Sunblind Lion - Above & Beyond. 1978 USA

We recently wrote about Sunblind Lion's debut Observer, and noted how it was an excellent blend of progressive and commercial rock. By 1978 the overall music world, especially here in the States, had moved away from prog. And so Sunblind Lion did as well, as to stay relevant in the game, and keep their slim hopes alive that they may hit the big time. Above & Beyond is the end result. The first 8 tracks here are clearly geared for FM radio play, though nothing really stands out, which might explain why Sunblind Lion never got past the regional stage. Of course, like many bands with a progressive rock heritage, Sunblind Lion couldn't resist throwing a bone to its dedicated fan base, and ended with the two part 'King and His Parliament', the obvious highlight of the album for folks like me. But it's too little, too late. Borderline 3 stars but gets the lower mark because they could have done much better. They traded art for dollars. A devil's deal.