A NOD AND A WINK

Camel's come back since 1991 has brought some marvelous works. It is by far my preferred period (even if the trio "Mirage", "Snow Goose" and "Moonmadness" was very good as well). During their new era, they not only released great studio work, but they also produced two of their best live ones (actually their best ones IMO).

To be complete, I would rather say that it corresponds more to Andrew's work than to a band's work. He has always been the major driving force of the band, even if very important members left their mark on Camel's music (Bardens for sure and Sinclair to a lesser extent).

This might well be the last Camel studio album since their web-site has remained silent for a long time now. I guess that we'll have here and there some "lost jewels" released in the years to come. Hopefully, one of these would be a live record from the "Rajaz" tour.

Since there were no tour organized for supporting "Nod & A Wink" we cannot expect too much on this front. As far as I know, the only tracks ever played from "A Nod And A Wink" were : "Fox Hill" and "For Today" live.

Now, what's available here ?

Since it is not a concept album, tracks are rather long (like in "Rajaz") which is a feature that I usually appreciate.

The title track, which is the longest one, is rather dull and monotonous. Little interesting moment and definitely not a great opener. Hopefully the rest of the album will be superior.

The very melancholic mood of "Simple Pleasures" reminds me "Straight To My Heart" from "Rajaz". It kick off in its second half with a great guitar break. It is one of my fave from this album.

"A Boy's Life" features a dull intro. But the whole track is in the same vein. I'm afraid that so far, this album is far much weaker than its three predecessors.

"Fox Hill" starts as their poor output from the eighties. Poppy, uninspired with no feeling. It develops into a keyboard solo with poor melody. It reminds me of Genesis while they were attempting to re-create epics with the release of longer tracks ("Driving The Last Pike" or "Fading Lights" for instance). But as Genesis, Camel will quite fail in its attempt. Producing a long track does not imply that it is a good one. It is one the poorest here. But we remain in the same territories with "The Miller's Tale", unfortunately.

Then, all of a sudden, we finally have a very good track. "Squigley Lady" is a travel through time. One is transported in the "Snow Goose" period. Very subtle flute and good acoustic work in the background. For five minutes, it is really an enchantment. Then we have some awful vocals (fortunately, they only last for thirty seconds). This tranquil song brings you peace and tranquility. One of the highlights.

"For Today" is also a good track, mainly thanks to a brilliant guitar solo from Andrew. Again, emotion at its peak. It's just a pity that these beautiful moments are too scarce on this album. Vocal closing part is, for once, very nice and poignant.

A Japan import version features the track "After All These Years" to close the album. It is a brilliant number, really. Andrew delivers a vibrant solo in this last Camel (?) song. Really a valuable bonus track : superior to half of the regular studio ones. It lasts for 5'46".

In general, the tone is rather boring and uninspired during the fist half of this work, except "Simple Pleasures". Vocal parts are real bad for most of them. Fortunately, we get some great intrumental parts but this is not enough to create a great record. This is by far the weakest Camel effort since their come back. This is maybe the reason that Andrew put a hold to it ?

It will also be the time for Andrew to thank all the band members that have crossed the Camel's road for the last thirty years. He will dedicate this work to Peter Bardens who had just passed away. It might be considered as an "au-revoir", but there are also some reasons to believe that maybe the Camel adventure is not yet over. Andrew will write in the liner notes : "I look forward to the next thirty years and the inevitable changes that will surely come". Let's hope that this is more a stop than an end.

I would have preferred to end my Camel reviews with a higher rating. How great would it be to have ended with a type of "Rajaz" effort ! Thanks very much Andrew and Peter for the great songs you have produced. You will hold a special place in my musical heart.

Three stars.