MOONMADNESS

This was the album where it all came together for Camel. I can't bring myself to give anything they did 5 stars, but this is certainly deserving of a solid 4. The songs and the playing truly flow out of the grooves. What was so sweet about Latimer and Barden's playing here is that when they soloed it never really felt like it. The soloing has a lyrical and thematic quality to it that isn't just merely playing over the changes. The notes have context within the piece itself. They've taken this framework that was fleshed out on Snowgoose and transfered it to a series of individual songs that while not a concept 'per se' creates a wholeness and a mood that flows throughout the entire LP. Check out Song Within a Song and Chord Change that both exemplify this tasteful playing where there doesn't seem to be a wasted note.