I was 10 or 11 when I acquired this album. I'd heard "Carry On" on the radio and liked it and I guess someone gave it to me as a gift. What luck! This is still one of the best albums that I've ever heard.

Maybe it's only natural that I liked it because it helped define music to me as an 11-year-old. This record spoiled me for thought-provoking lyrics and busy compositions. I would not rest until I'd followed Kansas, Queen, Yes, Rush and Dream Theater. Maybe this is where it began.

I mean "Cheyenne Anthem" alone was enough to make an impressionable listener rethink what a rock song was supposed to sound like. Kansas' approach to music was so symphonic. Kiss just didn't sound the same after hearing this record. And the song meant something, too.

And "What's on My Mind" is just so straight ahead rock-n-roll. Obviously, these guys could do whatever they wanted with equal mastery.

To hear "Miracles Out of Nowhere" beforing hearing Bach himself was just incredible. I thought Kansas invented the fugue for a long time. When I finally did hear Bach, I though Kansas was even cooler for reaching back that far to build a rock song.

The rest of this album is just as good. It's so solid. I used to listen to "Magnum Opus" and try to imagine what story the song could have been about. This probably isn't the greatest review because I practically grew up with this album. But what can I say?

Maybe Metropolis pt 2 is the better album.

But listen to the first three songs to become a Dream Theater fan. They are so on and do one great song in each of their major styles. I've asked that "Pull Me Under" be played at my funeral. If I don't get up, I'm really dead.

DT are so talented and weave a web that must be a real challenge to play. Dizzying sometimes.

The only thing that's missing is a producer that isn't so mesmerized by the talent that he doesn't know when to yell, "Cut!" Once you hear what they can do, you'll never be satisfied with what actually makes it to the final cut. You know they can do better. A great beginning to a great career but at times, just at times, kind of frustrating.

They are as good as Rush and or Yes. Now if they could just hook up with Eddie Offord or Terry Brown and get tight, cars would be thumping through your neighborhoods playing prog rock instead of rap.

Alas. Still, this album was a very promising and exciting start. Yeah, Metro 2 is better, though. Wish I had a copy.

Yeah, this is the Yes album that most Yes fans hate. It isn't really Yes. Jon Anderson doesn't sing on it. Rick Wakeman is gone. And I love those guys, but for all their talent, the last thing Yes needs is 5 guys who all play lead. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. All the earlier albums have their moments. Drama is all moment.

Without Jon in charge and with a keyboard player who's heard of chords. The talent of Steve Howe and Chris Squire steps to the front and makes this a rock band. Heavy, heavy stuff here. This album is relentless - the very opposite of "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge".

And yet, Trevor Horn does a passable Jon Anderson imitation. His production skills are incredible. 4 years later it was his expertise in production that would make Yes a household word.

Still, it's good and quirky. "Does it Really Happen" is just classic groovy Yes with balls. "Run Through the Light" is unforgettably unique. The riffs and runs with the soaring vocals just rule. This is, start to finish, the best album, that any band called Yes ever made.

Once upon a time, I was a happy young corporate rocker. I had every album by Foreigner and Journey. Then some warlock lured me into Bauhaus with a song called "She's in Parties". Pretty soon I was alone with this album playing over and over, all night long.

It was an acquired taste for me but I don't know what took me so long. Younger ears will probably "get it" quicker. Especially as this stuffs been ripped off by anyone who's ever worn whiteface and a trenchcoat.

But you can throw all that away. "Double Dare" will clear the air and take us all back to the Neanderthals that we really are. Then the title cut will tell the world how we feel about them. "Spy in the Cab" is just different. Like all their songs, you just listen to it and wonder how they ever came up with something so simple and mesmerizing.

"St. Vitus Dance" is just what it says it is. I have no idea what "Stigmata Martyr" is. Is it love or hate? Good or evil? That shrieking guitar is just beautiful like watching glass break.

If you've never understood Goth, this is your record. No statement of defiance and despair has ever been clearer. "Because it is bitter and because it is my heart."

"This is Church
This is State
Rock and Roll
Amazing Grace"

I can't decide which of their first three I like the best. This album is put together so well. The mix isn't quite as good as later works but from start to finish it might be the best overall ride.

I mean, you get to start with "In the New Age", a fitting overture to this masterpiece. "Goldilox", let's get the radio single over with - great song though. "Power of Love"/"Wonder" - those songs are just brutal back to back - so much energy and chops at the same time. Just incredible. Breathe. "Sometimes". And then they're all over you again with "King"/"What is This?"

If you've got anything left by the time "Shot of Love" comes up, you're a stronger man than I. Just a great time and a fun record.

These guys are good. They're not quite Rush or Yes good but they're sound is a little more modern and they can really put those hooks together. Beatles on steroids.