SAVATAGE – Streets, A Rock Opera [remaster+2] (2011)

E.A.R. MUSIC / EDEL 2011 Remaster

As you see from the name itself, this is Savatage’s first rock opera. It’s also their first conceptual album (Dead Winter Dead, The Wake Of Magellan and Poets And Madmen are the other three). They progressed with this recording quite a lot, as they did with all the others from that era.

Like some other prog metal from the eighties, this isn’t traditional progressive rock. When compared to the music scene of 2011, it sounds more like hard rock than metal.

The main theme of this album is the story of the tumultuous life of a guitar prodigy named D.T. Jesus, who find himself living on the street.

The sound is a mixture of eighties hard rock and orchestral progressive rock. Although the progg influence is undeniable, it’s only a touch.

“Streets” is based on very melodious piano parts nevertheless the dominant instrument still is the guitar. The riffs are incisive, pounding the anger and vitriol of the mood in every chord.

The solos are breathtaking as Criss Oliva (RIP) skewers some of the most memorable and heart-wrenching ever put to record.

Every song demands your absolute attention, and Jon Oliva gives a vocal performance of his life. This is the last featuring Jon Oliva on lead vocals (well, he sang Poets And Madmen, but that was 12 years later). He does a really great job.

Every note he sings comes from the bottom of his heart. Oliva isn’t just vocalizing the part of D.T. Jesus. He IS D.T. Jesus.

As always, his songwriting is also remarkable, as is Paul O’Neill’s. Lyrics are a real poetry at times. As the standard is for Savatage, piano blends with guitars in song just perfectly. Doc and Johnny do their own job fine as the rhythm-machine.

Even more interesting are the orchestral arrangements, never dominant but especially on calm breaks you’ll notice that these wonderful orchestrations are spread all over the album.

First song “Streets” builds up the tone, idea and setting for the story. The children’s choir (which adds an extra level of haunting atmosphere) at the beginning is an excerpt from “The Magic Flute”. It sounds as a perfect introduction to a horror movie.

“Jesus Saves” has nothing to do with religious issues, it’s one of the most accessible tracks the band has ever released. Thanks to the memorable melody this is one of the all time favorites for the fans and believe me there’s a reason for that. Features a catchy melody, courtesy of Jon Oliva’s keyboards and Criss Oliva’s awesome riffage.

“A Little Too Far” is another highlight. Unusual for Savatage, this is a short, calm track with the piano in the main role. This proofs the song work out fine without big guitar riffs, keyboards or massive orchestrations and any rhythm section at all.

“You’re Alive” and “Sammy And Tex” are up-tempo rocking songs, followed by “St. Patrick’s” including a great piano and excellent, thought-provoking lyrics about questioning the existence of God.

“Can You Hear Me Now” is a wonderful power ballad executed in the Savatage way. Great buildup, strong verses and chorus, nice solo.

“New York City Don’t Mean Nothing” starts acousticly, but once those drums and bass comes in, this track slowing mutates into a solid monster stomper of a song.

“Ghost In The Ruins” is a classic Savatage rocker with fat bass lines, and this is also in a way, Criss Oliva’s showcase song, because he’s got a great extended solo where you can tell he’s showing off.

“If I Go Away” is a haunting slow piece that perfectly fit in with the album, it’s also a thought provoker: “Why am I put on this planet, and what possible impact have I had on this world, the people in it and on myself?” Powerful.

“Agony and Ecstasy” is a solid ’80s riff-driven rocker, energetic and catchy, followed by the second of two piano and vocals only songs in this album; “Heal My Soul”, which defines the story. You can feel the pain of the old man dying on this song.

“Somewhere In Time” it’s also incredibly haunting. Very beautiful lyrics. It has almost a heavenly feel to it throughout. The song’s message is there are no easy answers, but there is always hope.

The closing song “Believe” has an amazing stunning melody, a breath-taking and moving song. This is the pinnacle of Savatage’s ballads. The greatest lyrics the band has ever written are included here. The moral is to believe yourself and everything about yourself. Absolutely awesome climatic solo, great singing, and an imaginative guitar line.

The two new tracks recorded by Jon Oliva last year are beautiful acoustic versions of “This Isn’t What We Meant” (originally from ‘Dead Winter Dead’), and “Morning Sun” (from ‘Wake Of Magellan’).

Very rarely do you come across an album so momentous, so hard hitting. Pure emotional and breath-taking hard rock all crammed into one awesome concept disc.

The songs work much better within the context of the album, rather than individually, but it’s well worth it. From a reference point of view the music is reminiscent to the best stuff of Alice Cooper for the melodies and the voice especially on the ballads.

This album was Savatage’s biggest mainstream success, and the one to gave critical acclaim to Criss Oliva masterful guitar playing.

Remastered and sounding in all its glory, “Streets, A Rock Opera”, like a good wine, only gets finer with age.

1. Streets

2. Jesus Saves

3. Tonight He Grins Again

4. Strange Reality

5. A Little Too Far

6. You’re Alive

7. Sammy And Tex

8. St. Patrick’s

9. Can You Hear Me Now

10. New York City Don’t Mean Nothing

11. Ghost In The Ruins

12. If I Go Away

13. Agony And Ecstasy

14. Heal My Soul

15. Somewhere In Time

16. Believe

bonus tracks recorded by Jon Oliva in 2010 :

17. This Is What We Meant (acoustic version)

18. Morning Sun (acoustic version)

Jon Oliva – Vocals, Piano

Criss Oliva – Guitars

Johnny Lee Middleton – Bass

Steve “Doc” Wacholz – Drums

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