Customer Reviews

House Of Cards (W/1 Bonus Track)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't understand why these guys are not more popular here in the states. The music on House is their tightest and most progresive while very listenable and well-developed as they always have been but since they are probably all in their fifties they still rock nonetheless. My favorite tracks are Runaway and Ashes to Ashes as they remind me most of the aforementioned early '80s disc. All of the original members are here with Ian (guitar) Chricton taking center stage on most of the tracks. He seems to have gotten some lessons from Steve Morse or Al di Meola since Full Circle. Steve Negus' drumming seems unimpressive albeit steady as I do miss the electronic drums from Worlds and Heads or Tales; OK, so I am lost in the '80s. Even if you are a marginal fan, this is a must-have as this band is one of the more listenable prog. bands to have ever come out. I don't get tired of listening to it. I guess we can learn something from the Germans who appreciate a good Canadian band, eh? Oh yeah, and what's the deal with the cover?

After hearing Saga's return to form CD,"Full Circle" & loved it,I thought the next one would be as good or a little better,but I was wrong ,this is a lot better,better hooks ,better production ,better feel.They have deftly created their best work since "World's Apart".The mix of prog & tasteful pop sensibilities is sooooo well done.I have been a fan of Saga since the 1st album in 1978,& I guarantee you if you are a Saga fan this experience will be pure joy !I listened to it 3 times in a row & that rarely happens-very special indeed !

First let me say that this is the best of the most recent Saga cds. It's got something for everyone. If you enjoy the 'Prog' sounding Saga - it's here. And if you enjoy the 'Pop' Saga it's here. Very good mix of both.

Some here will say this is a good follow-up to Full Circle. I say this is way better. Full Circle does not have the stand out tracks this cd has. If you are wondering what Saga sounds like and would like to get one of their more recent cds get this one.

My favorite tracks are Money Talks, Always There and Only Human. But a strong cd overall. Only song I am not fond of is Ashes to Ashes.

If you don't have any Saga music I would recommend this of their newer cds but Worlds Apart is their best bar none.

I'd rank this one up there w/ Silent Knight and Worlds Apart -- proof that Saga STILL has more talent than 95% of the bands out there !! Ashes to Ashes, We'll Meet Again, & House of Cards are probably my 3 favorite tracks, though I'd say that there isn't a bad song on this CD.

This is one of the best albums of Saga, it reminds me of 'worlds apart'. My favorite songs :House of Cards, Runaway,Ashes to Ashes and Once in a lifetime.After the release of 'Pleasure & Pain' i thought my favorite group was going down the hill, but then they released 'Full Circle' in 1999 and was a big surprise since it was a return to their roots, now with this one its :WOW!!! there is not one song i dislike here. How come U2 or Dream Theater sell more than Saga? this is an example that the best doesnt always comes first, at least not here. Bravo SAGA!! THIS CD ROCKS!!

With this album SAGA goes back to its musical roots, the "chapters"and the Sci Fi covers. IF you have the first five classic albums and the last recording "Full Circle" YOU WILL LOVE THIS ONE ! Best tracks are : Ashes to Ashes, Once in a lifetime, God Knows and the already classic :The Runaway.
A MUST FOR ALL PROGRESSIVE ROCK FANS!

This is Saga's strongest release since their _Worlds Apart_ and _Head or Tails_ days. This is not their best work, but _Hose of Cards_ is in the ball park. _HoC_ builds nicely on their previous, very solid release, _Full Circle_, which I can also recommend.

I must admit that Saga's return to form is a bit surprise, albeit a very pleasant surprise. While their contemporaries struggle to find the magic that brought them their successes, Saga has indeed recapture their magic with _HoC_.

All Saga fans should enjoy _HoC_.

I envy any band that is still together with their original lineup after 20+ years. And I've always been a huge Saga fan. And this CD will always strike a personal chord with me. But to be honest, House of Cards is not Saga's best work (see Silent Knight), but neither is it their worst (Pleasure and Pain - mostly pain). But this is very listenable, even if perhaps a bit over-produced.

The personal attachment is that I bought my copy at a Saga concert in Stuttgart, Germany in April 2001. I had decided to take my dad to Germany as a vacation, and we spent the week together touring central and western Germany. Saga was on tour supporting the release of House of Cards in Germany at the time, and I caught them live for the first time in almost twenty years. So this disc will always mean something to me.

But to those just looking for a review of the music, there's a lot to like here, just not love. The tone of the disc is a bit melancholy at times, though several of the tunes rock well in the Saga fashion - guitar and keyboard licks traded back and forth, Michael Sadler's great voice. The single, Money Talks, is pure radio-oriented sweet pop - a catchy vocal lick, but sugar-coated and not very filling. The later Saga CDs have seen numerous inserts of sounds of life (TV programs, children's voices) within the music. A nice touch on earlier releases, overdone on this one.

Overall, a listenable disc. And a must have for die-hard Saga fans. But if you're looking to discover Saga for the first time, start with Silent Knight, Beginner's Guide, Worlds Apart, or Full Circle.

I first heard Saga when my brother bought "Worlds Apart" What a great one. Then I bought "Heads or Tails" on tape and listened to it until I wore the tape out. I had been in a retro mood lately and was looking for sounds that recaptured some of the excitement that music had once upon a time (I am 36 now, was 17 then!). I snatched up "House of Cards" when I found a single copy at Best Buy. What a great CD! I went back out and bought a copy for my brother. These guys have matured a bit musically and still know how to mix synthesizer and guitar like no one else! A great mix of hard driving and haunting sounds. Buy this SAGA fans, I promise you will love it! Like most complex music, you might need to give it a few listens before your brain comprehends just how good this CD is. And like the first CD I heard, some songs seem to be written for me!

Not since, "Security Of Illusion" has Saga come up with creative and "new" material. With the full complement of bandmates back together again, this one puts "Pleasure And Pain" at the bottom of the list. While I am sure it will not get much radio play here in the States, it is refreshing to see they still have their creativity. Now, coupled with Yes' "Magnification," I am glad to see the progressive genre still strong in an otherwise dull music industry. Long live progressive and electronic music!