Saga explore ‘The Human Condition’ on new album
“It’s progressive rock mixed with memorable melody.”
That’s what SAGA guitarist Ian Crichton had to say about the band’s new album, The Human Condition, in stores in North America on Tuesday, May 19th.
In a recent phone interview from Germany, Crichton was enthusiastic about the new album and what it offers fans.
“I think we’ve gotten heavier on this record for a lot of parts. It’s more progressive in path in a way in a few of the songs, but we still keep our melody. We love our melody, y’know? That’s why we’ve been a neo-prog band.”
The Human Condition comes on the heels of SAGA’s worldwide search for a new lead singer after original vocalist Mike Sadler chose to leave the band in 2007 to focus on his family life and to escape the rigors of touring.
After conducting an online contest that saw potential singers from around the world audition via YouTube for the chance to sing classics like “Wind Him Up” and “The Flyer,” SAGA found their man in Rob Moratti, a Toronto-based singer formerly of the group Final Frontier.
“Rob has blended in with the band so great,” said Crichton. “For the first time, I get to hear vocals before the album’s finished, which really helps my guitar playing. If I’m going to do a solo, it’s good to know what note Rob’s going to hang so I can come in properly with it.
Originally called The Pockets when they came together in 1971 in the Toronto suburb of Oakville, SAGA released their self-titled debut in 1978 and numerous albums since in North American and Europe, where the band is currently touring.
“Canada’s kind of similar to the European audience, in a way,” said Crichton. “Over in Europe, you’d find that the audience sings a lot of the stuff. Rob can actually back off on the big choruses and they just take it themselves.”
“We’ve always kept it up (in Europe),” said Crichton, reflecting on the band’s high popularity overseas relative to their homeland. “We were out of Canada for a few years there, unfortunately. We should have kept it up a lot more, but it’s really about getting back into people’s faces, playing some bigger shows, getting on some bills, some shed tours and stuff like that…that’s going to make the difference.
Part of that plan will see SAGA return to Toronto for a special CD release party at the Mod Club on Wednesday, May 27th. Tickets for “An Evening with Saga” are available through Ticketmaster for $25.50. The band will then return to Europe in late June to perform in Romania and Bulgaria.
“We’re looking forward to playing our home town, Toronto, gangbusters,” said Crichton. “(We) can’t wait to play (for) the Canadians.”
Originally published on the WTF?! with Jason Ward Blog at Q107.com
May 19, 2009
