CRYSTAL BALL

I will state right up front that I love this record. It was one of my favorite LP's in high school, and I probably listened to it 100 times. I don't understand why Crystal Ball isn't given the same respect as Equinox. Crystal Ball isn't any less progressive in my book. This is a high quality album overall.

"Suite Madam Blue" from Equinox, for instance, is great, but "Born for Adventure" is simply irritating. Is there a bias against Tommy Shaw at work here? The man can obviously sing, and I don't see the ability to write music that's broadly appealing as a crime! If I'm picking favorites, I would probably go with "Ballerina" and the title track. This is an excellent hard rock album with prog overtones. I'm giving it four stars.