DEFINING MOMENTS (VOLUME 1)

Saga is quite an unique band, and also hard to label. Where they a pop band with prog tendencies or a prog band that also goes pop from time to time? Their earlier stuff used to mix both pop and prog tunes on a more or less equal basis. And sometimes it did not seem that it was really one band that played both, save for the singer´s voice. However, Mid- eighties stuff got more commercial while latter releases are much more progressive. To pick up songs for a complilation might be very hard. Most of them tend to show the soft side of Saga, or just put on their hits.

Defining Moments (volume 1) on the other hand does justice to band´s many sides. It sure includes some of their most obvious and popular songs (Time´s Up, Wind Him Up, On The Loose), but it also shows their progressive face with songs that would never be played on any top 40 radio station (Ice Nice, Don´t Be Late, (Goodbye) Once Upon A time). On those, and others, Saga proves themselves as the excellent musicians and songwriters, capable of making both intricated and complex music on one song and a simple, catchy, pop tune that could (and some indeed would) be a top ten hit, on the same CD.

Their early hits made a lot of people overlook their many qualities. Ian Crichton, for exemple, is a very creative and skilled guitarrist who plays for the sake of the music, never too flashy, but always with tasteful breaks and arrangements. Michael Sadler has a very fine voice that unfortunatly was very much a common place in the 80´s new wave, which may be one the reasons most people tend to confuse them for other acts of that era, like Talk Talk. Their musical prowness, however, was a insurance that they would always temper their most simple tracks with clever and subtle arrangements. The band had 3 keyboards players, and yet, they never overdid them. A big quality that put them apart from any atempt to tag Saga as just another new wave/pop/AOR group.

So, I guess Saga is Saga, and this compilation is a good start to anyone who wants to be introduced to this much misunderstood band. The song selection shows their many sides, and yet, their unmistakable mark. Avoid the other best ofs. This is the one that does his work, even if (as always) some good stuff is missing. A solid 4 stars for me. For PA maybe a 3,5 stars rating would be more apropriate