CRYSTAL BALL: Secrets

Produced by Michael Borman

Released: 2007

A few days ago I reviewed Step On It by Boss and gave it a bit of a caning, but after subsequently listening to this album it is quite possible that, as ordinary as Boss was, the only real impediment to a lengthy third-tier career was their location. Had they perhaps been from Germany (where, from memory, Step On It still has something of a cult following) or, like Crystal Ball, from neighbouring Switzerland, they could be up to their tenth or eleventh release by now.

For some reason, Crystal Ball has made it to album number six with Secrets, despite not having a single good, original idea (I've heard their last couple also, and they are much the same). The very fact they have done this must say more about the market in their part of the world than it does about the band itself, because a group as vapid and uninteresting as this one would have self-destructed long ago in Australia.

Secrets really has virtually nothing to recommend it. From the attempt at emulating Gamma Ray on the opening song across the spectrum of try-hard arena metal and boring stabs at melodic heavy rock, this is merely one mediocre track after the next, stretching on and on for what seems to be an interminable period of time. It isn't that the songs are badly played or that Crystal Ball is in anyway musically inept, they simply have seemingly no desire to make music that is inspired or remarkable in any form. True, "I Will Drag You Down" is actually not too bad and the closing song "Face the Truth" is also rather worthwhile, but the other 45 minutes or so are just a total waste.

Crystal Ball evidently have a fanbase and a sizeable enough one for them to be able to make their lazy efforts at songs worthwhile, but surely their only real saving grace is being so close to the fourth largest music market in the world.

1. Moondance


2. I Will Drag You Down


3. Minor Key


4. It's Not Love


5. Time Has Come


6. Secrets


7. Wings of Fire


8. Dreaming of You


9. Destiny


10. I'll Be Waiting


11. Face the Truth

Rating: 20%