Oldish Psych and Prog

From ProgressiveRock :
Hailing from Champaign-Urbana in Illinois, Starcastle were another rare US Prog band that achieved some recognition in the mid-seventies. After trudging the bar circuits under various names, the core of guitarist Steve Hagler, drummer Steve Tassler, keyboard player Herb Schildt, and bassist Gary Strater were joined by second guitarist Matthew Steward and vocalist Terry Luttrell, previously in another Champaign band, REO Speedwagon. In 1974, they changed their name to Starcastle and signed to Epic records. To say that British Prog bands influenced them was, of course, a huge understatement. "Lady of The Lake" revealed an easy-going Yes approach, with an emphasis on the vocal harmonies. "Elliptical Seasons" had a little more Midwest grit to it, while "Stargate" went symphonic. But if two things stuck out immediately about their music, it would be Luttrell’s voice and lyrics. Luttrell had a high tenor that unfortunately lacked any visceral punch, most evident on "Sunfield". And while Anderson’s lyrics were more concerned with cadence, Starcastle unfortunately seemed like high school poetry. Musically, the band was every playful, with rich arrangements that made the best of their big sound, as on "To The Fire Wind". Although the Yes "clone" analogy ran tired, their accessible approach probably owed as much to another Illinios band, Styx. The album was received well enough and Starcastle opened for some of their Prog big brethren, including Jethro Tull and Rush on their subsequent tours. Suitably impressed, Epic sent the band off to Montreal with Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker to record their next album. The combination was uneasy, but there’s little argument that Fountains of Light, released in early 1977, would be their definitive statement. A third album, also produced by Baker was released later the same year, but with the emphasis toward a "hit", it was more of same old stuff. A final album Real to Reel appeared in 1978, but the band was subsequently dropped. Rehearsals began with a new singer after Luttrell’s departure, but without label interest the band folded in 1980. Oddly enough, the Drama-era Yes would take a cue from Starcastle!