CAMEL

Camel were the one good band I listened to during the worst period of my life when I was a disgusting prick. Despite the bad memories, they have transcended that period of blackness to become a group I will always go back and listen to and treasure. For those of you who haven't heard this album, or Camel, I will go so far as to say this is one of the best debuts in progressive rock history, or 70s rock history for that matter. I had not heard this one during the bad period, and during this new and improved period I much prefer their earlier to later work- mainly this album through Raindances. This, along with Mirage and Raindances, could be my favourite Camel album. It's a bit rougher than some of the later ones, and this works to the benefit not the detriment of the record. Already some of the elements that made Camel are in place- a strong Pink Floyd influence at times, very melodic passages of dreamy symphonic sound pictures, clear almost translucent vocals in Caravan/Floyd mold (you may know that Richard Sinclair of Caravan made two albums with Camel), and some ferocious fiery guitar work from Andy Latimer. There are some differences here too, a bit of a Santana/Latin feel to the opening track, "Seperation" is quite different than anything else on the record with a sharp change and juxtaposition of styles, perhaps to accentuate a song about a break up/love lost. "Mystic Queen" is a classic Camel ballad, very ethereal and haunting. Overall, "Mystic Queen" is the most obviously like Camel song and the rest of the album utilizes more guitar than usual, or at least more outfront wailing. These guys all had a lot of experience prior to forming the group, and that shows here less than one might expect. There is a rawness that really does sound like a brand new band with something a little different up their sleeve. There isn't the laziness of I Can See Your House From Here or Breathless- both very good albums, but they wouldn't get the full five star mark from me like this one, Mirage, Moonmadness, Raindances. The production is quite good on this album, but under rather than overproduced. It sounds like Camel basically recorded jams and overlaid vocals on them, then fixed it up so it worked brilliantly. "Never Let Go" is a particularly impressive number, and one of the high points of the band's career. This album is just splendid, not one note I would change and it's very refreshing to hear music with so much feeling in it. If you have never heard Camel, you could be very happy if you start here at the very beginning. I missed the chance to see them on their farewell tour, but hopefully Camel's music will live on every time I play their records. One last thing to say is that Camel should not be termed a "Second Division" prog band- they were every bit as important and influential if not more than a band like Yes. I actually prefer Andy Latimer to also great Steve Howe, but I love both. I just find it unfair that some people claim Camel to be a group who "jumped onto the progressive band wagon" this could not be further than the truth, and this album speaks volumes about Camel's place as a first and foremost classic progressive band