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Starcastle - Song of Times CD (album) cover

SONG OF TIMES

Starcastle

 

Symphonic Prog

3.04 | 76 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars The first experience with Starcastle happened when they released their debut in 1977. Once I realised their clone of Yes, I never played the CD anymore and never paid attention to the later development of the band until couple of days ago when I accidentally spun this 'Song of Times' album and struck by its opening track 'Red Season' (5:28) which is not bad at all. In fact, I was impressed especially having known that the new Yes album 'Fly From Here' sounds to mellow for me. And then I started to compare: How come this track is much better than any of songs in 'Fly From Here' album? How come the clone is better than the original? I was so curius and started to enjoy this album in its entirety.

I have to admit that 'Song of Times' by Starcastle is better than Yes 'Fly From Here' and Yes 'Open Your Eyes'. musically. Yes, Starcastle music is totally emulating the style of Yes. But it's now OK for me to enjoy this album as I find that the new Yes album is not that so excellent - may be just good in itself. But when it's compared with other prog albums, I do not put 'Fly From Here' in the top list at all. In this 'Song of Times' album you can hear the 'almost' exact voice of Jon Anderson as first predictor of Starcastle music's similarity with Yes. The second thing you would find is the bassplaying of Rickenbaker that sounds very similar with Chris Squire. The rest is actually not quite the same. Well, you might say keyboard work is similar even though still far from what Rick Wakeman can do.

Overall, this is a good album. You can listen to tracks like 'Babylon' (9:24), 'Song of Times' (6:04) that are no bad at all. In fact in 'Master Machine' (4:24) you can find the opening choirs that explore Anderson-like voices. If you never knew a band called YES before listening to this album by Starcastle, I am sure you would rate this album as a good one. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 3/5 |

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