Kind of a drag, but Saga has now lost their vocalist and their drummer, skinsman Steve Negus pointedly saying that he had written nearly an album’s worth of material for the last Saga album and it was all rejected. Can’t see why, because Dare To Dream proves Steve capable of writing stormy, percolating prog pop tracks well within the arcane Saga vein. Not sure he’s gotten an ideal drum sound/production/mix on this solo record (the Pasha/Proffer/Quiet Riot/Kick Axe snare is most annoying), but everybody else sounds good, with Steve himself contributing on both guitars and keys. For a singer, Steve tapped an old friend from Northern Ontario, Al Langlade, who does a versatile, dramatic job, hitting the highs as well as providing bluesy grit. Much lush acoustic music is also included, but the whole record rides an intriguing vibe of melancholy, perhaps underscored by the death of guitarist Mark Severn, in a car accident two weeks after laying down his tracks. Bloody ‘ell, I get back to that drum sound though – he may have been going for a Bonham ambience, but it chafes against the smooth mellifluous melding of the rest of the very rhythmic playing. Also a metalhead’s warning: this vibes and tones like Saga, but in the main, like mellow Saga, edged with the funkiness – or at least the lope - you might expect from a drummer’s solo album.
