CD Details

I CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE

CAMEL
1979 , UK , EAN CODE 5013929725829 - EURO 13.00

Label: ESOTERIC RECORDINGS

ALBUM REVIEW
Camel's seventh studio album is their weakest thus far, and is cited by many fans as the lowpoint of their early career. I Can See Your House From Here is indeed a somewhat frustrating release, especially for progressive rock fans such as myself, as many of the track continues with the "shallow" mainstream pop of the previous Breathless (3.0 stars). Yet I certainly wouldn't call it a poor record- more like a confusing half-attempt at mainstream credibility that was executed as well as could have been expected. The album's poor reputation is almost certainly attributable to the presence of a number of real clunkers, of the type that make even the poppiest moments of Breathless sound palatable to diehard progheads. These include the outright embarrassing synth-fest known as "Remote Romance", as well as a couple of sappy pop/rock "ballads" in "Your Love Is Stranger Than Mine" and "Neon Magic". Luckily, there are also a number of standouts that make I Can See a worthwhile acquisition for devoted fans of Camel's earlier work. Foremost among these highlights is the closing "Ice"- a tasteful guitar opus that is amongst the finer performances of Andy Latimer's career. "Eye of the Storm" is another excellent instrumental, while "Hymn To Her" is easily the best of the record's vocal tracks. As I'm completely indifferent towards the remainder of the songs, a mediocre rating of 2.5 stars seems most appropriate. (Walter 12 - Rate Your Music)