CUNNING STUNTS

Yes, Caravan changed their style even more on this album. It's more symphonic and less psychedelic, less Canterbury - and that's why I like it so much! I understand that fans got disappointed. Fans usually don't like when their idols change their style. But you can have a different point of view. Sometimes the change is to the better. I like Caravans earlier albums a lot too but as I am most fond of symphonic prog I think this is an excellent album. The Wedgewood compositions are the weakest I think, but they are still good, and his voice works quite well too. "Lover" might seem very soft and even cheesy to a Caravan fan, but I simply find it a very beatiful song with sensible playing from the band. Pye Hastings wrote only two numbers for this album. "No backstage pass" has a very nice progression and once again very sensible and tasteful playing from the band. "Stuck in a hole" is the catchiest song of all Caravan's songs, I think. Very nice upbeat and joyful keyboard melody/solo. The bonus track on the cd-issue, "Keeping back my love" is another very typical Hastings composition, uptempo and brisk! Dave Sinclairs "The show of our lives" opens the album smoothly and nice. I suppose Wedgewood sings lead here, anyway the singer makes it very good and the song builds up to a nice grande final. Sinclairs long piece "The Dabsong Conshirtoe" is actually five pieces stacked at each other, but the links are to my ear very smooth. And each piece is great on it's own. Most albums have their weak points. I find no one on this.