MIRAGE

Now this one, i just don't get at all. Camel is one of the most popular british bands of them all, and guitarist Andy Latimer has an extremely high status among many prog afficionados, some call him the most emotional guitar player in the world. I will not say that that is not the case, nor will i say that Camel, or Mirage, is "bad" or "overrated", because that would not be true. Camel is a very talented band, and Mirage is a highly enjoyable album, with many tracks that feature stunning guitar work by Andy, but still, there is one thing that just gets me. According to Itunes, "Lady Fantasy" is one of my 20 most listened to tracks the last year, and while i always enjoy it while i'm listening to it, because it is very easy to enjoy with its high tempo and melodic tendencies, i can honestly say that neither the song nor the album has left any kind of impression on me whatsoever. I just never find myself thinking about it when i'm not listening to it, and never have i had the need to rush home to listen to some Camel. I just feel strangely indifferent towards it, and i fear that, if 41 listenings couldn't do the trick, i justthink that it's time to give up and call this one an "Okay".

I sometimes feel frustrated as to why i can't see what everyone else sees in Camel. It's not so much that i don't like them, it's just that my fondness reaches a certain height and then it just stops there. Halfway. Three stars. Good, but non-essential. If you feel touched by Camel's other work, however, this is as good as you're gonna get. It just does nothing for me. Sadly.