Search - Starcastle :: Real to Reel

A "Reel" Disappointment

Chris Gerbig | Ontario, Canada | 09/04/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"After creating three bright, polished and highly produced symphonic rock masterpieces, STARCASTLE completely fails to deliver on this piece of AOR drivel. Forget all references to YES or KANSAS on this one! If the album cover doesn't set off the alarm bells for you, song titles like "Half A Mind To Leave Ya" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" should make it clear that there's precious little progressive rock to be had here. Even the poppier moments of Citadel ("Can't Think Twice" & "Could This Be Love") are miles above this shamelessly commercial, MOR travesty. The record company must have had a gun to the band's head to make them stoop so low. This is one that we could have done without on CD! It was the group's last studio album (no wonder!!) and the real pity is that anyone who hears this Starcastle album before any of the others would probably be hopelessly turned off the band. Only "Song For Alaya" (lead vocals by Stephen Hagler) and "When The Sun Shines At Midnight", both ballads no less, even hint at the old Starcastle sound. The production is good and the playing is tight. But it's wasted on this poppy fluff. Even Gary Strater's nimble bass lines can't save this material. Do yourself a favour and start out with "Starcastle" or "Fountains of Light". Leave this one for the fanatics and completists."

Starcastles'Last

Thomas Mazur | Lake Dallas, Texas,USA | 03/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is different than some of there previous albums, but it is Starcastle and has different songs than the other albums. A bit commerical, perhaps, but they were trying to make radio airplay. They were still a supergroup to me and and rank up there with Yes,Boston and Kansas, who they sound a lot like. They just weren't recognized as much with airplay or supergroup status."

This is not Starcastle

Timothy R. Neel | San Diego, Ca USA | 04/01/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Having been a fan of Starcastle since the first album I eagerly awaited the release of this album in 1978. Much to my chagrin I was extremely disappointed when I heard it for the first time after purchasing it. It was a mish-mash of "wannabe" AOR pop songs that sounded nothing like the first three albums. This was the record company executives trying to change them into something they were not: radio stars. To make my point Starcastle themselves tried to get this album buried. It's so bad that I refuse to complete my collection by buying the cd. So, a warning to all: if you are a fan of the Starcastle sound just keep listening to the first three albums and don't waste your money on this drivel."