one of the best tracks of the CD.
Half of the tracks were already released on “Back To Where You
Belong” in 1998. The mini album was only available via the Internet
at that time. In spite of the difference of six years between the
tracks, the album still sounds as if it was recorded during the same
period. Maybe the tracks from 1998 are the more Saga feeling songs.
Just like with some actors, it’s very difficult for Michael, to play
another part after all these years with Saga and to make us forget
his past. His voice is so undeniably linked with Saga, that
everybody will always hear the Saga sound. Even his compositions
will always point in that direction. But he certainly recorded a
very solid solo album which will be cherished by a lot of Saga fans
but also by other music lovers. It’s an album which, because of its
accessibility, will often leave the closet, maybe even more than the
latest Saga. |
