A NOD AND A WINK

Andrew Latimer's Camel followed-up Rajaz with a release that pretty much had everything that the fans would expect it to be. Instrumentally, this album is a minor masterpiece since the band members play around with their style more than what they did on the previous release. Lyrically, there is definitely more to be desired of the collective, even if we take into account that Camel has never really been a lyrically strong band to begin with. I think that Latimer's voice also isn't as bright as it was before and at times I just can't help but feel like he's preaching to me, since he really does sound like an old man here.

There is a definite nostalgic feel to these songs that most of the time makes them warm and personal. Of course there are those other times where I get the feeling like Latimer is just looking back at his past days of glory like an old-timer. This feeling is especially clear on the album's final track For Today which really manages to drag down the enjoyment for me. Even though I might be misunderstanding the content of this final composition, I doubt that it would help me to overcome the feeling that Andrew Latimer's Camel are at the end of their career and that A Nod And A Wink represents their curtain call.

Either way, I cannot call this album bad since the material is anything but that. A Nod And A Wink can easily represent a must have album for the fans of 70's Camel who where listening to the band back in the day. As for me, I simply lack the feeling of nostalgia to grant this release anything higher than a good, but non-essential rating.

***** star songs: The Miller's Tale (3:34)

**** star songs: A Nod And A Wink (11:16) Simple Pleasures (5:31) A Boy´s Life (7:20) Fox Hill (9:09) Squigley Fair (8:02)

*** star songs: For Today (10:40)