Michael Sadler - Clear
ProgRock Records

file under hardrock / aor

Christ: Michael Sadler has been the vocalist for progressive rock band Saga since day one. Saga started out back in 1977 and to this day has had many successes. No real commercial reason for Sadler to make a solo album, when you consider his career with Saga. He has even done it before without the most of us knowing, because his debut solo album ‘Back Where You Belong’ was released as an internet only release back in 1998. Six yeas later he delights us with a brand new solo CD called ‘Clear’. The biggest name in accompanying him on this platter is the German producer, engineer and keyboardist Thomas Schmitt-Zijnen.

Unlike Saga, this isn’t a progressive rock record. It’s more or less a mixture of pop music, AOR and some small bits of progressive rock. I’m a very big fan of progressive music and AOR, but the best tracks for me on this album are the pop music ones. ‘Too Much Time on My Hands’ and ‘In The Name Of Love’ are without a doubt the best tracks on the album. Songs like ‘Who’s Sorry Now’, ‘Who’s Foolin’ Who’, ‘One Heart’ and ‘Surrender Your Heart’ are also very good, but the worst song on the album is ‘I’m Not The Enemy’ in which Sadler really not convinces with his poor rap style vocals.

I never heard the debut solo CD of Michael Sadler, but if it’s of the same level as ‘Clear’ then this is his second good solo album in a row. This release should appeal to fans of Saga, AOR and west coast music. Not as good as the latest Saga platter, but good enough for me!

Rating: 81/100 (details)

http://www.michaelsadler.com