We celebrate Canada a lot, particularly as that country seems to be at the forefront of all that has interested us musically across the past few years. We do so again, although this is not about the usual crashing riffs that venture out from there.
My love of Prog is well known and it has been pleasing to see others appreciate it. It isn't just about terminal solos and a demonstration of how well the band play their instruments. Brass Camel demonstrate this wonderfully.
Brass Camel's second album is perhaps a little rockier than people are used to but it is absolutely wonderful and deserves an audience beyond the usual Prog spots. Firstly, this is really funky at times, a bit like a Funky Rush or 90s Rock.
But there is also a real Classic Rock, almost Led Zep in moments, feel to it. Great riffs and solos and a vocal nearer to classic or Hard Rock. However, songs change direction and genres at will. It is also compiled wonderfully.
There are six songs. The opener and closer are 11 minutes long and that may appear pure Prog. But this length allows the five piece to fully demonstrate what they can do. It allows them to be Prog, but also change styles at will. These two songs are the most commercial, but also the most Prog. That is the reason I've embedded both.
However, the shorter songs provide shorter sharper bursts and are as focussed as the two aforementioned songs, they just provide a shorter introduction. Camel is an album that Rocks without fear or favour. It is Prog Plus and unlike most of the meandering whimsical stuff that gets offered up as Modern or Neo Prog, this is proper Prog and absolutely splendid.
You can listen to and buy the album here. You can buy it on Vinyl here.
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