RAIN DANCES

Rain Dances marks a more polished and commercial appeal of the band although there are still enough pure progressive rock elements. Some simpler tracks are compensated by increased Pink Floyd influence and we even have Brian Eno helping out with his electronics. "First light" is thankfully fully instrumental and we even have saxophone here but you can say that this is not the first- class Camel Instrumental any more. "Metrognome" is an experiment to combine to pop-prog, Canterbury and classic Camel prog into one composition. Does it succeed? You decide. "Tell me" and "Highways of the sun" are two romantic songs sung by Sinclair and Latimer, respectively. Not bad and comparable to Genesis of the era. "Uneven song" brings things unevenly closer to prog with its killer rhythm; it reminds me of "Kaipa" title track from 1978 because of bass and drums. I love Banksy keyboards, especially rising Moog. Pity that the composition is ruined with vocal sections. Subtle fusion elements combined with disco are displayed at "One Of These Days I'll Get An Early Night", quite untypical of Camel. "Elke" seems like out of place on this album and would fit more on the "Low" album by David Bowie but I love the dark tone anyway. "Skylines" may be the prog peak on this album, all instruments hammer it through, killing guitar and Moog solo while walking bass, pity that the song is only 4,5 minutes long. "Rain dances" may be an attempt at contemporary progressive electronics by Eno or Kraftwerk, well done.

A bit uneven and diverse album worth exploring.