Morningstar - Venus (Reissue, Remastered) (1979/2018)

This album 'Venus' is their second effort, following on from their self titled album released in 1978, and it mixes up a combination of complex and lush arrangements with some more straight ahead type rockers. Album opener 'Angel' features some beautiful vocal harmonies on the chorus, while 'Everybody I Love You' is a rockier version of Starcastle for sure. Those vocals are Starcastle patented there can be no doubt. 'Rock And Roll Rodeo' too me sounded very similar to Rick Derringer's 'Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo' while 'Never Mean't To Be' ends up sounding like an epic style track, with the extended guitar solos at the end. 'Rosie' has a commercial flavour to it, veering very close to the material which Airborne pulled on their one off album the same year, ironically for the same label. The guys also do a cover of Spencer Davis Group's 'Gimme Some Lovin' which is so-so, while 'Hard Bargain Driver' sounds like a blues based rocker fit for a Kenworth on Route 66! The last song 'Let Me Dream' sees Morningstar moving back to a more suitable pomp climate, with multi-part vocal harmonies and keyboard/guitar interplay.