I guess I could say Bat II as well. That was the album I fell in love with first, and it has AFL on it, which was the first song of which I knew the whole title and artist, at six years old that was quite an achievement for me! The only negative thing for me on that album is that the woman on AFL is from my neighbouring city, with whom there is an intense rivalry!
Although it is nice to have someone from my region on such a successful song. Never mind, a guy from my city has been in a movie with Meat!
I find the songs more epic and have more grandeur and refinement about them. The songs, and Michael Whelan's artwork in the CD booklet seems to put the songs into another medium. They remind me of Tolkien in that they're long, over the top, groundbreaking, fantastical, have a unique style, and that people have to 'get' it to be able to understand and like them. It feels to me as if Steinman and Tolkien are both so poetic and imaginative in the language and words that they use, and it shines through constantly. A lot of my childhood was driving to the Lake District (a lovely countryside with natural beauty) with Bat II blasting through the speakers of the car as we drove along at 60-70mph through the English countryside and scenery. I really enjoyed those times! I actually looked forward more to the journey than getting to the destination!
