[7.5/10] With the release of their 18th studio album 10,000 Days in 2007, Canadian progressive/hard rock act Saga closed a lengthy chapter in their 30-year history with vocalist/founding member Michael Sadler parting ways with the band the same year to focus on his family and life outside of the music scene.

Replacing a member such as Sadler was never going to be an easy task, not only because he was an integral part to the band’s sound, but because his place within the Saga line-up was one that fans had become quite comfortable with. But after a tireless search, Saga (who is guitarist Ian Crichton, bassist Jim Crichton, keyboardists Jim Gilmour and drummer Brian Doerner) announced that they had found a suitable replacement in ex-Final Frontier vocalist Rob Moratti.

But aside from finding a new front man, the band also said that they were moving into a whole new era, with the promise to fans that their new album The Human Condition would lean more towards the progressive side of their sound, rather than the AOR direction of their last few releases.

In some ways, Saga have delivered on their promise, as Moratti proves himself to be a great asset to the band, and more than a capable vocalist to fill the void left behind in the wake of Sadler’s absence. But unfortunately, as good as The Human Condition is, it’s not that big a departure from the familiar Saga sound of recent years.

The seven minute semi-instrumental title track “The Human Condition” is a great opening statement of intent from the band, with the instrumental half of the band showing off their progressive abilities alongside Moratti’s infectious melody lines. Crichton and Gilmour really stretch out to showcase their talents on their respective instruments, while Moratti’s interjecting melodies ensure that the listener is constantly hooked in throughout.

A heavier and more aggressive edge is clearly evident on tracks such as “Step Inside,” “Crown Of Thorns,” “A Number With A Name” and “Let It Go.” And while the sound might be a little foreign to most Saga fans, it’s a sound that really suits the band, and one that breaks free of the somewhat formula like direction the band have been heading in over the last few releases.

But while there’s elements of something new heard in The Human Condition, there’s more than enough material on the album that caters strictly to the diehards. The slower paced “Hands Of Time” is a little too reminiscent of Queensr˙che’s “Silent Lucidity” to stand out as anything truly original, while the up-tempo “Now Is Now,” “Avalon” and the strictly pop-based “You Look Good To Me” sound like they could have been lifted from Saga’s last few releases, but with Moratti filling in for Sadler.

I get the impression that Saga really wanted to try something new on The Human Condition, but were equally aware and careful not to upset and alienate fans in the process, with the album’s overall sound trying hard to appease both camps. Saga have found a great front man in Moratti, and he definitely more than fits the big shoes he’s there to fill. What falls a little short of the mark is the band’s attempt to move forward musically, and take a risk in the musical sense, which inevitably leaves the feeling that as good as The Human Condition, it should have been so much stronger.

http://www.sagaontour.moonfruit.com/