Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Saga - Silent Knight CD (album) cover

SILENT KNIGHT

Saga

 

Crossover Prog

3.71 | 271 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Matti
Prog Reviewer
3 stars For me this is among SAGA's best albums, if not the best. I like it more than the praised Worlds Apart, maybe because with this album I found the band when I was 13 or 14 (well, this AND the live album In Transit, to be exact) and so its "memory value" is higher. If I listened to this - or any SAGA album - today for the very first time, probably I wouldn't be very interested. But never underestimate the power of nostalgia linked to the music! Some days ago I had the chance to listen to this one after a couple of decades, and it was a delight. (It'll be interesting to see how a couple of their later albums will be to me. I'm not expecting much of them, really.)

Our Canadian group was never *very* progressive when it comes to compositions, but against the music industry of the time they surely were carrying a torch of some kind. And hardly any group has mixed synth pop elements and prog feeling as succesfully as SAGA. Compared to ASIA, who started some years later, they were less pompous and richer in details. They had more in common with the (then future) Neo-Prog bands than 70's Symphonic bands that usually form the idea of what prog is. So, in a way they were rather ahead of their time than behind. But maybe not that much that their music would feel "timeless". If you dislike early 80's popular music, chances are you won't like SAGA very much.

'Don't Be Late' is perhaps my favourite by this band. It really draws me into a deep, adventurous atmosphere, and I love the way it evolves from the slow, frail beginning into a hasty instrumental part. Another strong and chilling track is 'Careful Where You Step'. Perhaps the majority of the 8 songs are not even close to that level but (with the exception of two which are too synth-pop to my taste) all have something to keep the listener interested. The production and the playing are very good. Michael Sadler's vocals are a bit too much in the background in the mix, but they are a perfect pair with the crisp, keyboard-driven sound.

I also love the delicate track 'Time To Go' which has very beautiful keyboard playing and melodies. Essential album for SAGA listeners.

Matti | 3/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this SAGA review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.