CAMEL

Camel's debut is the first of four very charming symphonic prog albums. The accent is on concise song writing with an occasional organ or guitar solo. The vocals aren't really Camel's best talent here but as they are rather sparse and put to the background they don't bother too much. The music is rather different from the ensuing albums. I'd say there's still a perceptible influence from the Canterbury scene, resulting in a very dry, mellow and woolly sound.

Throughout the album there are touches of the melancholic and melodic sound that this band got famous for. Especially Slow Yourself Down and Never Let Go are very charming. For Opeth fans, Never Let Go is the song that Akerfeldt nicked the opening bars from for his ballad Benighted on the album Still Life.

Camel still had to grow up, but fans shouldn't miss this promising debut. 3.5 stars.