IN THE LAND OF GREY AND PINK

You have to be in the right mood to listen to this album, and that's one of light hearted nostalgia. Caravan do (or did) take their music seriously but they clearly have a sense of humour, and there's nothing wrong in that. Nice to hear a band that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's all too obvious though this was music created in the early 70's.

Side 1as was comprised four songs; "Golf Girl" is an amusing ditty about meeting a girl on you've guessed it a golf course, who then goes on to become the singer's wife; "Winter Wine" is a nice warming number; "Love to Love You" is pleasant but forgettable; and then the title track, "In the Land of Grey and Pink" which to my ears reminds me of the theme song to one of those '70s BBC kids programmes that Derek Griffiths used to present. The vocalist - sorry I'm not sure if its Richard Sinclair or Pye Hastings - has a pleasant but not great voice, he's aware of his limitations and clearly enjoys himself as he gargles "..down the drain." below what he can comfortably manage on the title track. Side 2 is the meat of the album, a 22 minute long track, "Nine Feet Underground" divided into several parts, ranging in mood and texture, never losing this listener's interest. The final sections have a riff that's almost straight out of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" - just shows how different music can sound with a different tempo, a different timbre.

The bonus tracks on this CD are mildly interesting but don't really add anything (did we really need an alternative version of "Golf Girl"?)

I've given this 3 stars but it don't take that as damning with faint praise - this is a thoroughly enjoyable album, but as another reviewer notes it's goofy, whimsical fun rather than a masterpiece.