CARAVAN

The second half of Wilde Flowers finally debuted under the name Caravan. The other half of Wilde Flowers called themselves Soft Machine. I just want to start this review with this piece of fact so you, the reader, understand where I come from and where this review is going.

My first impression was that this was pretty similar to Soft Machine's debut album. A back to back comparison revealed that the Wilde Flowers split must have been a friendly one with a lot of mutual feelings. The overflow of ideas between those two albums proves my point. This album can also be compared to the Wilde Flowers compilation album (their only studio output). The music is psychedelia, the 1960s pop (The Beatles) and jazz mixed together. This album is therefore not representative for Caravan's total studio output at all. The same can be said about Soft Machine's debut album too.....

We have now established that this, their debut album is an oddball in Caravan's studio output. The quality is pretty good all over this album. From the opening song Place of my own to the closing track Where but for Caravan would I be. Inbetween, we are treated to an album full of small details and contrasts. From naive melodic pop to avant-garde jazz. I find this album pretty amazing, although I do not fall in love with it. I think it has a lot of durability. The album is also as charming as a kitten. Does that makes it a fantastic album ? No. But I have a lot of fun with it. I guess I will have a lot of fun with it as long as I live - and beyond.

My favorite track is the strange Cecil Runs with it's total weirdo melody and rhythm patterns. The rest of the album is good too. It is an oddball album, but a rather good one. Three stars is in my book a good score and I may add one more star in twenty years time. I will keep you updated.

3 stars