IMAGES AT TWILIGHT

In May 1979, "Images At Twilight", the second album by the Canadian prog band Saga, was released. Although the album lacks some of the grandeur of their later records, it remains an essential part of the band's history. With tracks like the impressive crowd-pleaser You're Not Alone, the beautiful ballad Images (Chapter One), and the catchy Mouse In A Maze, they ensured that the world took notice.

First, let's discuss the lineup of the band at the time. Almost everyone from the classic lineup is present on the album: lead vocalist Michael Sadler, the masterful guitarist Ian Crichton, brother Jim on bass guitar, and drummer Steve Negus. The only deviation is keyboardist Greg Chadd. It's a testosterone-fueled explosion of talent, this emerging quintet of musicians. Chadd's tenure with the band was short-lived. The session musician joined Saga in December 1978 after the original keyboardist Peter Rochon departed. Chadd left the band again in August 1979. Nevertheless, he can be proud of his contribution.

Over the years, the synchronous interplay of guitar, keyboards, and drums has remained Saga's unique selling point. On "Images At Twilight," these elements are not as pronounced, largely due to Chadd's playing style compared to his virtuosic successor Jim Gilmour. Chadd focuses more on chordal brass parts, which is not a detriment. His playing meshes well with Ian Crichton's guitar antics, making the relatively simple compositions wildly appealing. Add to that Sadler's vocals, which are of absolute world-class quality, and the evocative lyrics with their one-liner-like refrains, and you have a winning combination. It's all expertly held together by the dynamic interplay of the rhythm tandem Crichton-Negus. Let's dive in.

Saga knows better than anyone how to turn their progressive rock into compact songs. The first three tracks perfectly demonstrate the Canadians' uncompromising approach. The brisk It's Time (Chapter Three) exudes exuberance with deep basslines, cheerful keyboards, and a deliciously languid guitar solo. In See Them Smile, Saga opts for a lighter sound by experimenting with a Vocoder, while the duel between guitar and keyboards truly lives up to the title. It fills me with joy. The angular Slow Motion is also a delightful presence. The lightly funky bass guitar makes it an ideal prelude to one of Saga's best songs, You're Not Alone. What a classic the band delivers here. Everything is spot on, from the dynamics to the ensemble playing, the solo spot, to the fantastic ending. It's a song that intrigues above all. From the last notes, you really just want one thing: straight to side B.

Saga is one of the few bands where uptempo songs go down like a treat for me. This is because the joy of playing is palpable, and because everything is as tight as can be. The Canadians' music is filled with well-timed tempo and mood changes that keep your ears perked. The beauty is that they all make sense. Tracks like Take It Or Leave It and Hot To Cold are prime examples. Between these two songs, Saga presents the ballad of ballads, Images (Chapter One). Here, Saga employs piano, fleeting synthesizer lines, Michael Sadler's captivating voice, atmospheric acoustic guitar, and a hyper-bombastic finale full of deep Moog and brass sounds. While it's safe to assume that the concluding Mouse In A Maze has a nice a cappella intro and that the rest of the song is exceptionally infectious, experiencing the thunderous drums at the end is something you'll have to do for yourself.

With "Images At Twilight," Saga has crafted an excellent second album. It's a work with no low points and a number of magical moments. Very okay.

Originally posted on www.progenrock.com