SILENT KNIGHT

I first became familiar with this band back in 1980 with the song "Don't Be late" which was on the radio a lot back then. In the next year or so I would become familiar with songs like "On The Loose" and "Wind Him Up" all songs that I really liked. Actually even to this day I crank these songs up when I hear them. Back in the early eighties I never took the plunge in buying a SAGA album mainly because my concerns were about the rest of the songs on their records. So here I am almost 30 years later after purchasing this cd and the next two studio recordings."Silent Knight" was released in 1980 it was their third album and first with keyboardist Jim Gilmour. I must admit my concerns about the "rest of the songs" maybe not being that great were actually true.This is very much synth-led eighties sounding music.The first and last tracks are really good, especially the opening track which stands head and shoulders above the rest.

"Don't Be Late" opens with the synths swirling as Sadler starts to sing. Outbursts of guitar come and go.The thing I like most about this song is the atmosphere.The tempo continues to shift. "What's it gonna Be ?" is an uptempo tune with synths, drums and guitar standing out. Vocals before a minute.This is catchy and I like the chunky bass before 2 1/2 minutes. Melancholic guitar ends it.

"Time To Go" opens with piano melodies before vocals and drums start to lead the way. Synths become prominant. "Compromise" is uptempo with lots of synths. Some nice guitar after 2 minutes. "Too Much To Lose" opens with waves of synths before it kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes, vocals follow. "Help Me Out" is too poppy for my tastes. "Someone Should" is catchy and energetic. "Careful Where You Stop" has these pulsating synths and atmospheric guitar. Catchy and uptempo.

Barely 3 stars.