CHAMELEON (BEST OF CAMEL)

Camel's first compilation effort. I guess it is a bit useless to produce such a compil. Camel delivered concept albums most of the time (at least during their most creative period), so trying to compile their work is quite difficult. On top of that, in 1981 a band like Camel was completely out of tune.

The opener "Echoes" is the best song from "Breathless". Two Rhayader pieces from the "Snow Goose" follow ("Goes to Town" being a very good one). Then, finally, a true Camel classic with "Song Within a Song" from "Moonmadness". Full of the harmony and beauty that Camel could developed in their early work.

"Remote Romance" is an unreleased track as far as I know (and should have definitely remained as such). It is as bad as ELO will produce in those days. Awful, really.

Three tracks from "Nude" of which the title track that lasts for twenty-two seconds (what is the use of such track on a compilation) ? "Drafted" and "Lies" are ones of the few good songs on this album which was averagely poor.

"Supertwister" is one of the few tracks from their early work (unfortunately it is not their greatest one). "Unevensong" is a good song from "Raindances". "Rainbow's End" closes this compil effort as it closes "Breathless" : poorly.

To summarize, it is a pretty strange compilation of Camel. Very few highlights from either their early work (up to "Moonmadness ") or their later one (no "Ice"). I am not sure there is a need for such effort (actually, I know there isn't). Do not buy this one. Stick to their best studio albums (their remastered editions sell for cheap, so...). Two stars.

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