Kayak

Like fellow proggers Genesis, the late '70s saw Kayak make an abrupt shift to glossy but thin radio-friendly pop. Though Koopman remains as a lyricist and arranger, the rhythm section of has been replaced by the quite conventional bassist Charles Schouten and drummer Theo De Jong. The ostinato bass and hi-hat on "I Want You To Be Mine," for one, smell strongly of a discoteque. "Ballad for a Lost Friend" shows an increasing predilection for Queen-like bombast by the guitarist, though it and "Still My Heart Cries for You" do revive some of the band's old aggressive sense of dynamics. But more typical is the bland closing instrumental, "Irene." There's a certain coldness to the proceedings, and the band's virtuousity has been watered down for easy digestion. Though not a bad pop album on its own merits, it's likely to alienate fans of their early work. (This U.S. issue is significantly different from the European version, sharing only a few tracks in common.) ~ Paul Collins, All Music Guide