MusicRatty: CAMEL - Mirage (1974)

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CAMEL - Mirage (1974)

2008-03-20 13:38:11 by Editor in Progarchives.com (Progressive rock and related latest reviews)

Mirage! Alas!!

Marvellous second album, this is the breakthrough from Camel, totally marvellous and genius. It took me to get into Latimer's voice, still is difficult in other albums, but in this one I really dig him, even though it's not the typical prog voice, but still good.

Opening with a rocker, Freefall, totally great, this is why I like too much this album, cause it has much heavy prog parts. Really good. Here Andy's voice is perhaps weak but you'll get used to it, it's really fun how he sings in this song, together with that hard rock guitar. This song may have some jazz influences, like most of Camel's albums but still is rather slightly the presence so don't worry.

Then follows up a softer one but progier, with that wonderful flute, really great, marvellous melodies, great keyboards. Lovely short instrumental.

Then aproaches a highlight, Nimrodel, begining in a type of Floyd mood, but then changes completly, going soft, with a slow guitar solo sourounded by fascinating keyboards and an acoustic guitar. Here the heavy prog presence is back, with a great keyboard, with a guitar shredding behind it. Really good drumming indeed, with a fast but low bass line. Then having both solos things soft up again. This song finishes quite darky with a very spooky guitar solo and a rare keyboard sound.

After a huge song comes Earthrise, a real Camel tune. With adventorous keyboards and a perfect bass line. Better than Supertwister, a great instumental track.

Now...To the end.. Ah exactly great, Lady Fantasy, it always was difficult to get into that begining, but then got into it... After that rather strange but good intro, things get up with The Doors like keyboards, really awsome. Fascinating guitar! Really great, totally powerfull. Andy's voice fit really well, rarely haha. After that great solo things get faster and heavier in some way, with another guitar solo, less powerfull but still great, with a great bass and drum rythm. The flute is missing ok, but still amazing. A really powerful song for a prog song. It follows softer, with that very good rythm section. After a while things really darker, with a very dark atmosphere, with a great guitar, and soon Andy's spooky voice. But after singing 'Oh my Lady Fantasy I Love You' things get really heavy and fast, totally adventorous and powefull, totally madness going on, with some great guitar and keyboards. With a total mind blowing keyboard solo!!! Totally fascinating!! It seems it will finish badly in some way, but it finishes really calm and good. Perfect ending for a complete essential prog album.

Well what da ya think!?...Totally great, a perfect start to begin with Camel, totally essential for any prog collection, a pitty Camel isn't quite recognisable, they're so great, okay they're not Yes or Pink Floyd but still they can really rock some prog. A massive 4 star, I totally agree with anyone who thinks it's a masterpiece.

by cacho

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