Not the best, but still good nonetheless
victor_meldrew | Toronto | 09/04/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album was probably the last of the classic early set from Caravan. Although missing Richard Sinclair (ably replaced by Mike Wedgwood) this still has all the hallmarks of a typical Caravan album: from the folk, jazz and rock licks to the clever and witty lyrics. Also this album is probably one of the better productions in sound quality. The opening track is a good test for any hi-fi system with Richard Coughlan's ride cymbal slithering over a rumbling bass.All-in-all a very good offering and thoroughly recommended."
Not So Stunning
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 09/24/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Like many other reviewers, I am of two minds about Cunning Stunts. Though there is a lot to like here, there is also some real pop-laden rubbish. While one reviewer's comment that some songs reminded him of Bobby Goldsboro is a little over the top, I can agree that for the most part Cunning Stunts drifts away from the prog foundation that made me like the band in the first place.
I was a Caravan fan back in high school and own several of their earlier albums. Recently, while also buying new music, I have been picking up CDs of albums I never heard but always to own and for some reason never got around to buying. This was one of those. So when I saw a remastered version of this listed by an amazon partner at a good price, I ordered it right away and received it within three days.
Why own Cunning Stunts? Well, unless you are a die-hard fan of the band, there is no compelling reason to buy. Its truly not so stunning though the title be cunning. Two songs, one of them a bonus cut, make this a CD I'll at least play occasionally. A couple of others are merely decent. The best song here is the bonus cut For Richard, but even this vacillates between some very good prog passages and pure musical twaddle. Ditto for the second best which is entitled the Dabsong Conshirto. No Backstage Pass and Welcome the Day are very listenable, but there isn't a hint of prog in them. As for the rest, well.....you decide!
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