Streets: A Rock Opera Review
| Band | |
|---|---|
| Album |  Streets: A Rock Opera |
| Type | Album (Studio full-length) |
| Released | October 4, 1991 |
| Genres | Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal |
| Labels | Atlantic |
| Length | 1:08:35 |
| Ranked | #8 for 1991 , #303 all-time |
Album rating : 91.1 / 100
Votes : 39 (8 reviews)
Votes : 39 (8 reviews)
June 15, 2021
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.
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.
1 like
Track listing (Songs)
| title | rating | votes | video | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Streets | 6:51 | 90.4 | 15 | Audio |
| 2. | Jesus Saves | 5:13 | 90 | 17 | Audio |
| 3. | Tonight He Grins Again | 3:28 | 90.9 | 13 | |
| 4. | Strange Reality | 4:56 | 84.5 | 12 | |
| 5. | A Little Too Far | 3:27 | 89 | 12 | |
| 6. | You're Alive | 1:51 | 80.6 | 11 | |
| 7. | Sammy and Tex | 3:07 | 85 | 10 | |
| 8. | St. Patrick's | 4:18 | 92.2 | 11 | Audio |
| 9. | Can You Hear Me Now | 5:12 | 89.4 | 10 | |
| 10. | New York City Don't Mean Nothing | 4:02 | 86.3 | 10 | |
| 11. | Ghost in the Ruins | 5:34 | 91 | 12 | |
| 12. | If I Go Away | 5:18 | 93.2 | 13 | Audio |
| 13. | Agony and Ecstasy | 3:33 | 81.9 | 10 | |
| 14. | Heal My Soul | 2:35 | 81.9 | 10 | |
| 15. | Somewhere in Time | 3:17 | 90.5 | 13 | Audio |
| 16. | Believe | 5:42 | 96.9 | 18 | Audio |
Line-up (members)
- Jon Oliva : Vocals, Piano
- Criss Oliva : Guitars
- Johnny Lee Middleton : Bass
- Steve Wacholz : Drums
261 reviews
| cover art | Artist | Album review | Reviewer | Rating | Date | Likes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | | Images and Words Review (1992) | 90 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Epidemic of Violence Review (1992) | 95 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | 80 | Sep 28, 2021 | 2 | |||
 | | 90 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | |||
 | | The IVth Crusade Review (1992) | 90 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Somewhere Far Beyond Review (1992) | 85 | Sep 28, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Crossbearer Review (1992) | 70 | Sep 27, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Grand Guignol Review (1992) | 40 | Sep 27, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | 75 | Sep 27, 2021 | 0 | |||
 | | Jealousy Review (1991) | 95 | Jun 15, 2021 | 2 | ||
 | | Angel Rat Review (1991) | 90 | Jun 15, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Badmotorfinger Review (1991) | 55 | Jun 15, 2021 | 3 | ||
 | | Arise Review (1991) | 95 | Jun 15, 2021 | 5 | ||
 | | ▶ Streets: A Rock Opera Review (1991) | 80 | Jun 15, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Gothic Review (1991) | 75 | Jun 14, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Lo Flux Tube Review (1991) | 60 | Jun 14, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Mr. Bungle Review (1991) | 40 | Jun 14, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Bullhead Review (1991) | 45 | Jun 14, 2021 | 1 | ||
 | | Ritual Review (1991) | 85 | Jun 14, 2021 | 0 | ||
 | | Wretch Review (1991) | 50 | Jun 13, 2021 | 0 |
Gutter Ballet Review (1989)
구르는 돌 90/100Aug 29, 2020 Likes : 8
통상적으로 Savatage의 최고 명작으로는 Streets: A Rock Opera가 가장 많이 언급된다. 록 오페라 컨셉에 유기적인 구성과 일관된 스토리 라인을 갖춘 Streets: A Rock Opera는 Queensrÿche의 대작 Operation: Mindcrime, W.A.S.P.의 걸작 The Crimson Idol와 함께 3대 컨셉 앨범이라는 고평가를 받아왔다. 개인적으로는 두... Read More
Gutter Ballet Review (1989)
이준기 95/100May 19, 2019 Likes : 6
사바타지의 5번째 앨범, 6집 Streets: A Rock Opera와 더불어 사바타지 최고의 앨범이다.
5집부터 단순 헤비메탈 노선에서 벗어나 프로그래시브 한 성향을 만들고자 했다고 해서 프로그래시브 메탈 장르로 분류가 되기는 하는데 사실 오페라틱한 느낌이 강하게 묻어나지 실제 프로그래시브 메탈... Read More
Gutter Ballet Review (1989)
Apache 95/100Sep 6, 2013 Likes : 4
Savatage를 이끌어 온 황금의 삼중주에서의 주자는 누가 뭐래도 Jon Oliva와 Criss Oliva 형제, 그리고 프로듀서 Paul O'Neil일 것이다. 특유의 광기어린 보컬 속에 어린 애상으로 밴드를 이끄는 작곡의 중추 Jon Oliva, 그런 Jon Oliva가 꾸는 꿈을 현실 속으로 옮겨 아름답게 피워낸 기타리스트 Criss Oliva, 그... Read More
Manowar JJang 90/100Oct 3, 2010 Likes : 4
난 사바타지 어떤 앨범보다도 이 앨범을 최고라 생각한다.
특히 크리스 올리바의 기량이 절정에 달한 앨범이 아닌가 한다.
그전에 사바타지의 여러 앨범을 들었고
당시 메가데쓰, 세풀투라 를 젤 좋아했고.뭐 당시 고딕메탈등..스피트메탈 하드코어 얼터 등등
이것 저것 안가리고 한참... Read More
The Dungeons Are Calling Review (1984) [EP]
The DEAD 90/100Sep 4, 2019 Likes : 3
많은 파워메탈을 좋아하는 리스너들은 USPM. 그러니까 미국 파워메탈을 이야기할 때 퀸스라이크와 페이츠 워닝 그리고 크림슨 글로리를 이야기를 한다. 그리고 그들의 음악으 얼마나 대단한가 그리고 얼마나 뛰어난가에 대해서 이야기를 하고 있다. 물론 그들의 음악은 미국 파워메탈에서... Read More
