THE SNOW GOOSE

Inspired by the success of their previous concept pieces, Camel approached their third studio album in a way that is very much in line with some of the greats of the progressive rock genre. 'The Snow Goose' is a majestic instrumental symphonic prog set that sees the Andrew Latimer-led band present a lavish collection of atmospheric and moody pieces that make up a suite inspired by the Paul Gallico's novella of the same name (originally published in 1940). Fantastic musical passages inspired by classical music and fusion seem to be interwoven into the fabric of this elegant and melodic concept album, with Camel refining their sound and offering their most expansive and cohesive work yet, with the music on the album ranging from sweeping symphonic rock, to medieval-esque folk interludes, acoustic preludes, and some gorgeous, blues-inspired passages of atmospheric instrumental rock.

And while 'The Snow Goose' definitely carries some cinematic qualities, the mere fact that this concept album was realized as an instrumental piece renders it even more special - this is an intriguing attempt and a risky one, too, but Camel deliver a good dozen of beautiful motives that re-appear across the album, occasionally moody and mellow, and rarely more uplifting and fast-paced, the record mostly remains as still as an ocean. Yet the haunting beauty of the pieces and the tremendous guitar work elevate the listener's experience, as Camel allow their work to be infiltrated by a plethora of progressive tropes and quirks. Peter Bardens also shines here as his keyboard offerings are as rich and vivid as ever, making this one of the more recognizable prog albums of the mid-70s, with the soaring interplay between him and Latimer. And of course, 'The Snow Goose' gives us classics like 'Rhayader Goes to Town' and the preceding prelude, the fantastic title track with the main theme of the album, the epic 'Dunkirk' and the symphonic majesty of 'La Princesse Perdue', just a very strong work and a really ingenious one as well.

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