CAMEL

A modest debut from one of the prog's more well-known groups. Released in 1973, this was before Camel had fully developed their symphonic approach that would forge classics like "Mirage" and "Moonmadness". More straightforward rock oriented than their later works, they still manage to chisel out a very solid album.

The album contains a mix of jazz, hard rock, and a well-balanced interplay between acoustic and electric sounds. Rockers like "Slow Yourself Down", "Separation" and the instrumental "Arubaluba" show that Camel could have gone into mainstream rock music had they felt to, but each of these songs still retains a degree of sophistication that keeps them firmly in the realm of prog. "Slow Yourself Down" sounds as though it could have been a (considerably) more mellow Deep Purple cut, with guitar and organ soloing that shreds like "Burn" or "Highway Star".

There is more progressive material on the album, too, and that is where the most magical moments lie. "Mystic Queen" and "Never Let Go" are both ballads that feature excellent acoustic and electric guitar work from Andrew Latimer, as well as flute in the latter. "Six Ate" is a jazz rock instrumental not unlike something off of Caravan's "In The Land of Grey And Pink". Both "Never Let Go" is the clear highlight track on the album, featuring one of Latimer's most aggressively passionate guitar solos. Altogether, the album is very consistent and there aren't any weak tracks.

While Camel is sometimes criticized as a sort of "insomnia antidote" of a band, the refreshing rock energy on this debut album of there's certainly stands out. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't keen on Camel's more symphonic records but would still like to give the band a try, and is a must-hear for those who are already fans of the band's other 70's works.