They released four studio albums between 1976 and 1978. Their first two albums for Epic, "Starcastle" and "Fountains of Light", are archetypes of the symphonic sound; utopian, grand, sweeping, intricate, complex and melodic. On later albums, the band changes its orientation and goes towards a direct soft rock with some Yes-like vocals.
Elliptical Seasons
Starcastle Lyrics
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Winters the silence; Autumns a blanketing of rain
Springs by the comet, greening a galaxy light-wise
Eye of the shadow: weathers a hollowing of eyes
Driftwood on a foreign shore
Time after time, chasing the shadow
Watching it fly through the open door
Cast into space, who could ask for more?
The lyrics of Starcastle's song "Elliptical Seasons" are an amalgamation of different elements of nature such as summers, winters, autumns, and springs. The "Eye of the Shadow" implies the darkness and hints towards the mysterious existence of the universe. The lyrics of the first two lines depict the physical characteristics of the seasons, where summers are portrayed as a domain of physical activity, winters as a period of silence, and autumns are depicted as a time of rain. Springs are described as a galaxy greener through its comet, bringing along with it lights.
The lyrics, though often seemingly random, are essentially metaphors describing the fleeting moments of every season. The mention of the "Hollowing of eyes" highlights the emptiness of those moments; how they come and go, leaving behind the same void. The crux of the song lies in the last two lines, where the singer chases a shadow and watches it fly through the open door. This infers the impermanence in every aspect of life, emphasizing that everything eventually passes away; be it the vibrant colors of spring or the white blanket of snow that covers the ground in winter.
Line by Line Meaning
Eye of the shadow: Summers a physical domain
The summer represents a tangible world, a reality that can be physically experienced and observed.
Winters the silence; Autumns a blanketing of rain
Winter brings stillness and a peaceful quiet while autumn is characterized by an overwhelming presence of rain that covers everything.
Springs by the comet, greening a galaxy light-wise
Spring is marked by the arrival of a comet that brings luminosity to the galaxy and new life through blooming vegetation.
Eye of the shadow: weathers a hollowing of eyes
Despite what the shadow's eye witnesses, the constant changes in weather affect and tire one's eyes and one's perception of reality.
Driftwood on a foreign shore
Something thrown off course and carried by the tides to an unfamiliar place.
Time after time, chasing the shadow
Repetitive attempts to pursue something illusionary and hard to grasp; an ongoing search for an unattainable goal.
Watching it fly through the open door
Watching the shadow move on or disappear through an open door that is, perhaps, a symbol of opportunity or change.
Line after line springs by the comet
One development or event after another, all spurred by the kinetic energy that a comet brings to the galaxy.
Cast into space, who could ask for more?
A sense of fulfillment and wonder at the endless possibilities that arise from the potential of the universe.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GARY STRATER, HERBERT SCHILDT, MATTHEW STEWART, STEPHEN HAGLER, STEPHEN TASSLER, TERRY LUTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Weall
Eye of the shadow: Summers a physical domain;
Winters the silence; Autumns a blanketing of rain;
Springs by the comet, greening a galaxy light-wise;
Eye of the shadow: Weathers a hollowing of eyes ...
Driftwood on a foreign shore ...Time after time, chasing the shadow,
Watching it fly through the open door ...
Line after line springs by the comet:
Cast into space, who could ask for more ?
Beautiful song !
johnny zell
Eye of the shadow: Summers a physical domain
Winters the silence; Autumns a blanketing of rain
Springs by the comet, greening a galaxy light-wise
Eye of the shadow: weathers a hollowing of eyes
Driftwood on a foreign shore
Time after time, chasing the shadow
Watching it fly through the open door
Line after line springs by the comet
Cast into space, who could ask for more?
Andrew Kenney
AS a lifetime Yes fan, I have to say that Starcastle is so good that their stuff makes me cry.
Dejael Long
I was a friend of Starcastle's bass guitarist, Gary Strater. Yes, I know that Starcastle was the best YES-soundalike band ever, but they also had a unique Prog Rock sound which made their music their own. One of the greatest Prog bands ever.
Jpeterson7
I saw them twice at Beginnings in Schaumburg IL in the late 70's. Blew me away. Now the place is a DMV, heaven forbid. Loved Gary.
Mikey Maff
Such a great band…in the 70's -The American YES
Mikey Maff
@Michael Clark VERY True
Michael Clark
Not true
Mike Sorr Bass Guitar
Gary Strater was a major hero of mine. He had the best bass tone and just made his instrument sing. In my opinion he is one of the most under rated bassists in rock history. I always talk him up on Talkbass.com to try to get him some recognition.
Michael Smith
Listening to this whole album for the first time in a few yeasr on a nice set of headphones, the production is fantastic! Midwest '70s Prog at the highest level!
Harry Satchel
Talk him up, man. He's a great bass player. Unsung.
vinyl man
He really had great tone and was melodic wasn't he? Rest in peace man.