DUST AND DREAMS

Though this is the best album from the "resurrected" Camel era (with the possible exeption of "A Nod and a Wnk", which I haven't heard), it accomplishes little besides re-establishing them as an actual prog band. Like many concept albums (including "The Snow Goose", arguably Camel's towering achievement), it's basically a lengthy suite divided into short segments; and, like most such albums (though unlike "The Snow Goose"), it consists of weak, mediocre material and ends up boring and unengaging.Stylistically, it's one of the most symphonic-sounding albums in the Camel catalogue, based around keyboards rather than drums and guitars for the majority of the album, although the "rock" moments are, of course, also present, for example in "Mother Road" (which is very reminiscent of "Stationary Traveller"). Some tracks do hint at the intricate side of classic Camel, such as "Hopeless Anger" , where Latimer attempts some sinister riffing to great effect, but on the whole, the music doesn't have much to offer. Though I guess that if you like to simply listen to music without analysing it, this album may be quite enjoyable.