Kayak ~ Netherlands

Starlight Dancer (1977) 

So the US press of Starlight Dancer is neither the album Starlight Dancer, nor does it represent the cover. This compilation pulls tracks from the namesake album along with another release entitled The Last Encore. It's the latter that provides the artwork. There's one unique track 'Ballad for a Lost Friend' that was later released as a B-side to a 45 in their home county of the Netherlands. I have no idea what the American label was thinking here. Anyone who would hear this, would want to listen to both albums in full anyway. And that would be my case. I have some thoughts about Kayak for their 1981 opus Merlin (see below). I'd always presumed Kayak to have gone completely pop rock by this era, and then resurged on Merlin. But that's not the case. Kayak were oddly progressive still, just not overtly so. Not that they ever were (so progressive). Once again, The Alan Parsons Project comes to mind when hearing this, and one begins to wonder who influenced who? Well certainly I now need to hear the two albums in full that make up this comp.

Source: 1977 Janus (LP). Promo.

5/10/21 (review)

 

Merlin (1981)

Merlin is perhaps the ultimate example of an album that needs a prelude that reads something like: For 1981.... As in "For 1981, this was a great progressive rock album." But it certainly wouldn't be considered such for 1973... or 2016 for that matter. And in reality, there was plenty of great progressive rock in 1981 - it's just few knew about it (Dun, Eskaton, and Kultivator are hardly household names for anyone but hardcore prog rock nerds). For a relatively mainstream band like Kayak (though for Americans they always had more of a cult-like following, rather than being a true commercial smash hit group), putting out a semi concept album around the legend of King Arthur is as anachronistic as it gets (in 1981?). No matter that the album sounds like the Alan Parsons Project (another for 1981 type band) with its blend of radio friendly pop and semi-prog rock ambition. It's certainly a pleasant album that grows on you over time, and one can easily see the allure, especially for fans at the time. But with history on our side, it's hard to imagine this one capturing fans of future generations. Of course, the original fans will likely state its masterpiece status. We all do that with favorites from our youth, yours truly no exception to that rule.

Former ownership: 2011 Belle Antique (CD). Papersleeve edition. Acquired in 2016. Downsized in 2019.

11/12/16 (review)

 

Kayak (1974)

The second album expands both sides of Kayak's sound. There's more of a distinct demarcation between their commercial pop aspirations and their arty progressive side. The poppier songs are tighter with stronger melodies, whereas the progressive compositions stretch the instrumental sections with plenty of complex bits. Arguably this is the better album, though I'm partial to See See the Sun as it has a better flow and a couple of knockout tracks.

I also really like the cover, which is very Hipgnosis-like.

Ownership: 

1974 Harvest UK (LP). Upgraded in 2024. First purchased in 2014.

2012 Esoteric (CD). Booklet with liner notes and two bonus tracks. Acquired in 2012.

10/7/12 (new entry)

See See the Sun (1973)

Kayak were about three years ahead of their time, whereby mixing pop music and progressive rock seamlessly. Their sound – as brought forth by others of course - would ultimately dominate American FM radio throughout the late 1970s, yet Kayak were nothing more than an aficionados pick for best band you’d never heard of. What’s most interesting, to me anyway, is that Kayak were the blueprint for the Midwest Progressive Rock sound that I frequently speak about here on UMR, and yet Kayak were not a band from St. Louis or Chicago – but rather from the distant Netherlands, a country more known for the quirky sounds of Focus or Golden Earring. While there is no doubting Kayak’s fondness for current era Yes, Kayak also pay homage to a number of popular bands including no less luminaries such as The Beatles. Alan Parsons’ contribution to this album can only be seen as an influence on the young engineer’s future career. Organ, mellotron, shifting signatures, and long tracks assure its progressive credibility, but in the end Kayak were pioneers of a later sound – one that wasn’t necessarily embraced by all, but for certain was popular in the arenas of the day. One track worth calling out is the stunning beauty of ‘Lovely Luna’ (A4).

---6/3/26

This album continues to improve in my world. A1 is very Yes-like, and one of the highlights here. A3 and the title track are also superlative. A4 remains my favorite, and is truly a 5 star song. The bonus track is the B-side to 'Lyrics' and is very much in league with the album proper. 

Ownership:

1973 Harvest UK (LP). Single sleeve. Acquired in 2014.

2012 Esoteric (CD). Booklet with liner notes, photos, and one bonus track. Acquired in 2012.

2009; 9/28/12 (review); 4/18/18; 6/3/26

Previously owned: Royal Bed Bouncer

9/29/12 (new entry)