MIRAGE

Although the core of Camel started in the early 60s, of the three, Camel didn't really get their first album out until 1973, and then their first classic "Mirage" is from 1974. With the benefit of 1974 they had all the great Prog albums of 70-74 to reflect upon. What I love about Camel is they sort of sound like a psychedelic band, but with mid 70s sensibilities. As if, real Yes/KC style Prog had never happened, but "prog rock" instead was a pushing and refinement psychedelic music.

This is actually very admirable in how they decided to expand a sound that was already so developed, and in turn developed it enough to carve out their own territory. Which is what makes all great bands great, when they actually develop their own sound that people recognize and attribute to them.

I bring up the Genesis comparison because of all the really big Prog bands, lets call them the Big Ten, Camel is possibly most comparable to Genesis, not so much in "sound" but in how "lite" they can come across. Lets call it Non-Canterbury Lite! (since the real lite bands are from Canterbury) Of the Big Six, Genesis is probably the most Non-Canterbury Lite band, not relying on heavy guitars and riffs very often. Camel also more often focus on creating melodic (often instrumental) songs that are clearly focused on the tune/song rather than tricky musical passages

Of course I think Camel deserve to be credited in the big leagues, because their sound is unique enough, and does warrant the esteemed status of "such and such new band sounds like "Camel".

Anyway, all that said. Mirage is my personal favorite. It might not be as ambitious as Snow Goose, but its just a perfect album, with incredibly well written songs. The album brings out the best in everything we like in psychedelic and Progressive Rock music.

I'm glad members of Prog Archives "get it", as Mirage is highly regarded here, I just wish the rest of the world got it too.