MICHAEL SADLER - CLEAR - 2004

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.
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