RAIN DANCES

This is CAMEL's first album after bassist Doug Ferguson left, being replaced by CARAVAN's Richard Sinclair. I was expecting more with Richard on board. I do like the jazzy flavour he brings, but "Rain Dances" pales when compared to the previous album "Moonmadness" in my opinion. There's a lot that I like about this record,but for me it's too inconsistant.

"First Light" is such a good song though, maybe the best one on here. The sound builds with prominant synths (lots of synths on this album). The tempo picks up a minute in. Great sound. Nice bass as well. Mel Collins who guests on this record offers up some good sax 4 minutes in. "Metrognome" opens with Sinclair on vocals, and I don't like it at all. Fortunately it changes to a much better sound. That contrast continues though.The tempo picks up 2 minutes in with sax. I do like the guitar before 3 1/2 minutes as it goes on and on until the end of the song. "Tell Me" is a pastoral track with reserved vocals and bass. Flute 1 1/2 minutes in. Lots of background synths.

"Highways Of The Sun" is the worst CAMEL song i've heard so far. I hated it from the first time I heard it. "Unevensong" is uptempo with vocals. A calm after 3 minutes before it kicks back in to end it. Nice ending. The last four songs are instrumentals. "One Of These Days I'll Get An Early Night" is very much light,poppy Jazz. It has it's moments though, as Latimer plays some excellent guitar. "Elke" is better as we get an atmospheric soundscape with lots of help from guest Brian Eno. "Skylines" is jazzy with some great drumming from Ward. Lots of synths too. "Rain Dances" is the short concluding track. Orchestral sounding intro is joined by flute. Lots of synths follow.

I have listened to it lots, but i'm just not sold.