MIRAGE

After their unfocused,eclectic and a bit raw, but energetic debut, "Mirage" came as band's choice for future direction. Possibly, there could be different opinions, how good this choice was, but decision has done and on this album band really knows what they are doing.

Still with some hard rock roots deeply under the skin, band plays heavily arranged symphonic prog. Differently of debut album, sound there is much better balanced, and even slightly polished. Keyboards became the main instruments from now, but compositions are still a bit too dry, not such soulful as on next release, "Snow Goose" (which I count as their highest point of career ever).

In some compositions you can hear very "Snow Goose" -like moments, what shows band was on the first step inventing their "classic" sound, but on this album such pieces still are more marginal, just more illustrating their potential for next release.

In fact, there are no bad moments on this album (as well as really great moments). Really quality album, with just some vocals (and I believe purely instrumental "Snow Goose" wins because of its absent of vocals as well. Good album (but hardly great).

To be honest, only "Snow Goose" for me is Camel's album, better than just average one (possibly,because there the band plays what they know best - melodic beautiful instrumental symphonic prog, not too hard,not too bombastic and not too mellow, as on many later works). Still, Mirage is possibly their second best album after.

Camel has its fame in some progressive circles. If you're new to band, start from "Snow Goose", if you really will like it - try "Mirage". If "Snow Goose" wouldn't sound attractive enough for you - just leave Camel for others.

My rating is 3,5,rounded to 4.