PRESSURE POINTS

After the dreadful Single Factor studio disc Camel released this live album. Although not even close in terms of song list and performance to the earlier A Live Record, Pressure Points is actually far superior to much of what the group released during the 80´s. In fact, Latimer and co smartly chose some of their best songs of the period and did a good show. Although Chris Rainbow (of Alan Parsons Project) is here, they avoided most of the hideous commercial tracks of The Single Factor (only Sasquach, a good instrumental track, is included). The record is well balanced between instrumental and vocal songs, with all the band showing far more expertise in their instruments and arrangements than on the studio LPs of the time.

Not an essential in any way, but still good enough to keep you enjoying the music from start to finish. The musicianship is, as always, superb and the song sequence is very well thought. 3 solid stars..