Stationary Traveller (1984)

It is the third concept album, although not a storyline as were The Snow Goose and Nude. The songs are all (sometimes rather loosely) related to the Berlin Wall.

Susan Hoover has again penned all the lyrics, and she's finally caught up with Andy's music-writing abilities. These are words you remember and sing along with.

As with The Single Factor, there is wonderful variety in the songs; "Cloak and Dagger Man" just kicks butt, "Missing" is a great instrumental that is both driving and melodic, "Fingertips" is beautiful, and everything else is memorable and distinctive. It was very unfortunate that after finally getting the "second generation" Camel to nearly rival the early days, there would be silence for eight years.

If you don't already have it, buy this album.

Other Opinions

From William W. Thompson:

You loved it, but I found it to be a minor letdown. The fault lies in the dark concept of the album, I think. Nothing too upbeat on this disk.