MIRAGE

This album seems to be Camel's highest rated on the site. I'm not going to dispute that. But when you compare this servicable release with other albums of the same year (1974) by the established prog bands, you will see why Camel is often relegated to the second tier of seventies progressive bands. While this album is not bad, it pales behind contemporary releases, like "Relayer", "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", "Red" and "Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends".

On the plus side, Camel became much more obviously progressive with this release. Only Freefall retains the psychedelic jamming that made up the majority of the debut album. But even this track had some syncopated blasts that indicated a more adventurous style.

Supertwister and Earthwise are both nice, light symphonic pieces, with the latter harkening back to King Crimson's Epitaph (in a good way - do I hear a Mellotron?).

Then there are the longer tracks. Lady Fantasy has some excellent sections, and flows nicely between them. But too much of this song sounds like an imitation of The Doors (do I hear a Farfisa?) for me to really enjoy it. The Nomrodel suite fares better. But I can do without the Procession, and the different sections just don't seem to flow well in transition. However, the slinky synth/bass jam for the last two minutes is simply superb.

I know many feel this is a classic, but just a very strong 3 stars from me.