Recommendations for Camel albums
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78529
Printed Date: June 24 2025 at 17:32
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Topic: Recommendations for Camel albums
Posted By: Barah86
Subject: Recommendations for Camel albums
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 06:51
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I'm kinda new to prog rock and i would really appreciate suggestions to which Camel albums should I listen to first... Thanks in advance |
Replies:
Posted By: Lizzy
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 10:12
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For begginers I'd recommend the very accessible and melodic Snow Goose. ------------- Property of Queen Productions... 
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Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 11:49
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Rajaz. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 11:51
| Camel, then Mirage |
Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 12:03
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I think Nude could be a good intro, it shows off lots of elements of the band. Though the New Age stuff could easily be a bit off-putting. Nude or The Snow Goose would be my reccomendation -------------  
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Posted By: Atoms
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 12:31
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I started with Mirage and I loved it. And as it seems, you're not getting any help from us, because you have like 4-5 different albums that we've recomended. The main recomendation seems to be Snow Goose. It is a good album, however, it might be a bit slow if you are new to prog rock in general. Some songs in Mirage is very easy for a classic rock fan to listen to, especially the first one (Freefall is the name if I'm not mistaken). However, if you like Pink Floyd, you could always try Rajaz, it's very similiar to PF. But I'd say that Mirage is the best album to start with, now that I think of it, I converted one of my friends to a progster thanks to that album.
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Posted By: Alitare
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 12:44
| My favoriteis Moonmadness solely because of how similar it sounds to Pink Floyd. |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 13:03
Moonmadness, Mirage and Snowgoose would be very good to start with 
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Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 13:35
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Triceratopsoil wrote:Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 16:05
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 16:58
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 17:30
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I'll echo the majority. Either The Snow Goose or Moonmadness. Then Mirage or Camel. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Barah86
Date Posted: May 24 2011 at 23:53
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Thanks for all the suggestions you surely were helpful... |
Posted By: Ivan_Melgar_M
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 00:44
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Moonmadness.....Forget the rest...IMO of course. Iván ------------- 
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 01:30
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I started with Rain Dances. I was intrigued because I've been going through a big Canterbury phase and love Richard Sinclair. I was also intrigued by all the contradictory reviews on this website ("I hate it: 4 Stars!"). I figured it would be something bizarrely intriguing and experimental. I ended up very disappointed. The arrangements were far too safe, and they didn't utilize Richard Sinclair's talent at all. And why bother getting Mel Collins if he's just playing elevator jazz licks? So many of the tracks were completely forgettable and the obligatory "Hey look everybody it's Brian Eno!" track was just annoying. I'm willing to give them another chance though. I hear so many good things about Andy Latimer's talent and many of my favorite guitarists mention him as a big influence. Which album best demonstrates his talent as a guitarist/composer?
------------- 
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Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 02:43
 ...elevator jazz licks on " first light".....give the album another chance HH------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: dr prog
Date Posted: May 25 2011 at 04:45
| Go straight to the best albums. Moonmadness and Raindances. Classic prog with a fusion egde |
Posted By: zoviet
Date Posted: June 02 2011 at 22:38
| i second that!!! they work very well as a pair, the prog-out genius of Moonmadness with the more urban/urbane sounds of Raindances. |
Posted By: dr prog
Date Posted: June 02 2011 at 23:17
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Get Live record also. The sinclair disc is awesome
I'd go in this order:
1-moonmadness-classic prog with fusion edge
2-raindances-classic with more jazzy/canterbury edge than moonmadness
3-live record-never let go, skylines sound amazing
4-camel-my fave debut ever
5-breathless-very underrated
6-nude-very underrated
Then I'd pick up the 2 overrated albums:
Mirage and Snowgoose
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Posted By: ProgressiveAttic
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 00:47
This! Not necessarily my favorite one but my first Camel album and now I am a Camel fanboy... ------------- Michael's Sonic Kaleidoscope Mondays 5:00pm EST(re-runs Thursdays 3:00pm) @ Delicious Agony Progressive Rock Radio(http://www.deliciousagony.com) 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 05:39
I was familiar with them way back when but never got any albums. I did get the double live record CD though not too long ago and like it, but am not exploring further at this moment. ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: June 03 2011 at 05:46
Got the whole collection, and though i've my favourite ones, love them all ( even Single Factor! yes! ) 
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Posted By: moszaic
Date Posted: September 12 2011 at 23:36
| you'll never forget what was your first album of a band...so, you should never forget "Moonmadness" |
Posted By: awaken77
Date Posted: September 13 2011 at 05:54
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Mirage Camel 1st Moonmadness Snow Goose these are classics from later albums I recommend A Nod And A Wink and Rajaz |
Posted By: colorofmoney91
Date Posted: September 13 2011 at 06:25
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Mirage Moonmadness Breathless Everyone seems to like Snow Goose too, but I think it's really bland. ------------- http://hanashukketsu.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow - Hanashukketsu |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: September 13 2011 at 15:23
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Hi,
I say ... start in the beginning with their first album ... it will make Mirage, then Snow Goose and all the way to Nude ... even more impressive.
It's really hard to get people to appreciate things like "Snow Goose" out of the blue ... Snow Goose, like Topographic Oceans, like Passion Play and other long works got absolutely trashed viciously by many rock music critics, and it's still happening today.
You will find many folks in this board that are beyond that and the appreciation for many of the conceptual things are very high on this board, but in general, the opinions tend to vary so harshly as to really hurt the ARTIST and their work. ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: September 13 2011 at 15:40
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Posted By: awaken77
Date Posted: September 15 2011 at 01:49
this part is perfect, with soulful guitar of Andy Latimer, and beautiful minimoog theme from Pete Bardens. and I love live version much more, then on the album |
Posted By: GoldenGod2112
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 14:43
------------- The future's uncertain and the end is always near. - Jim Morrison |
Posted By: dr prog
Date Posted: September 16 2011 at 17:52
Raindances is awesome. One of my fave albums
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Posted By: Kirillov
Date Posted: September 17 2011 at 09:04
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As an introduction to Camel I'd say Moonmadness.
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Posted By: ghost_of_morphy
Date Posted: September 17 2011 at 09:15
------------- 
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Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: September 17 2011 at 15:29
Am I the only one who finds Moonmadness hopelessly mediocre, for the most part? I have their first five and latest three, and Moonmadness is my least favorite of all. I like the first and last songs (instrumentals if I recall correctly!), but the vocal parts are just hopeless dull. I don't mean the vocals themselves are necessarily bad; just that the music during them is boring. Then again I've not listened to it in quite a while. Ah well, I love all of their other albums I have, so... Frank ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: wjohnd
Date Posted: September 17 2011 at 15:48
It's the only alum of theirs i've ever felt i needed. it's a good mix of songs and they play them very well. ------------- 
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Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: September 17 2011 at 16:38
Moonmadness is my favourite one ever  ------------- FAIS QUE TON REVE SOIT PLUS LONG QUE LA NUIT HAVE YOUR DREAM LASTING LONGER THAN THE NIGHT |
Posted By: Barah86
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 13:01
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I had just heard their debut and i was immediately hooked by their sound, the album was brilliant. a big thanks to all of you who gave me some information and recommendations... ------------- Death seed blind man's greed Poets' starving children bleed Nothing he's got he really needs Twenty first century schizoid man. 
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Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 13:53
So the best is yet to come  ------------- FAIS QUE TON REVE SOIT PLUS LONG QUE LA NUIT HAVE YOUR DREAM LASTING LONGER THAN THE NIGHT |
Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 14:24
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* yeah...lucky person, imagine just starting to discover all their albums from scratch. You mentioned Single Factor the other day. I love that album too especially Selva, Camelogue and Heroes. The only albums I know least are Harbour Of tears and Dust & Dreams. I have them, just never " Tuned" into them ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 14:30
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Welcome to the club, i love single factor too, about the two others maybe they need numerous listenings,but now i'm keen on them ------------- FAIS QUE TON REVE SOIT PLUS LONG QUE LA NUIT HAVE YOUR DREAM LASTING LONGER THAN THE NIGHT |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: September 21 2011 at 16:56
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yeah ,the single factor is a really good album .dust and dreams is a really good one too,but it takes times to get it ------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 02:12
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I'm still wondering why Single factor has been that much disliked,Caravan did albums which were more pop oriented too..... ------------- FAIS QUE TON REVE SOIT PLUS LONG QUE LA NUIT HAVE YOUR DREAM LASTING LONGER THAN THE NIGHT |
Posted By: E-Dub
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 06:56
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Snowgoose, Moodmadness, A Nod And A Wink and Rain Dances. All very strong places to start. E ------------- 
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Posted By: criticdrummer94
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 07:05
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Mirage and Moonmadness. Could never get into Snow Goose IMO -------------  
MY IDOLS |
Posted By: DavetheSlave
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 07:13
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A Nod and a Wink for sure. ------------- I'm a normal psychopath |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 07:34
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I highly recommend Moonmadness. Moonmadness was a kind of peak the band reached when they built themselves up to that point with releases such as the first album, Mirage, and Snow Goose. Moonmadness was the perfect blend of elements. Elements which were present on the first 3 titles but had yet to blend in such a way as they do on Moonmadness. The follow up album Rain Dances featured Mel Collins and Richard Sinclair on board for the first time. The album was more jazzy and yet had a smoother mainstream Top 40 hits vibe to it. It wasn't a bad album, however things did get progressively worse in the Top 40 vain with Breathless and I Can See Your House From Here
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I Can See Your House From Here featured Kit Watkins....the great keyboardist from Happy the Man. His role is unjust on this particular record. After hearing his great keyboard work on Happy the Man albums it seemed he was adjusting to what he was being asked to do and nothing else. With the follow up release NUDE ...it felt like the band were returning to the progressive nature of Moonmadness. Not so much indicated on songs like "City Life", but more present on "Docks". Docks was an instrumental derived from a piece Kit Watkins wrote titled "Mt. St. Helens" and was featured on the Kit Watkins solo album Labyrinth. As the years progressd they released albums like The Single Factor which reminded me of Alan Parsons and Stationary Traveller (which I enjoyed a lot), and was a much darker album compared to Single Factor. Stationary Traveller contained some cheesy type ballads, yet was held in high regard due to it's hot instrumentals and lyrically dark up tempo songs
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I used to surf through albums like Breathless just to hear songs like "Echoes" and "The Sleeper" Many years later I stumbled across Dust and Dreams in Tower Records. I enjoyed most of it and wrote Andy Latimer a letter and sent it to his new address in Mount View, California. He sent me many photograph promotion shots of the band which were signed by the band, but mostly him and Colin Bass. He wrote me a few letters as well. I love his guitar work on Dust and Dreams, Harbour of Tears, and Rajaz. A little more modern sounding Camel with some very great songs and instrumental pieces in the epic vain.
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: September 22 2011 at 07:45
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The first four albums are all good. The best, imo are Moonmadness and Mirage.
------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: awaken77
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 09:39
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This is awesome track from Moonmadness |
Posted By: Kashmir75
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 19:03
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Can't go wrong with the first four albums, Camel, Mirage, Snow Goose, and Moonmadness. Especially the latter three. ------------- Hello, mirror. So glad to see you, my friend. It's been a while... |
Posted By: TopographicTales
Date Posted: September 23 2011 at 19:57
I would pretty much say the same. I'm actually listening to Moondmadness right now.
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Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: September 25 2011 at 12:14
It was the attitude of people that I noticed first before listening to the album. That was an overshadow single factor within itself. On Nude.... the 1 or 2 more commercial sounding songs were overshadowed with the progressive side to the music. People then...during the release of it connected with the music and perhaps they were waiting for the next release to sound like or produce the same ideas on Nude.
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Posted By: Big Ears
Date Posted: October 04 2011 at 13:20
| My introduction to Camel was to see them live around the Snow Goose time. They played the album in its entirety as well as tracks from Camel and Mirage. So, I feel more attached to those albums. Moon Madness and Rain Dances are excellent, but seem a bit more accessible. I have never heard Stationary Traveller - is it worth getting? |
Posted By: jean-marie
Date Posted: October 04 2011 at 17:12
------------- FAIS QUE TON REVE SOIT PLUS LONG QUE LA NUIT HAVE YOUR DREAM LASTING LONGER THAN THE NIGHT |
Posted By: Big Ears
Date Posted: October 05 2011 at 07:55
Thanks for the advice. |
Posted By: theRunawayV
Date Posted: November 15 2011 at 09:28
| Start off with Moonmadness, then Snow Goose, then Nude. Then just get whatever you want,really. I never really thought Mirage was all that great. Don't get me wrong I love it, just nowhere near Moonmadness or Snow Goose.. They excel live, too so get a live album/DVD. |
Posted By: Heepster
Date Posted: April 19 2012 at 09:40
| Hi everybody! I´m a new member, and a long time Camel berserker... About the recomendations for his sublime discography, the correct path to follow is: Mirage - Moonmadness - A Live record - Snow Goose (the alive version is slightly different in tempos and intensities: another experience, "another night". I see it as a good introduction to the real thing) - Raindances - Breathless (f**k, yeah: last of the almighty Bardens era, and second and last for the lovely Rich Sinclair) - The first album (Arubaluba and Never let go: what else????). Etc.... Good luck, kid! |
Posted By: MillsLayne
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 01:11
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I'm actually considering picking up the albums from Rain Dances through Nude. It seems the albums as wholes aren't as solid as the first four, but there are some songs on those albums that I think I need in my collection. ------------- http://gamercards.exophase.com/xbox/user/MillsLayne/" rel="nofollow">  ht |
Posted By: Horizons
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 01:50
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Breathless is a great album, very underrated. ------------- Crushed like a rose in the riverflow. |
Posted By: Heepster
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 18:07
Breathless is the swang song of an era for Camel, Maybe, a farewell to an entire era of the prog-rock in general, too. The album is not conceived like a "concept", so perhaps this fact tends to confund to the majority. *Every single track is a WHOLE*, that´s the correct point of view to appreciate this masterwork, in my humble opinion.
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Posted By: Heepster
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 18:10
| Stationery Traveller, and maybe Dust and Dreams, are another must-haves of the Hoover-era (the first is far superior to Nude). |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 18:19
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 18:28
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Funny, I didn't really care that much for Breathless, in spite of Sinclair's contributions to the band. I actually prefer I Can See Your House. Of the Hoover-era my favorites are Rajaz, Dust and Dreams and Stationary Traveler.
------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |
Posted By: Sumdeus
Date Posted: November 25 2012 at 18:55
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I never bothered with anything past the first four albums. I've tried songs from different ones and it all seemed much more poppy and not good or interesting at all
------------- http://sumdeus.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow - Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 26 2012 at 19:40
| The first album I got was Mirage, and I feel it was a good album to begin with, though I still haven't got their debut. Also, perhaps "A Live album" would be a good point to start with, for you can get an overview of their early (and in general, most beloved) years, my only complaint with that album is that it doesn't feature "Lady Fantasy". |
Posted By: AlanB
Date Posted: January 20 2013 at 09:22
Are you sure? I have a vinyl copy of "A Live Album" from when it was first released and it has a killer version of Lady Fantasy on it. I'd be surprised if they'd missed that track off the CD version.
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