THE SINGLE FACTOR

OK, I know this is considered by many as an awful album, but I can't share this view and this is why: For starters, let's make clear that it was a very difficult period for Andy Latimer since Andy Ward was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (on the inner sleeve it reads that he couldn't play on this album following a serious injury on his arm and in a sense it was true since he attempted to cut his wrists to committ suicide). He was all for disbanding Camel, but there was an obligation to deliver an album in 1982. Aside that, as Latimer himself has stated, he was "coerced and sweet-talked into doing it". Now, let's have a look at the music. Granted, the album begins with a poppy one-two, namely No Easy Answer and You Are the One, an obvious sign that Camel surrendered to the demands of the decade also probably the label's pressure (the title of the album is a nod to this). Yet, it's not your every-day tasteless pop and I won't say no to any good song that comes from any genre and I still enjoy those tracks. Heroes comes next to show that Camel aren't done yet with their prog roots (though, admittedly, it has nothing to do with the glorious past). The orchestration widens on this track to fit its needs and it marks the beginning of a good streak of songs. It is also the first song where Susan Hoover penned the lyrics - many would follow. Selva is the first instrumental piece with the guitar as the protagonist and there is some connection with the past. Lullabye can't be taken as a song and what comes next is a surprise. An old friend is here, namely Peter Bardens, and Sasquatch takes a more original-Camel (post Rain Dances era) turn. How much have I missed this guy! The great drummer Simon Phillips is also recruited for this tune and this great company made up the record's top song. Manic might be Camel's heaviest song, but it still features a great prog twist halfway the song. After that, Camel revisit the pop ground they explored on the first two tracks, only this time it ruins the flow, therefore it doesn't sound as interesting to me. A Heart's Desire/End Peace are two (one actually) peaceful tracks that close the album and I can't get worked up by them.

The Single Factor clearly falls short of their earlier and later releases, but I still keep revisiting it every now and then to relish its music.