Saga’s debut album was excellent but didn’t blaze up the charts or sell well. But that’s OK. It’s 1979. The record labels have money to burn, and you will get another kick at the can if they think you’re on the upswing.
For the most part, Saga’s roster remained intact for Images At Twilight. The only lineup change from the debut is Gregg Chadd switching out Peter Rochon on keyboards. I’m not sure why Pete was replaced. I’m also unsure why this is the only album to feature Chadd on keys. He is credited with introducing the vocoder to the band, which became essential to their sound going forward.
Anyway, we’re here to find out if Saga succumbed to the dreaded “sophomore slump.” So, let’s take a look…
It’s Time (Chapter Three): A
When I first heard this song, I was disappointed with how the keys took the lead. I felt the riff would be better suited for the guitar. Then Ian Crichton’s guitar solo blasts into the song—chills are given, and all is forgiven.
See Them Smile: A
The vocoder makes its first appearance on a Saga album. I’m sure Jeff Lynne over at ELO fainted when he heard it. It’s used effectively for the song’s seeeee them smile hook.
Slow Motion: A
With a slow repeating build with the keys and a catchy chorus, this sounds like it could fit in with the first album. I’m not complaining because I like it a lot.
You’re Not Alone: B+
Finally! A guitar-driven riff! Meh, it’s OK. The more memorable part of the song is the catchy You’re not, You’re not, You’re not aloooone chorus. I like the 2nd half of the song better than the first.
Take It or Leave It: B-
Another OK track with a better 2nd half than the first. At one point, you can almost hear the building blocks for On the Loose creeping in… but we’re not there yet.
Images (Chapter One): C+
Hey, it’s chapter one! Yeah, this song bores me. I wouldn’t skip it during a casual listen, but I found it a slog to get through during a serious one.
Hot to Cold: A
Alright, here we go! This is something I can sink my teeth into! I noted that previous keyboardist Peter Rochon is listed as one of the composers, which made me miss him. The chorus, keys, and guitar solos are of high quality.
Mouse in a Maze: A+
I find the chorus annoying, but I love the rest of the song. Am I finally hearing one of those big guitar riffs that were frequent on the previous album??! Yes, I am! But there’s only one way to get out! OK, maybe the chorus isn’t so bad. Oh… are those some double bass drums towards the end? OK, I’ll back down. This is a fun song.
According to Wikipedia (which is never wrong), It’s Time became the band’s first charting single, reaching 84 on the Canadian Charts. It wasn’t enough to equate to a massive boost in sales, but the album’s success did earn them a spot as the opening act for RUSH in 1980. That is according to comments made by people on YouTube, which are never wrong, for sure.
Jokes about the internet and where I get my “facts” from aside, unlike the debut album, Images at Twilight lacks a plentiful amount of hooks, but it is acceptable. I’d hardly call it a slump—maybe more of a slouch or a minor droop.
4/5
Canadian Grooves 
T-Rev’s favourite as I recall!
You missed some CanRock on my blog last Saturday.
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All of their albums were very catchy around this time, so I can see how it could be someone’s favourite. Yeah, Kick Axe isn’t really my thing, and I try to keep it on the DL, lol
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It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever done…very proud of it.
T-Rev was a huge Saga fan. His #1 band for a long time.
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4/5 and it being perhaps minor slouch is still a great score. Wiki and Youtube are a great source of 100% proven facts. Sebastian Bach actually auditioned for Saga when he was 15 and that is a fact from Bach’s mouth. lol
Great writeup Sir..!
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Auditioned for what? lol Sadler wasn’t going anywhere when Bach was 15. That is just weird if true. Thanks, deke!
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Scroll to the 52 minute part
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OK, yeah, Bach is a little confused but I think I know what he is talking about. Steve Negus is the drummer, not the keyboardist. That aside, Negus and keyboardist Jim Gilmour left Saga to form The Glimour-Negus Project. That is what he auditioned for. They only had one album that flopped and were both back in Saga by ’92.
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Well there we go ….the real deal
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It is cool that he auditioned for it and it made such little impact in his life that he has forgotten the details. lol
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Well I think he has had some party treats over the years to help out with that.
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lol, no doubt!
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What is with the “Chapter” songs? Are you supposed to collect them all and play them in order for a story? I’ve always wondered.
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Yes, it was their gimmick. The songs combine to make a concept album of sorts. I think there is a total of 16 chapters spread over 7 or 8 albums. There is a live album where they play the chapters in order.
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Thanks. I will explore them eventually.
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Kevin man, you’re making me want to give Saga another chance. I once had “Images at Twilight” on cassette as part of a two-for-one set paired with “Silent Knight”, but at the time I felt like it was a little too soft for me so I parted with it. Now I feel like I would appreciate the music more. No matter what, I will say that “It’s Time (Chapter III)” always left an impression. I gotta hand it to Saga though: their album covers always caught my eye…
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I certainly would not have been into them during my younger days. And yeah, great album covers in the early days!
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