CAMEL

Camel

Symphonic Prog

3.95 | 1521 ratings

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The Crow
Prog Reviewer

Excellent debut from one of the most representative 70's prog band!

Camel managed to record this album after years of playing together, and they sounded really cohesionated, with a flawless instrumental work, and with a bunch of excellent songs... To be fair, every track of the album deserves close attention. I specially enjoy the marvellous Latimer's guitar sound, wich is perfectly mixed with the equally great Peter Barden's keyboards. Andy Ward and Doug Fergusson also gave an playing lesson here!

Although this album is almost instrumental, it's never boring, and it will keep your attention from the first minute, with the funny Slow Yourself Down, wich has some The Doors influences... Then comes Mystic Queen, an impressive slow track with incredibly beautiful keyboards. I can crearly see the roots of albums like Opeth's "Damnation" in this track... But after this peaceful beauty, comes the groovy Six Ate, a funny theme with good rythm, almost funky. Separation and Never Let Go are two worthy vocal tracks, specially the second one, and even better are the instrumentals Curiosity and Arubaluba, wich closes the album wonderfully, leaving you wanting for more!

Best Tracks: I specially enjoy Mystic Queen, Six Ate and Arubaluba, but the album has no weak songs.

Conclusion: if you want to hear an album with perfect instrumentation, the exact dosis of variety, and tons of elegance, then give the Camel's debut an opportunity... It's a really ejoyable, catchy album, and it's like a summary of the best from the first 70's years. The true Camel's style was not really developed, but this album has enough interest and the songs are so good, that it's plenty worhty of being on every prog music collection.

My rating: ****

The Crow | 4/5 | 2009-7-15

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