THE SNOW GOOSE

Anyone who has ever heard Andy Latimer sing will probably agree that an entirely instrumental Camel album can only be a good thing. I mean no disrespect, of course. Latimer is a fine musician, certainly a terribly underated guitarist. Personally I prefer 'Mirage', and the brilliant 'Moonmadness' to this album (despite the vocals!) My problem with 'The Snowgoose' is hard to articulate. I can't really find fault with it, but it just doesn't bowl me over. Perahps I'm just listerning to it wrong, or maybe my expectations were too high, having heard all of their other early albums before this one. The production is a little weak, it doesn't lack clarity, just punch, but then again perhaps it doesn't require 'punch' There are hight points were Camel flow at their best 'Rhayader goes to town' is a fine example of Latimer & Co rocking in the thoughtful and melodic way their do best. The whole thing cries out to be listerned to in one hit, and not in chunks. 'Snow goose' is hailed as a classic and I respect that, and I respect Camel a lot, but it's not my fave Came album, simple as that.

To be honest I like a bit of darkeness in music; a bit of an edge. 'The Snow Goose' is very 'nice'. Its in no way unpleasant, but in terms of having a 'dark side'? I think 'The Snow Goose' by Camel makes 'Selling England by the pound' by Genesis look like 'Reign in blood' by Slayer.