I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE

Doug Ferguson gone, Peter Bardens now gone, maybe it made sense that the original title of the album was Endangered Species - fans and critics alike were not too confident about the future of the band. But Andy Latimer had other plans in mind. Colin Bass took over the bass and he would remain in the band until the very end. In the place of Peter Bardens it took two keybordists to fill the gap, Kit Watkins ( Happy the Man) and Jan Schelhaas (National Head Band, Caravan). Special mention should be made of Phil Collins who played percussion. All well and good, but what about the music itself? Well, personally I like it a lot, though it has its ups and downs (and also a pinnacle). The opener Wait is fast-paced and full of energy and it showcases the abilities of the two newly arrived keyboard players which is the song's highlight. On Your Love Is Stranger Than Mine Collin Bass takes over the vocals for the first time and he's doing more than fine. It's an upbeat tune, pretty much in the vein of the opener and it was released as a single (with Neon Magic as the B side). Mel Collins on the saxophone makes an appearance on this track, too. From now on there is a significant leap in terms of quality. The four subsequent tracks with their tremendous melodies is a good reason why this album is a favourite of mine. I'd like to make a special mention of Hymn to Her which kicks off with a stunning melody, then goes on like a soulful ballad and suddenly the song takes such a prog twist that is hard to believe that it gelled so naturally. Every time I listen to it, though I know the song note-for-note, I can't believe my ears. No one else but Camel can do that. After this formidable quartet, the album takes a slight dip with the aforementioned Neon Magic (there is a superb instrumental section halfway the song) and a sharp one with Remote Romance (amazingly, it was this song that was included in the collection Chameleon - The Best of Camel, the album that got me into their music and all I can think is why this one!). But the best was saved for the last and not only for this album but it is a highlight in Camel's output and one the best songs in music in general. I'm talking about Ice and we should thank our lucky stars that Andy Latimer was freezing cold in the Netherlands some time when he was on tour and inspiration was still around when it was studio time when the solo was recorded in a single take. There isn't much to say: if you don't like this one, then probably you will never get into Camel - and maybe prog music.

I have a really hard time to decide if three or four represent better the quality of this album (3,5 would be more accurate), but the bottom line is to listen to Ice. Don't miss out on this tremedous song.