NUDE

After two albums that indicated a clear leaning toward more commercial (less interesting) musical direction, the start of this album might make you believe that this album continues that trend. And sure, City Life and the brief Nude are bland and poppy, but when the smoky sound of Drafted begins, it marks a change in attitude.

Aside from those first two tracks, the rest of the album is good. There is quite a bit of that light symphonic (and sure, maybe new-agey) symphonic fusion that was a staple in the heyday of the band, and also forays into other territories. Beached is a pure fusion track, more aggressive than we are accustomed to hearing from Camel, in some ways similar to Brand X. And while were talking aggression, Captured brings a heavy ELP-like riff with un-Camel-ish energy.

I'd give this album 3.5 stars, that I feel must be rounded down. Let's hope they don't follow it up with an album of truly bland pop singles under a very unimaginative title... Ooops!!!