Review Summary: A good, but somewhat disappointing album from an American Prog-Rock band who sound like a Yes tribute band.
Starcastle's 2nd album FOUNTAINS OF LIGHT showed great promise, but sadly falls short of true greatness. This has always disappointed me because I truly wanted this to be a better album than it is. I thought maybe in time I would have some revelation about that would allow me to see it through different eyes.
The album was recorded at Le Studio at Morin Heights in Quebec with producer Roy Thomas Baker, who was also working with Queen around this time. Baker reportedly had difficulty understanding Starcastle's vocal style, which led them to question whether he was an aptly chosen producer. In the end, the band felt that the album was exactly what they'd envisioned.
Whenever I cue this album up, I never failed to be dazzled by the first track, "Fountains". It's an 11 minute epic full of pulsating synths, bold and punchy bass playing, sliding guitar fills and vocal harmonies that are immediately evocative of classic Yes. This is no small feat given the musicianship required to play any song from the Yes catalog, let alone compose one in their style. Many have criticized Starcastle's originality for this fact. From me, it comes only as the highest compliment. What they accomplished within this one song is everything I love about Starcastle as well as why I'd hoped for so much more.
The melodious "Dawning Of The Day" at first seems like it will be another fine song, but gradually wears my affections away with it's somewhat twee vibe. As much as I love Jon Anderson, it reminds me of something he could have written for some J. R. R. Tolkien related movie. I'm sure there are plenty of people who really adore this song, but I can only tolerate this sort of preciousness in doses. "Diamond Song (Deep Is The Light)" was chosen as a single, but failed to chart.
From here, the songs gradually diminish in quality, although the musicianship remains impressive. Ultimately, it's the quality of the ideas I'm judging, so FOUNTAINS OF LIGHT comes up a bit short for me. Still, I enjoy the novelty of fooling my friends with by cuing up "Fountains" and telling them it is a rare, unreleased Yes demo. I'd recommend sampling this album if only for that song.
