RAIN DANCES

A slight turning point in their career, this is the first to feature Richard Sinclair (of Caravan and Hatfield And The North) and the great Mel Collins (of King Crimson). It is a shift more definitively into Jazz Fusion, even if briefly, considering the Canterbury elements and the inclusion of Collins. I can admit that the first time I heard this, I wasn't sure exactly how I felt, but I knew it was something special, so I listened on. Truly it is today one of my favorite Camel albums.

And Canterbury quirk and lightness is thankfully added to the excellent "Metrognome", one of my all-time favorite Camel tunes. Its turn from Canterbury verse to UK Fusion is so exciting. I am in heaven anytime this comes on. Another heavenly body is the ethereal and heartfelt "Tell Me". Lead by Sinclair, this is one of the highlights of Prog getting sentimental and personal. Just beautiful. It's fitted wonderfully with the duet fluting of Latimer and Collins, then lead by Bardens' cloudy synth. Really do love this number.

"Highways of the Sun" is a fun, truly sunny Pop Rock track with some real sharp jazzy inflections (felt most in the rhythm section). Great melody, truly. And I really think it's so well executed. I feel this may appeal to fans of or perhaps Toto. I don't think this is what people usually picture when you say 'Progressive Pop'. The saving grace for Prog fans will be the spacy synth lead in the latter half. This is followed by another track that may require some 'different ears' and perspective, "Unevensong", but I find it a real highlight for sure. The melody is perhaps a tad weaker, I'll admit, but... In the least, the guitar lead and Andy Ward's drumming will likely pull you the f*ck in! Then around the 2 minute mark is this delicious synth from Bardens. Holy hell! The remainder of the song, I find, will be more than satisfactory. I have serious frisson (tell me you don't feel a whirlwind response on that bridge). So excellent.

Another track strangely reminiscent of Supertramp is the jazzy but funky "One of These Days I'll Get An Early Night". Very much in Camel style, an excellent composition, end of the day. Strongly features very welcomed saxa-ma-soloing from Mel followed by some soft shred from Andrew (don't forget how good he is, please haha).

"Elke" is an unsurprisingly ambient work featuring piano and Moog by Mr. Brian Eno. It's unmistakable. Now, I'm not one to gravitate toward Eno's ambient works (his first few albums are truly Art Rock masterworks), though I recognize their place and oft-greatness. And here it's a more than welcomed break in this album, regardless of how much I love it. Following this is a track that I often forget is as good as it is, "Skylines", an instrumental song featuring the best of what Camel has to offer. I feel it could have easily fit on the excellent Moonmadness. Epic and grandiose; again, totally in Camel style. Another featuring some of Bardens' best synth work, too.

And that brings us to the closer and title track, "Rain Dances", sharing in the theme from the opener (which, yes, I recognize I didn't mention until now), "First Light". 'Tis a fine closer [the horny synth stabs remind me of Runescape hahaha]. A close to a very fine album.

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