MIRAGE

Camel made a huge leap forward with their second album that included them in the major league of progressive rock acts. Music got more advanced, complex and adventureous. All players do a fine job upgrading their duties to version 2.0 that contains traces of rock, Canterbury style, subtle jazz and folk. Inclusion of flute becomes one of Camel's trademark.

The first song has all typical and best Camel sound can offer: busy drumming/bass guitar, excellent guitar soloing. Maybe the most famous track from the album and certainly among best ones. "Supertwister" is a mellow track notable for its peaceful flute, maybe a bit reminiscent of Genesis Gabriel's era. "Nimrodel" is another highlight - a suite with multiple moods and again you feel the intense Canterbury feeling with tightly played instruments and guitar effects in the last part of the epic. We find ourselves high on the overblow progressive rock sky. Coming down from the clouds is "Earthrise" with excellent Minimoog leads and loud guitar soloing. Less of a classical music but more upbeat instrumental progressive rock of highest calibre. "Lady fantasy" is the second epic on the album and sound-wise more like from the first album. There is a classic rock/hard-rock feeling to it. The music here is at times very soothing but towards the end evolves into a powerful riff and Hammond power.

While not a revolutionary album, Camel set the first lasting trademark with this album and influenced countless proggers. It belongs to the group of 30 best progressive rock albums in the history of prog-rock.