Here are two North American bands I have casually lumped together as identical sort of prog kitschy North American bands that were not for me and extremely similar. I'm curious as to which bands the community here prefers and why.
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13STYX84.62%11SAGA15.38%2 -
Well, that ends the argument.
For now. -
Oh, the why: Styx are much more varied in their songs, by comparison Saga is a poor man’s Asia.
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Styx was one of my top 5 bands back in the second half of the 70's. I don't remember hearing much if any Saga.Jeff Tiberius Grey Wolf
My hovercraft is full of eels
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Well, I guess I'm the lone Canadian voice in the wilderness again… "Saga is a poor man's Asia" seems a bit harsh; in the same worlds, maybe, but also worlds apart, in some ways… Now if you'd said Saga is the Journey of Asias, I'd agree!
I'll grant you Styx can be more varied — one thing about Saga is they really, for the most part, keep doing the same thing: songs from one album could easily fit on another, even decades apart, so if you like them, you'll easily like pretty much any Saga album (and vice versa, sure). Consistent, I'm saying. But even without the 16-song Chapters cycle, I'd give them the nod over Asia on the proggy scale, for some of their more atmospheric or experimental pieces, or instrumental arrangements. Plus, and maybe I mentioned this, Canadian!
I do like all three bands, for sure, and I've especially enjoyed Styx's most recent albums, which just sound really, really, good — maybe the analog recording, maybe the sharper songwriting, whatever. All the lead vocalists putting in strong performances and harmonizing didn't hurt, either.Comment
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I think you had to be in Germany or Canada: Canada has Canadian content rules which help local talent secure radio airplay, and Germany is just, well, Germany… Saga is really big there, so when they tour, they tour Germany.Originally posted by Grey Wolf View PostComment
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Frankly, I don't remember Saga at all.
It's almost like you made up a band name.
Like if you were asking which was better: Camel or Dromedary?Comment
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Yes, maybe a bit harsh, I admit. And by 1982 I was very much prone to like Asia, because of there being no Yes. No such positive bias withOriginally posted by Homemade Parachute View Post
Saga...Comment
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Saga has some fantastic songs, and musicianship. I believe they opened up for Par Benatar after Worlds Apart.
If you are from the U.S., it has to be Styx for it's classic songs. They certainly have some weird songs and showtunes in there as well. Saga, from what I understand, and have heard hasn't strayed too far from what they do best.
Styx has Canadian Larry Gowan doing his own thing for years now, and covering Dennis' contributions.
This is Larry's favorite Yes-related/Jon Anderson contribution; Moonlight Desires. Somehow, Jon talked folks into making an expensive video. I love it! ( for those who somehow may have missed it. )
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Styx up through high school, early 80’s.....
Saga started with Worlds Apart, big surprise right, and from College on.....
I guess sort of coincides with high points of Styx and my discovery of Saga. Admittedly I didn’t really know Saga beyond worlds apart hits until college, as a floor mate was a big fan.
If if I had to choose what I put on at home, would be Saga, as I can hear Styx in the car a lot. If I want early Styx gotta put That on at home of course.
Desert island - hmm. If I want reminisce about HS gotta be Styx. College gotta be Saga.
I dont think Saga is at all a poor mans asia. Nothing Alike to me. I think that’s a slap to Michael Sadler to lump him in like that. He/they had sounds if their own.
Tough one ...... today, I would choose Saga.
Ps: great / fun poll question. Love the varied views!!Last edited by Gtkgasman; 03-02-2022, 12:00 PM.Comment
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I'm going to say Styx, as I have a soft spot for the best of their material. Their 'main sequence' (Equinox from 1975 through Kilroy Was Here in 1983) is top notch to me. Yes, they were more varied and the songwriting can be top notch as well. They were like an American version of Queen in some respect: heavy rock, power ballads, pomp rock/proggy stuff, showtuney stuff, concept albums. Three lead singers. A lot of variety. Unfortunately, they imploded on themselves and today's Styx without Dennis Deyoung, although still ok to me, is lesser than what they were. Just for traditional reasons, I nostalgically voted Styx.
However, Saga.
I am a big fan of both groups, and Saga is my second favorite Canadian band. No points for guessing the first favorite, it's automatic. But Saga have been more consistent since the end of the 90's than Styx, and they stick to what they do best. As previously posted, they pretty much do the same thing every album - but it's a very good same thing. They hit their target audience. They definitely are not a poor man's Asia, but they are sorta in the same bracket as them. But different, Michael Sadler has a unique voice which nobody else sounds like. Plenty of Tommy Shaw sounding singers, but Sadler is a one-off. Saga's often overlooked feature is what on the surface seems like some catchy and accessible AOR type rock, but below the surface is some major playing and craft, a lot of stop-and-go arrangements. They make the complicated sound simpler, if that makes sense. It's all there. They only have one real turkey (1997's Pleasure & The Pain) and one kinda ho-hum album (1994's Steel Umbrellas), but the rest of the catalogue ranges from ok to excellent. Styx vs Saga, real close, but my heart says Styx. But Saga is nothing to sneeze at. Now we need a new Saga album of all new material for the summer. That would hit the spot.Comment
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It's true that Saga wasn't used for the prom scene in Virgin Suicides, and it is perfect as is…Originally posted by Gtkgasman View Post
(One of my kids was having trouble telling the difference between Journey and Rush at one point [I know, I know…], so I said, if the song's about smooching, it's Journey; if no smooching in sight, Rush. Something similar between Styx and Saga, perhaps…?)Comment
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