Customer Reviews

Behaviour

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Every time I listen to Behavior, I find myself asking the same question..."Is this really the same band that released great progressive-rock albums such as 'Images at Twilight' and 'Silent Knight'?". This is such a radical departure from the first 4 releases, though some probably got "Hints" of what was to possibly come with 'Worlds Apart', and more-so with 'Heads or Tales'. But personally, something about the "glossy, stylish" production of this album that keeps me coming back to it over the band's more "essential" releases. Now to clarify that last statement...Behavior is NOT my favorite Saga album, nor does it contain my favorite songs from the band(though 'Goodbye...' is definitely up there). What 'Behavior' does have though is a nice balance of short pop/rock songs that works well together,and consequently, makes the album have a "flow" to it---other than 'Goodbye Once Upon A Time', the songs here "feel" like they very much belong on the same album(something that can't be said about every album out there). And the mix...it sounds like no other album they've put out. That could be due to the new producer who helped with the album or maybe just the fact these songs needed a "classy/sophisticated" mix---as was the case with "pop" music in the 80s, album mixes were dominated by highs and lows and less midrange than previous years/albums(I actually like some albums that have this "hot" type of mixing). As for the individual songs...there really isn't a 'bad' song here---Yes, their a bit more "poppier" than what one would expect from a Saga album, but no less enjoyable(IMO). There really is something here for everyone...upbeat, catchy rock in 'Misbehavior', 'Here I am' and 'Out of the Shadows'; straight-laced pop of 'Take a Chance', 'Promises' and 'What Do I Know'(this last one reminds me of a Madonna type song-though I can't quite put my finger on exactly why). The ballad of the album would have to be 'You and the Night'...while '(Goodbye)Once Upon a Time' is the only song here resembling anything of the "progressive" rock this band is most associated with. The bands performance on 'Behavior' is very stylish and tasteful as fans of the band have come to expect. However, don't expect "hundred-miles a minute" solos or twisting odd-time passages---you'll have to dig into the bands back catalougue to get that "Fix". There's no doubt about it...this band purposely set out to do this particular style of album---whether to grow as a group or try to "fit-in" with the music coming out at the time is arguable. For me, after repeated listens of this album, I find it very 'palatable' and one of their most cohesive releases---Ironically, 10-plus years ago, I would have tossed this CD off the local bridge after 1 spin...but with age, some of my tastes have definitely changed. Recommended, along with newer releases i.e. 'Network', 'Trust', 'House of Cards', Etc.

I got into Saga around 1994, because I heard they sounded a little bit like Rush, and I saw a Saga album on sale at a record shop. That was a Saga compilation album, which was very good. After doing a little more research, I discovered that my favorite songs on that compilation came primarily from two Saga studio albums, namely Silent Knight and Behaviour. I also heard people talk about how Worlds Apart is the group's masterpiece and The Security of Illusion was their best latter-day album.

To make a long story short, over the years I picked up every Saga album all the way through the recently-released Marathon, and in my opinion, Silent Knight and Behaviour are head and shoulders above the rest of them. However, I also give good marks to recent efforts Full Circle and Marathon, both of which have some amazing songs on them.

Behaviour definitely sounds like a passionate, musically-interesting accessible rock album with progressive overtones circa 1985. I think it is marvelous. If this description sounds interesting to you, and you don't think that "keyboard" is a bad word, I urge you to check it out.

When listening to this incredible record several words come to mind: beautiful, sincere, warm, tasteful, and melodic. Sadly never heard in the States, BEHAVIOUR is Saga's gem.

Where was Saga to go after the dark modern prog of Worlds Apart and Heads or Tales? The former was the band's biggest "hit", largely thanks to some quality rotations of videos on MTV. The latter, while not as popular, held the ground creatively. I have visions of meetings with A&R men who gave the band some "advice" (along the lines of "Go platinum with this one or you're dropped.")
Still, with the pressure on and probably a fair lack of inspiration from one or two band members, Saga released this relatively unknown masterpiece. Gone were the paranoid, sci-fi themes of "The Chapters" and "The Flyer", and in their place were radio-friendly love songs. I remember the summer of 1985 and hearing the catchy "What do I Know" on AOR radio, and not being as wowed as when I first heard "On the Loose". Some of the rhythmic snap left with producer Rupert Hine (Peter Walsh manned the boards here), but prominent on this album is the icy coolness of then-modern synthesizers such as the Fairlight, combined with very insistent piano. This sound is best heard in the urgent "Out of the Shadows", the sublime ballad "You and the Night", and the excellent curtain-raiser "Listen to Your Heart".
Not all progressive elements disappeared however: "The Nine Lives of Miss Midi" is an epic song title, but is actually about 90 seconds of steam-whistle synth before "You and the Night"--more appropriate than it sounds. And the album finale "Goodbye (Once Upon a Time)" is one of Michael Sadler's finest ruminations on growing older. Beginning with a melancholy piano melody playing over the sound of playground children, this song is the equivalent of a sentimental trawl through old photo albums. It ends the album on a somewhat inspirational note, as the singer insists on "..no more living in the past." Guitarist Ian Crichton gets his rock out on "Misbehaviour" and "Here I Am", and "Promises" is another quality ballad.
It's surprising this wasn't a bigger hit. It was perfect for radio, and in the video for "What Do I Know" it's apparent that George Michael stole the brooding-stubble-and-tight-jeans look from Michael Sadler. But maybe that's a dubious claim to fame for Mr. Sadler!
This release probably didn't do much for the hardcore fans in 1985, but maybe with hindsight and chronological distance the stylistic shift of the band from 1983-85 won't be as jarring. While I'm more inclined to give this album 4.5 stars, I'll give it the full five because of it's personal importance to my life, and how it always sends me into nostalgic late-80s mode. So much for "Goodbye once upon a time..."

lots of jams and some mellow stuff too. Not your hard rock or arena rock just some good music to enjoy and unwind to.

When I bought this way back when it came out ,I did not like this one bit ,with the exception of the song 'Take a chance',which is amazing.They had now gone further 'astray' from the magical first 3 albums,and it disappointed me big time.Found it on cd about a month ago and thought what the heck,since I was on another Saga appreciation period.Now it was just a very tasteful pop cd with great prog moments to make this a fantastic addition to the Saga collection.
What I am saying,this should not be bought as a classic Saga cd,cause then you will be dissapointed .Buy it for what Saga was about in 85.

The saga remastering was a long time in coming. This album sounds great and while not as good as Heads or Tales, Worlds Apart or the epic GENERATION 13 it is still a good saga album. The bonus on this remastered version is the live version of MISBEHAVIOUR. Sadly the artwork looked better on my polygram version but that one didn't have the lyrics and this does. SO there are some plus' and minus' to this Saga release. You be the judge.

This is a solid cd from saga. It was a little more straigth ahead instead of progressive for the time. Best tracks on it are Out of the shadows and goodbye once upon a time. What Do I know received a lot of air play on Mtv.

This release is a waste of time and money. There is nothing about this recording that hints of the breath-taking work performed with Worlds Apart, Heads or Tales, or Security of Illusion. The best adjectives I can attach to Behaviour are dull, boring, bland. In fact, I was even somewhat angry when I first listened to it, because my expectations had been raised by Worlds Apart. Saga is a great band, but their greatness doesn't show on Behaviour.