I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE

Andy Latimer and Andy Ward would be the only two remaining after the last record "Breathless", although Mel Collins does guest on one track. So enter new members Colin Bass on bass, along with Kit Watkins (HAPPY THE MAN) and Jan Schelhaas on keyboards. Phil Collins adds some percussion. Rupert Hine is the producer which certainly didn't surprise me when I heard this record, simply because it's very commercial sounding and light for the most part.

"Wait" is uptempo and very dated sounding to these ears. That late seventies poppy sound is alive and well here. It's awful. And no I don't care that there are four Moog solos. "Your Love Is Stranger Than Mine" continues in that light poppy sound. Yikes ! "Eye Of The Storm" is the first half decent tune. Apparently this was originally a HAPPY THE MAN instrumental. Kit plays keyboards and flute here. "Who Are We" atually sounds like CAMEL but it's nothing to write home about. I'm not a fan of the orchestration.

"Survival" is a short orchestral piece. "Hymn To Her" is the best so far. The beginning is just gorgeous, it reminds me of the "Moonmadness" album. Jan is playing the Grand Piano here while Andrew shines on vocals and guitar. "Neon Magic" is a return to blah really. "Remote Romance" is the worse track on here, and that's saying something. Those sequencers just don't work, neither do the almost spoken vocals. Just shoot me please ! "Ice" is a complete surprise considering all that has gone on before it. How do you explain this over 10 minute instrumental that is filled with emotion and passion. It's one of CAMEL's best compositions on a bad album. It's also one of Latimer's best solos.

Certainly "Ice" and "Hymn To Her" made me think about giving this 3 stars, but the rest just drags this album down too far.