Jon Oliva's Pain

[SoundMaster]

Hello all,

I (finally!) picked up Jon Oliva's solo album this weekend. I must say, it's phenomenal! I'm sure many of you Sava-fans have either already purchased it, or heard it, but I feel compelled to 'plug' it again, now.

It's really got more in common, musically, with 1987-1991 era 'Tage than with the Zak Stevens era, IMO. It has more of a classic Savatage feel. There is, however, a sense of progression in the writing not unlike their recent output.

And, the overall songwriting is just superior to recent efforts - there are hooks galore, as well as an overwhelming sense of melody (which, IMO, is the be all, end all of good music).

So, if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend picking this record up!

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

No doubt, that album kicks out the jams. It landed as #3 on my best of 2004 list, only behind Ayreon and Orphaned Land. I agree with your observations, Soundmaster. While it does hold some flavor of more recent Savatage, the songwriting hearkens back to the days of old...pre-Zak era. In fact, a couple of the songs on there were actually written back in those days!

Long Live Jon Oliva!

 

[carnut]

yep, album kicks ass, can't wait to see them in May ...

 

[Walter_Langkowski]

Hello all,

I (finally!) picked up Jon Oliva's solo album this weekend. I must say, it's phenomenal! I'm sure many of you Sava-fans have either already purchased it, or heard it, but I feel compelled to 'plug' it again, now.

It's really got more in common, musically, with 1987-1991 era 'Tage than with the Zak Stevens era, IMO. It has more of a classic Savatage feel. There is, however, a sense of progression in the writing not unlike their recent output.

And, the overall songwriting is just superior to recent efforts - there are hooks galore, as well as an overwhelming sense of melody (which, IMO, is the be all, end all of good music).

So, if you haven't already done so, I highly recommend picking this record up!

I agree Soundmaster, it is a great album. I have been listening to this for about two months now and I really enjoy it a lot. I think it is leaps and bounds ahead of Poets and Madmen in quality. It reminds me a lot of "Streets" at times. Great disc!

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Boy, I don't know. Poets and Madmen was a pretty kick ass album too. It's my second fav Savatage, only behind Streets, then Gutter, Wake and Dead. I thought 'Tage Mahal was a great follow-up to Poets, with a fresh new old school sound.

"fresh new old school"? is that possible, such a contradiction of terms? i guess it is!

 

[JonnyD]

Boy, I don't know. Poets and Madmen was a pretty kick ass album too

I agree with this Statement 100% ... I fucking LOVE Poets and Madmen! .....though JOP is pretty good too ... even if it is Basiclly Circle II Circle with Jon on vocals