BEHAVIOUR

There was a tough task ahead of Saga to come up with a fine follow up for one of their greatest albums ever, Heads or Tales. Apparently the challenge was a bit too much asked. Finally also Saga (like many other progbands such as IQ, GENESIS and YES) capitulated for the more poppy style almost all those chose to play forced by the inevitable flow you probably have to conform to at a certain point. Well, ok, also Heads or Tales (from 1983) had already some pop influences but this successor, Behaviour, even more so. To reach a dramatic rock bottom with Wildest Dreams ultimately.

Listen to your Heart isn't really a bad song to be honest. Sadler does a great job here and the ambient start of the song is quite captivating. 3,5*.

Take a Chance is a very catchy rocker with both poppy leanings as some progressive elements. Brings back sweet memories ... 3,5*

What do I know ? is a bit more ballad-like with great support vocals by Sharon Benson. Also here there's still good old Saga to be detected. Another classy song I can only admit but not outstanding. Ian Crighton shines at times as well on his guitar. 3,75*

Misbehaviour is more up tempo and again pretty accessible, touching the pop boundaries. Slightly less my personal fav but still good enough for 3,25*.

Nine Lives of Miss Midi is a short ambient key dominated instrumental. Just nice. 3*.

You and the Night is a very fine ballad again causing a great atmosphere caused by Gilmour's keyboardplay. Another one that is soooo Saga. Wonderful. 3,75*.

Out of the Shadows is the first song of the B-side of my beloved vinyl. And somehow it's no coincidence that this is the B-side. First four songs sound just a bit less inspired and less interesting compostionwise. I will gather them here for they all end up in the same score which is somewhere between 3 and 3,25 stars.

But they did save the best for last obviously. (Goodbye) Once upon a Time is one of the better songs in their career even and for sure the best song on the album. This mini-epic (for Saga standards) is very well built up and has a great atmosphere. 4*.

It all ends up in a score somewhere in the middle of a 3 and 4 star rating. So it's a tough choice once again. I've given many Saga albums four stars because the band is very special to me but somehow this one is a little bit less. But it's still (almost) very good all things considered. But I will leave it at three this time.