Customer Reviews

Close to the Fire

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title track alone is worth the purchase price! The other tracks that I enjoy (Frozen Flame, Crusader, etc.) are just a sweetener. This group very much deserves all the recognition they can get - this is symphonic prog-rock at its best. Although I am somewhat less enchanted than other reviewers (mostly because some of the songs seem to be poorly mixed), I am very happy to find new prog-rock that doesn't sound like a "Yes" clone. If you enjoy Kayak and/or Camel, by all means buy this CD.

What a thrill to have a new Kayak album! The band sounds great after almost a twenty year hiatus. The line-up for this CD is almost the same as the Royal Bed Bouncer group, but Rob Winter replaces Johan Slager on guitars. Max Werner returns to perform the lead vocals and sounds fabulous. Ton Scherpenzeel handles the keyboards and a good deal of the song-writing - and if age has made the songs somewhat more introspective, the arrangements and execution are flawless. Highlights include the chilling title track, Frozen Flame, and Crusader. Full Circle is a rousing lilt assisted by Camel guitarist Andy Latimer. The final track is a grand re-make of the hit Ruthless Queen. The vocals here are by Syb vd Ploeg, and are more powerful than the original, and somewhat in the style of John Wetton. All in all a welcome return of a very underated prog-rock band.

I went mad and bought a lot of Camel cd's without dissapointment. Hearing Andrew Latimer on this album as guest guitarist was a thrill. Kayak is a band new to me and quite refreshing, sounding more like Asia(John Wetton), Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. After several plays, this music grows on you and full of melody. Tracks that stand out are worth the money is Close to the Fire, When Hearts Grow Cold, Crusader, Frozen Flame and their best of all, Full Circle, which has a celtic feel to it. This is my very first Kayak cd and will probably continue this bands collection. Excellent cd and worth the listen and purchase.

Close to the Fire is indeed a welcome surprise! After many long years waiting for Kayak CD's to emerge at all, I now have a new album plus other re-releases to feast on! On their latest album, Kayak returns with the ship intact, and with most of the bases covered. Probably the main necessity, the songwriting, from Ton and Pim, is still wonderful and moving, retaining the haunting mystery and power that is Kayak's trademark. It's aslso great to hear Max back at lead vocals, though at times he sounds a little weary. But we must remember that it is 2001, not 1975, when Royal Bed Bouncer was center stage and all was right with the world! Though Royal Bed Bouncer was smack dab in the center of that Fire, Close to the Fire comes very close, and these days close is just as good as in the center. Rob Winter's electric guitar doesn't satisfy quite as thoroughly as Johann Slager, but it is close enough to get you by. Again, the strength of Kayak was always hinged on the songwriting, and there is no problem here. Besides the title cut, favorites include the magestic "Crusader," "Frozen Flame," "Two Wrongs," and "Anybody's Child." The inclusion of the remake of "Ruthless Queen" is adequate, but unnnecessary. All in all, a splendid comeback from the dutch boys, who in my opinion, are one of the most over-looked musical groups of all time. Of course, musical tastes are entirely subjective, but you'll be hard pressed to find the combination of rock, progressive rock, classical and traditional music on as fine a display as Kayak music. For any newcomers this album is a fine introduction, but you must check out other favorites: Royal Bed Bouncer (with my favorite cut being "Chance for a Lifetime," with Johann Slager's crunching guitar spurred on by Max's manic vocals and Ton's genius songwriting straddling rock and renaissance styles with equal dexterity), Starlight Dancer, Phantom of the Night and Merlin. May the Dutch Boys "cover the world" with their music forever!

Before buying this cd i thought that kansas comeback was the best thing in this year2000.But when i got my new kayak cd i almost cry.They sound as good as ever.I remember my 1st kayak lp Starlight dancer about 20 years ago.THis one is the best thing they have done since merlin.I wish they keep recording more music.By the way when all their discography will be available domestically?

This album hits the sensitive string inside me. All songs are about broken relations or unanswered love. And the voice of Max Werner is just very good. But ofcourse, there are some songs without these thoughts. Let's have a closer look at the album:

Close To The Fire: 9/10 The title track, very good
When Hearts Grow Cold: 9/10 Very sad emotional song
Dream Child: 8/10 Good as well
Frozen Flame: 8/10 Nice, nice melody, and well sung
Forever: 9/10 Another good song, this one reminds me to the earlier Kayak
Worlds Apart: 7/10 good song
Crusader: 9/10 nice melody, very good
Two Wrongs (don't make a right): 6/10 the worst of the album, but not bad
Anybody's Child: 9/10 this is a classic
Here Today: 8/10 Just well done
Just A Matter Of Time: 8/10 nice song, perfect for happy times
Full Circle: 10/10 the best of 'em all, great drum solo's
Ruthless Queen: 9/10 a 10 for the song, a -1 for the one who sings it

That was my review, I highly recommend it to you!
keep On Rocking!!!!

I am a big Kayak fan (see my reviews of Royal Bed Boucer, Classics, See See The Sun).... and it pains me to tell you that this album doesnt live up to the promise...

The "classic" line-up returns (Ton Scherpenzeel, Max Werner, Pim Koopman, Bert Veldkamp) and I thought I'd be in for a nostalgia trip back to the See See the Sun/Royal Bed Bouncer.. but I was in for a disappointment. The trip back is to the "Ruthless Queen" era (which song incidentally is redone, but, not surprisingly, not as good as the original).

The album is perfect AOR... all rather mid-tempoed, if not slow, but nice melodies. Not to say that there aren't any good songs on the album. The opener "Close to the Fire" is an 8 min. mini-epic that sets the tone for the album, mid-tempo, soaring melodies and vocals.

All in all... 65 min of "Ruthless Queen/Starlight Dancer/Phantom of the Night" type music... If that is your idea of Kayak, then this is a most welcome return and it'll be a 5 star CD. For me, I was hoping something more adventorous... hence the 3 star rating.

"Close to the fire" is a great come-back CD of a great Dutch band. The title track is among the best things they ever recorded. Stand out tracks: Crusader, Frozen flame and the remake of Ruthless Queen. The celebrated their come-back with a very successful Dutch tour and with a brand new live album recorded during their Close To The Fire-Tour. For the Kayak-fans around the world: later this year there will be a new studio CD !

After years of absence Kayak is back and how.... A great album of a great Dutch band, as if they never have been away. They deserve to be bought and listened to. Try their older albums of the seventies too. I think you won't be disappointed if you like prog-symphonic music.

R-J's advise: make some time and listen to their music.

Kayak, Close to the fire gives you a whole new look on music, they have some of the most catchy songs that i have ever heard on this album. Crusader is a wonderful song with a great upbeat tempo. And then there are the Wonderful ballads such as Frozen Flame, Where hearts grow cold, and Anybody's child. I also appreciated the song Full Circle. This cd is flawless, every song on it has its own Melody and sound, making it one of the best Unknown albums in history.