Saga - "Worlds Apart"

- Released: 1981
- Format: standard album (vinyl, cassette, CD, download)

- Songwriting: 8
- Performance: 8
- Recording: 7
- First Impression: 6
- Staying Power: 8

This album sits somewhere between new wave and progressive rock.  While the former makes some of the songs (most notably the big hits "On The Loose" and "Wind Him Up") immediately accessible, the latter makes it demanding of multiple listening sessions to reveal the detail and depth.  Though the styles of the songs are quite varied, all of them are very good to excellent in their own way.

Suggested sample track: "Framed" (a few low quality versions exist on YouTube) or "Wind Him Up" (not my favourite but readily available on Grooveshark).

Recommendation: make a note to yourself to look for a used vinyl or CD, since the album is out of print as of writing.  Then download the best quality version you can find and play it on a good sound system.