Customer Reviews

Starcastle

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The last time the rock constituency excused copycat sounds was back during the '50s, when there were a lot of artists but not much variety in the sound. That sort of openmindedness was long gone by the time this Illinois band came on the scene. When they released this album, there was all sorts of whining by the press and on the grassroots level about "ripping off Yes", when the press was vehemently opposed to the prog sound anyway. I mean, nobody objected to Paul McCartney's Elvis imitation in "Lady Madonna". It never occurred to me back then to wonder about this phenomenon in rock. I mean, wasn't it all about REPUDIATION of hypocrisy? I guess we only THOUGHT we were self-analytical. But the truth about Starcastle was that they did a super job of providing additional Yes-type music at a time when the real dudes were in a productive and creative slump. In those days, there was no Spock's Beard or Dream Theater--the best my own generation of American could do with prog was listen to it. While Rolling Stone trashed it. But as for imitative bands, per se, if I like a certain style of music, I'm going to listen to WHOEVER does it right.

After growing up with Yes, Genesis and King Crimson, it's all too easy to pass up a lesser known act such as Starcastle...but one listen to this album, and you'll wonder where you've been all these years...America's answer to Yes, musically and lyrically. If you really enjoy that early Yes sound (Yours Is No Disgrace, Siberian Khatru, And You And I, etc.), you'll LOVE this album...a beautiful and respected addition to any progressive rock collection!

Much to my surprise, I found the debut by this American band to be actually quite good. My surprise stems from the fact that everything that I have ever read mentions something to the effect that Starcastle is a Yes rip-off band. Although high pitched five-part vocal harmonies, positively excellent bass playing (on a trebly Rickenbacker bass no less), some agile Steve Howe-ish guitar playing, several thinly-veiled references to Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (Yes opened their shows with this piece), and Rick Wakeman-esque keyboard parts figure prominently, there is a discernible Starcastle quality to the music. In their defense, these guys had the ability to play music with great sophistication and possessed the compositional skills to write really interesting pieces of music. When you move past the superficial Yes trappings, the careful listener will realize that these compositions bear little semblance to any Yes piece written prior to the time of this release (1976). This is a great recording that deserves a bit more recognition and is certainly able to stand on it's own merits. For those folks that like Starcastle, the Italian band Cherry Five might also prove enjoyable.

While I may be a tad bit biased because I am the niece of Gary Strater, the bassist, I wasn't even around when StarCastle was touring. I love the music however and while they may sound like Yes at times, all the music is ORIGINAL and not a rip off as others may call it. Just wait until the new album comes out, heard a cut of it the other day after the funeral of Gary Strater, my uncle, who just lost his battle with cancer. Go check out the StarCastle website at www.starcastlemusic.com

True fans know what's going on with StarCastle and LOVE the music and know that they weren't trying to imitate anyone. Can't wait for the new songs to come out as they are AMAZING.

I think of this album as progressive rock lite, for people who don't find accessible the complex sounds from the first generation of prog rock such as Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Genesis, Van Der Graaf Generator, Gentle Giant, etc. This is the first time I have heard a band that so unabashedly duplicates the Yes sound that to the uninitiated they might be mistaken for the real deal. Take for instance "Lady of the Lake"; the first track alone has direct references to songs like "Yours is no Disgrace", "Roundabout" and "Close to the Edge" with a snippet of ELP's "Tarkus" thrown in that I wonder how these guys weren't sued for plagiarism. It's a distracting listen when all you are doing is trying to figure out which songs they are ripping off from the aforementioned bands.

Having said that, there are aspects of this album I do like. There are moments when they aren't trying to ape Yes or ELP that their own personality starts to shine through such as the acoustic intro of "Elliptical Seasons" or the the harmony vocal chorus at the tempo change of "Sunfield". Starcastle has a very talented lineup, including singer Terry Luttrell previously from REO Speedwagon's debut album (I wish they would finally release that album on CD!). The problem is they don't really have an identity of their own because they are an American band that borrows too heavily from the already established British prog sound that there is no real innovation, just imitation. The only American band that successfully pulled it off was Kansas because they used the form but managed to incorporate a rustic New World sound that was uniquely their own (Utopia would have to be a close second). They also put the "rock" in prog rock with their twin lead guitar point-counterpoint.

Starcastle aren't quite the virtuosos as Yes and are a bit heavy-handed and don't elevate their songwriting like their predecessors or command the power that makes prog rock really soar, they just coast along in their cosmic groove (sadly there's nothing that sounds like Starship Trooper on here). Part of it I believe has to do with their Crosby, Stills & Nash-like vocal harmony which is the highlight of this album but is so light and airy (even more so than Jon Anderson) that it never gives the music any emotional weight. And lets face it, a lot of their titles and lyrics are a bit corny, a fact that shows these guys got into the game a little late (it's already 1976, disco is in full swing!). Great prog rock needs to be grandiose, adventurous and a bit bombastic but without turning off the listener with pointless overindulgence to be effective.

I must admit I have not heard any of their other albums so I give them three stars for a concerted effort. Any group who tries to play anything non-pop orientated gets my vote, but personally Starcastle ultimately comes off as a watered-down version of Yes that leaves me unsatisfied and wanting the real thing. Still if you like the prog sound with plenty of instrumental interplay and you can't get enough of Yes this one is worth having.

I was introduced to this Starcastle album by an older brother in 1985. I picked up the disc in 1995. I proudly group this disc with my classic progressive rock recordings. This recording is a true masterpiece.

The disc is a hybrid of all the best elements of many progressive groups from the 70's. A great album cover is an added bonus. The whole package. This is a MUST for any progressive rock fan.

Back in 1976 progressive rock was just past its zenith and slowly on its way out. The old order of Yes and ELP seemed to be on their last legs. The respective albums, "Relayer" and "Welcome Back My Friends" were not exactly fresh breaths of air. Genesis wasn't exactly shaking the earth with innovative music either. So who was left to fill the void? Along comes Starcastle with a sound remarkably like Fragile-era Yes, with guitar-bass rhythms that locked perfectly (think Squire's "Fish"), and with a vocal/harmony style not a little unlike the Anderson approach. Subsequently, these guys got creamed by critics and fans alike-and that's a shame, because this album rocks! It did what the above mentioned bands were failing to do at that time-namely make music that sounded fresh. Starcastle's ego-free debut doesn't sound like anything new, but it reaffirms what's good about progressive rock. The title track is long, but it moves. The opening guitar riff is sweet and the rhythm will leave you breathless for a moment-and this is only the first 15 seconds! Many of the songs are keyboard heavy that recall the Close To The Edge style of Yes, especially "Elliptical Seasons", "Forces" and the "Stargate" intro to the great "Sunfield". "To The Fire Wind" sports another great guitar intro that plays nicely with the keyboards. Lyrically the songs are basic sci-fi fare with some mystical elements thrown in; check out the album cover, and you basically have the songs in a nutshell. And there you have it. If Starcastle showed us anything, it was that sometimes you don't need to have your own idea to be inventive. The Yes band may have crafted a unique sound of their own, but since they proved unwilling to continue with it, who are they or others to disparage when another band proved that it could go farther with the same idea and yield better results? Still think Yes or ELP had a unique sound at this time period? Go buy the subsequent "Tormato" and "Works" albums and we'll talk.

I tend to ignore the Yes comparisons. While it is true that they are there, one could also say that any imitation is a form of flattery. The bottom line is that this band was a powerhouse
on stage. When I hear the garbage today that passes for talent, I tend not to worry about some band sounding like another. It's all cyclical people:Accept that and swallowing influences won't be quite so hard.

One should also remember that Starcastle was a product of the Plains, and I state that with the greatest amount of admiration, because when you grow up in the Plains states, you are literally surrounded by music from every direction. That was especially true during the early seventies and prior to that time period.

Music journalists sometimes have a tendency to take themselves just a tad to seriously, and most of them had a blast dismembering Prog Rock. Well, screw them! Was it really all that bad? Well, there was Emerson, Lake and Palmer with their butchered versions of Aaron Coplands music. That's pretty hard to forgive, but let's also remember that Yes had their fair share of embarrasing moments.

In all honesty, this album is a very solid piece of work. It's highly melodic and the musicianship is superb. I tend to view the Yes/Prog Rock influence in a more romanticist realm. Here you had a bunch of young men who were discovering themselves and their music. They were passionate about it and they followed their muse. This album, and the two that follwed, are a testament to that period in time. Influences are what eventually become a unique entity. Never forget what Leonard Bernstein stated in his last interview with Rolling Stone:"We all come from somewhere."

I liked Starcastle's music and I still do. I know that bassist Gary Strater is quite ill right now, and I hope that he's finding some peace and solace while battling pancreatic cancer. I often found great comfort in their music. Starcastle was a very good band and this album is a testimonial to their musical prowess. It's a piece of time and a damn beautiful one at that.

I know this is supposed to be a "clone" band, but when this was released, I was happy to hear music in the earlier Yes vein still being performed. Yes was about to enter their more accessible, comercial phase, so this was a welcome addition to my vinyl collection. This band was a collection of very talented, capable musicians, even if they somewhat copied their idols. The production is nowhere as elaborate as Yes (this would be a 5 star release if Edie Offord got his hands on it!) That, and the fact that Terry Luttrel wasn't even close to the majestic vocal capabilities of Jon Anderson, but does an adequate job here. I think it is quite innovative of the band to use lush harmonies to somewhat compensate for this lack. The songwriting is very good and special mention should be made of Gary Strader's (RIP) bass technique. This, to me, sounded the most similar to Yes' vintage sound (love that Rickenbakker!)

This still remains my favorite release by the band. Honestly, I didn't purchase any of their subsequent releases until the past few years, my bad! There is no lack of ability in their music, even if not the most original. Gotta give them credit for sticking with the music they held dear.

After owning this record on vinyl and then finaly getting this recording on CD, I was and I still am blown away by how well its recorded and engineered. Starcastle are a fantastic 70`s prog band from America, they feature great keyboards and fine (Steve Howe)stlye guitars, the drummer Stephen Tassler`s sense of counterpoint is fantastic and the singer Terry Luttrell has a great voice . I`ve listened to all of Starcastle`s cd`s and this my friends is the best they ever did . Its hard to explain what Starcastle actualy sounds like, the best way of putting it is kind of like the best aspects of Yes combined with Starcastles own thoughts and ideas. This is a super progressive band from the 70`s and anyone into progressive rock should not miss out on this recording as its so consistant, it defines what vintage prog is all about.