MOONMADNESS

Camel's sound had already been consolidated with "Mirage" (1974) and "Snow Goose" (1975): the perfectionist preciousness in the arrangements, the prevalence of the sound of guitars and keyboards, complex instrumental sequences and great epic moments without neglecting the notorious influences of jazz, madrigal atmospheres and structures that allowed the brilliance of each of its musicians.

There is something of the classic Canterbury sound on "Moonmadness", but on this album the band perfects even more their own stamp already quite accentuated on "The Snow Goose", this time moving away from the composition of a conceptual album. This is how we find the subtle introduction with some medieval touches marked by "Aristillus" and then one of Camel's classics; "Song Within a Song", a superlative progressive piece, which takes us by the hand through a gently rhythmic first section sung by Latimer that leads to an instrumental sequence that allows the sober display of its musicians, something very typical in Camel, achieving the virtuosity of each one of them along with the complexity of the arrangements and harmonies full of exquisite passages that seems extremely simple at first glance,. Really, a song within a song.

"Chord Change" is one of those pieces that I reallyenjoy. Delicate prog sound but with the same intricate melodies that they have cultivated over time, an instrumental theme that strolls with ductility through different sections that accumulate a particular energy, mixing guitar, keyboards and choir accompaniment with the superb drum work of Andy Ward, to which is added a floating solo by Latimer.

Then "Spirit of the Water" appears in all its splendor, a beautiful, sweet and inspired ballad led by Bardens on piano and Latimer on flute, with dreamy poetic lyrics, a perfect pause before the kick of "Another Night" which has a powerful entrance that lands on Latimer's voice amid constant syncopations and constant rhythm changes, generating sound layers that are interspersed and repeated in seven minutes, although playing with the leading role of the different instruments.

A delicate flute intro tells us that "Air Born" has begun, a much more relaxed and rhythmic song than the previous ones, but no less valuable. Camel shows us that facet in which with much simpler elements and structures (at least in the first minutes) is capable of generating deep atmospheres and emotions.

The instrumental "Lunar Sea" closes the original version of the album, almost ten minutes of changing rhythmic sections that border on jazz, with superb performance moments on guitar and keyboards, one of those songs that despite its length, does not decline in any time and keeps you attentive and surprised at each detail that is happening.

Decca reissue includes the single version of "Another Night" and three live songs, including "Preparation / Dunkirk" from "The Snow Goose". However, what this version is worth having for, is the demo of "Spirit of the Water" on piano, as if Bardens were playing alone in his living room. Really moving.

If you like perfectionist progressive and symphonic rock, that gives you high levels of emotion and clean and inspiral sound, maybe this is the ideal album to start enkoying Camel.

Share this CAMEL review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to progadicto
• Report this review (#2735786)
• Buy CAMEL music online with PA partners
• Show all CAMEL MP3/Stream
• Go to CAMEL page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Moonmadness page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for CAMEL related discussions