KAYAK

The second Kayak album pretty much continues in the same vein as the fine progressive-pop classic debut See See The Sun, although I must admit that I like this one less. The Todd Rundgren/Supertramp moments are more voluminous (although such comparisons are unfair in that Kayak's first pair of albums were released in 1973 and 1974 respectively, and as such, the band is really a contemporary of Supertramp) and somehow, there's something slightly less charming about this one.

Kayak II boasts one of Kayak's greatest achievements in the superlative They Get To Know Me, a tasty multi-facted prog nugget with a mean little riff I can't resist, some funky synth leads from Tom Scherpenzeel and an excellent melodic guitar lead by Johan Slager. The driving Alibi, dreamy keyboards of Mountain Too Rough, sweeping strings of Woe And Alas, the stark melancholy of Mirielle and the powerful Trust In The Machine are also strong progressive pop tunes, although I can't quite rid myself of the feeling that Kayak's players are holding back.

Still this is the slightly lesser half of an excellent pair of albums that generally lord it over more acclaimed progressive pop acts like Ambrosia and Klaatu, and almost belongs alongside the work of the big boys. I'd start with See See The Sun, but there's nothing terribly wrong with Kayak II. ... 61% on the MPV scale