REAL TO REEL

This band has released no less than four albums in three years (this one included). From a pure symphonic prog completely derivative of Yes, the band turns fully pop (which was already a tendancy in their previous effort) and AOR. I guess that if the vocals have been more Wetton oriented, we could have had an Asia clone. So, it's up to you to discover this album or not, but there are very little reasons to do so.

As long as "Starcastle" kept on imitating their great model on a pure symph base, they could still make illusion and produce some average to good albums. But this album is a collection of poor songs, especially the the first four songs. The first bearable track is "Song for Alaya". This might well be the first true "Starcastle" song ever written. A decent rock ballad.

The other decent song is ... the closing number. It is even very pleasant up to the moment that the chorus starts. Then, the nightmare picks up again. Still, a good guitar work is there to keep it at a good level.

There is only one rating available : one star of course. What really annoys me is to hear that "Starcastle" almost anticipated what "Yes" would do several years later. Strange...