Reviews list for Savatage - Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)

Today I felt up to revisiting Savatage after one of my outside-world friends shared a couple songs from this album. Streets shows the band joining the concept album trend that would carry on in many of their 90s albums. A story filled with different characters and twists centers around a fallen rockstar wandering New York's drug-laden streets. It keeps up the operatic motive of their previous album Gutter Ballet. While it's not entirely awful, it just doesn't appeal to me now as it had a few years ago...

As the band attempted to keep things going from the operatic Gutter Ballet, it sounds like they've gotten farther than they should've had. Streets is almost 70 minutes long, and while I enjoy some long progressive concept albums, it causes some decrease in consistence. Although the band has insisted that this is fiction and autobiographical (that's how I've had to explain the book series that I write), it seems more like a tale of their addiction/success struggles in the pre-Hall of the Mountain King era. Now I don't mind the constant narrations. It's the excessive amount of piano ballads that can be sleep-inducing, better suited for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, no offense.

So, talking only about tracks that I actually like, the title opener impresses me with dark orchestration and vocals. However, it can never surpass "Jesus Saves", introducing the main character DT Jesus and having catchy hooks. "Strange Reality" is another melodic heavy metal highlight to sing along to. After a couple sappy happy tracks, "Sammy and Tex" actually makes me happy with speedy guitarwork by Criss Oliva (RIP). "Ghost in the Ruins" has more of that but with less speed. Along with "Agony and Ecstasy" to get you hooked. As we approach the end, the uplifting ballads become more interesting like "Heal My Soul" which becomes more than just a lullaby. "Believe" is practically a hymn to the rock world, well effective for a radio ballad. I would've loved it slightly more when I was a teen. And I still want more of the earlier speedy heaviness.

Other problems this album seems to have is not enough power in the production. At least the atmosphere allows you to wander through the streets like DT Jesus. I enjoy the guitars and vocals by the Oliva brothers, though Jon seems to have overused the keys despite having some excellent moments. The bass isn't all that audible, and the drums are so f***ing simple with not much of the speed I expect in most metal bands. And the melodies that are often catchy sometimes come out too arena-ish. Perhaps their couple previous albums I should've revisited, maybe even Sirens or Dead Winter Dead. Nonetheless, the band knew what they were doing in the decent Streets....

Favorites (only tracks I like): "Streets", "Jesus Saves", "Strange Reality", "Sammy and Tex", "Ghost in the Ruins", "Agony and Ecstasy", "Heal My Soul", "Believe"

‘Streets: A Rock Opera’, released in 1991, is the sixth studio album by American metal band Savatage. It sees the band further develop their unique style which incorporates huge influences from musicals and classical music, and features a concept based on the rise and fall of fictional musician D.T. Jesus. Coming at a time when metal was becoming stale to mainstream fans, it was no doubt a risky move by the band to continue this route, but the end result is one of their most highly revered and well-received albums.

Riding a wave of momentum from their previous albums, ‘Hall of the Mountain King’ and its successor, ‘Gutter Ballet’, and once again continuing their working relationship with producer Paul O’Neill (who wrote the original story for the album), the band have hit their stride here, finding their niche and sounding more confident than ever before.

Wonderfully produced, the sound of the album evokes many moods throughout its diverse track list. From heavy rockers, to melodic tearjerkers, the production perfectly captures the essence and mood of each song. At times haunting and eerie, melancholic and depressing, or uplifting, head banging metal anthems, O’Neill has done a tremendous job of capturing the right vibe which suits the style of the band, and gives each member ample space to shine.

With songs such as ‘Jesus Saves’, ‘Somewhere in Time/Believe’, ‘Tonight He Grins Again/Strange Reality’, ‘Ghost in the Ruins’, ‘You’re Alive/Sammy and Tex’ and ‘Agony and Ecstasy/Heal My Soul’, there’s no shortage of Savatage highlights here. Along with Jon Oliva’s hauntingly passionate vocals and Criss Olivas classically-inspired guitar acrobatics, this is a pivotal album for the band, which would see them continue to ignore musical trends in favour of their own musical and artistic integrity, making ‘Streets: A Rock Opera’, a worthwhile addition to the collection of all rock and metal fans.

Savatage’s first attempt at a full on Rock Opera is mostly successful. The sound mostly picks up right from the more operatic parts of Gutter Ballet. They turn up the cheese, usually working well with it as they always have. The highs here are magical; Tonight He Grins Again is one of their finest songs ever, and Believe is a great ballad and closer.

The issue here is the same as many other overlong concept albums. At 16 tracks and almost 70 minutes, there is a lot of filler. The first half particularly struggles to deliver as many of the songs are kind of just fun rockers, which is not Savatage’s niche (The only ballad on this half, A Little Too Far, is their worst ever). The second half leans more into the melodic balladry they’re so good at, picking up a nice melancholic tone that brings it home nicely. The lyrics are good, but the story itself really isn’t all that compelling, as it’s just a rock star who got fame, hit rock bottom, got back to rocking… We’ve heard it a million times.

Overrated, especially compared to their other albums, but still holds many gems.