THE BEST OF KAYAK

Even if I haven't yet heard anything else by Kayak, I'm sure Marcelo's review is right about this compilation. It's really hits-oriented, accessible and pop (some songs prog-pop, not all even that), and that just CAN'T be the best picture about this Dutch band. I thought this would be a handy introduction to Kayak but I had to change my mind soon, noticing that the earlier 70's proggier material was practically missing. This concentrates on the late 70's and early 80's and sounds very eighties all the way. That disappointment aside, I judge this music for its own good, as pop.

In fact there's only two songs I clearly dislike. Most are quite nice, though some maybe too sweet to listen often. And I like the other -here unmentioned- vocalist whom I presume to be Edward Reekers, a voice that has sung music of Pink Floyd and Parsons (in Alex Bollard's cover albums) better than the originals, I think. Keyboard player and leading figure Ton Scherpenzeel's participation in Camel's Stationary Traveller was to me a recommendation to check Kayak in the first place, and it came as no surprise that the sound focuses very much on keyboards. 'Ruthless Queen' and 'Seagull' are very good ballads. CD's highlight is undoubtedly 'Merlin', the most progressive song. But why no earlier stuff, or even a full-length CD?