NUDE

One of the big problems i encounter in 80's prog albums is that often more effort ends up being put into making the production sound 'modern' than gets put into writing the music. This is a big problem parts of this 80's highlight from Camel. The keyboards often over- power and in some cased ruin certain song, with such a strong lyric and concept it is a shame for the new keyboard sounds to be given so much space. This however once you get into the record can easily be overlooked and accepted with a lot of strong performances and songs.

Nude is a record that displays a lot of eclectic music with plenty of side 2 given to New Age keyboard based themes lasting 2 minutes each, Homecoming is a really drab moment for the album featuring a repetitive sampled brass pattern designed to give the impression of celebration, a true waste of 2 minutes from a Camel album.

There are still songs on this featuring the classic Camel sound, Lies from Side 2 is the most guitar prominent on the album with some fantastic Organ and guitar soloing throughout and one of the strongest lyrics and chord sequences. Docks/Breached medley piece takes up most of side 1 and is the most Symphonic on the album featuring lots of tempo changes and lead guitar playing from Latimer which makes is for me the highlight of the whole album being very reminiscent of the Moonmadness record.

Side 1 features mostly prog rock based music with City Life,Nude and drafted showcasing balladesque keyboard pieces and then the medley piece Docks/Breached showcasing classic prog style. Landscapes is the first predominantly New Age style song on the album and closes Side 1 setting up the New Age music which fills most of Side 2.

In part this album seems to be trying to bring back some of the style followed in The Snow Goose, with a recurring theme from the start of City Life brought back several times in Side One and most tracks from the album segueing into each other.

Overall this album is a very satisfying and enjoyable listen and can stand-up to albums from the classic 70's era unlike a lot of their material from this time. An essential album for the Camel fan and collector, but overall i find it difficult to it more than 3 stars.