Camel - Nude (1981) LP

A new decade and yet a new keyboard-player in Camel, this time named Duncan Mackay. And just when you thought that Camel had joined the other major progressive rock bands of the 70’s in a hopeless search for a commercial and pop-oriented style, they returned with their best, most symphonic and progressive work since “Moonmadness”. And they did it at a time when absolutely nobody had expected it. “Nude” was even a concept-album, and told the true story of a stranded Japanese soldier who stayed in the jungle for 29 years without knowing that the war had ended.

The album didn’t open all that promising with the boring and generic AOR of “City Life” but the record never lets down after that. “Drafted” is stuffed with great melodies and guitar-themes of the classic Camel-kind, and proved beyond any doubt that the band was back at their best. Then you’re in for a series of lengthy and complex instrumental-passages (about 70% of the album is instrumental) that perfectly captures the drama and atmosphere of the story. “The Snow Goose” is the only other Camel-album that can rival “Nude” when it comes to sweeping, symphonic and atmospheric soundscapes.

There’s lots of flute on the quiet parts, and there are even some ethnic rhythms on “Changing Places” to illustrate the jungle. “Reflection” is Latimer at his most magic, and will again make you think of the most beautiful and relaxed parts from
“The Snow Goose”. “Lies” is a strong vocal-track that somewhat resembles Pink Floyd, and Mackay delivered an organ-solo to prove that he understood what keyboards a progressive rock band should use, even in the 80’s.
But no matter how good “Nude” was, it proved to be only a temporarily return to form, as the rest of Camel’s 80’s output is not of this level.