Savatage - Streets: A Rock Opera

1. "Streets" - This is the title track and introduction to this great album. It starts with a children's choir. The song sets the stage on which Streets plays. It is a rather dark and ominous song about life on the streets and the dangers that lurk around every corner and in every alley. This song, in some ways, is similar to the song "Gutter Ballet" from Savatage's previous album, Gutter Ballet. Good introduction but the best is yet to come.
2. "Jesus Saves" - This songs tells us about our fallen hero, DT Jesus. He's a former rock star who has fallen on bad times. He now deals drugs for a living. But DT still plays in clubs whenever he can. This song is harsh and in-your-face and it fits the story perfectly.
3. "Tonight He Grins Again" - This song describes DT's drug abuse. Things are getting worse for DT. He is sinking deeper and deeper into his addiction. This song characterizes drugs as evil and unforgiving and it is another very dark tune. Savatage is at their best here.
4. "Strange Reality" - This is another one of Savatage's best songs. Criss Oliva on guitar sounds absolutely brilliant. The opening riff is very catchy. At this point in the story, DT meets an old blues guitarist who was once a brilliant musician but has let substance abuse bring him down. DT realizes that this is what he will become if he doesn't change. DT decides to straighten out.
5. "A Little Too Far" - DT ponders what happened to all of his heroes? Why has his life turned into a nightmare? Why is the world a cynical place? This is a moving, slow-paced song. Jon Oliva's voice is very sweet here. And the piano, the only instrument used on this song, is unbelievably moving.
6. "You're Alive" - DT quits his addiction, cleans himself up and starts hitting the club circuit with stunning success. This song is a very positive song with pop-rock appeal. Everything is looking up for DT at this point.
7. "Sammy and Tex" - Tex is DT's road manager. Sammy is a drug dealer DT owes money to. It's late at night and Sammy confronts DT after a successful performance. Tex intervenes and is killed by Sammy. This is a fast-paced, furious song. We know that something bad is going to happen from the first note.
8. "St. Patrick's" - DT is shattered. Just when things were going well, DT's past comes back to haunt him and Tex is murdered. This song focuses on questions DT asks God. And whether God really cares or not. The song starts off very quiet, Jon Oliva's voice is beautiful. And then the song turns into one of frustration and desperation as DT wonders why things happen the way they do. This is a very good song. It captures DT's emotions very effectively.
9. "Can You Hear Me Now" - DT is desperate for help -- for advice or any kind of comfort. But no one has the answers he seeks -- or rather, he needs. Desperation, again, is a strong part of this song.
10. "New York City Don't Mean Nothing" - As DT walks the streets of New York City, he realizes what a dangerous world he lives in. This song describes the dangers of New York and how it destroys dreams. It is a very effective song. It starts off quietly enough, sounding a lot like "Sleep" from Savatage's 1993 album, Edge of Thorns. In fact, one gets the sense that "Sleep" is a reworked version of the opening of this song. However, this song doesn't stay calm for very long. It soon explodes into a twisted and dark inferno -- New York City indeed.
11. "Ghost In the Ruins" - A fan favorite, this song is a sequel of sorts to "New York City Don't Mean Nothing". It contains the same message. Good, mid-tempo song.
12. "If I Go Away" - DT ponders what will become of himself if he "goes away". Will people remember him? Does he even want to be remembered? Maybe he can just disappear and start over. This is a very introspective song with a Lennon-esque feel to it. It's very and amazingly beautiful. Truly, one of the highlights of Streets -- and there are many highlights on Streets.
13. "Agony and Ecstasy" - Temptation. DT is feeling more and more miserable and drugs offer a "way out" for him. They offer a temporary reprieve from his life. This song is thrashy in-your-face, harsh and desperate. Fits the situation perfectly.
14. "Heal My Soul" - This song is based on an old Irish prayer-song. This is another very moving and beautiful song. Very quiet, very sad and Jon Oliva's voice is very sweet.
15. "Somewhere In Time" - I don't want to give away the rather odd but wonderful finale to the story. I'll just say that this is a great song. It is powerful in it's message and delivery. And it is a great setup to the finale of all finales: "Believe".
16. "Believe" - This may be Savatage's best song. In fact, it is Savatage's most popular song. And it closes the story of Streets beautifully. It's powerful and moving, grand and sweeping. It is an epic ending to an epic album. Piano and guitar intertwine fantastically and the lyrics are stunning. "I am the way - I am the light - I am the dark inside the night - I hear your hopes - I feel your dreams - and in the dark I hear your screams...". Great ending to a great album.