MIRAGE

This happens to be one of my favorite Camel albums. Not only does it boast great playing by all the members, but the compositions are well written. There's great structure in all of them. Plus, they all have that great groove and energy that doesn't seem to surface as often in their later albums. The thing that strikes me the most about this album is that it's got lots of variation, from the calm and beautiful Supertwister to the groove of Freefall to the wicked fast jam in Earthrise. Nimrodel begins with a haunting passage including synth lines that bring tears to my eyes. This song hits a high point in the middle, and then falls back down only to finish strong. Lady Fantasy is epic and strange. (Which is, of course, a good thing)

Furthermore, the synth design is great. The guitar tone is great for his style of playing. The whole band is just as tight as can be. The recording quality may not be flawless, but there are plenty of recordings that I personally find to be outstanding despite the sound quality. (For instance, Gentle Giant) I also appreciate the use of improvisation written into the structure of most of these songs. The melodies are infectuous, the harmonies are brilliantly concieved, and the album itself has a distinct and unique sound throughout. What's not to like?