Kamelot - Karma (2001)

With the last couple of albums I've listened to, I've had to try and "push" myself to really appreciate them, and the eventual three and a half star ratings I have given to them have been more along the line of "I'm sure they are really good, and I should be able to really appreciate them one day", rather than from actual, genuine enjoyment.  As a result, I've been feeling a bit dejected about my whole power metal endeavour.
So can Kamelot come to the rescue?
To a degree. In the end, I'm giving this album the same rating I gave Elvenking and Sonata Arctica, but I certainly enjoyed this more, and found it far more accessable. Such songs as "Forever" and "Across The Highlands" are amongst the band's best work, while the ballad "Don't You Cry" (devoted to guitarist Thomas Youngblood's father, who died when Thomas was very young) is very nice, and Khan's voice is excellent throughout. No, this is still no classic in my view, but it is a very worthy listen from a group who has got gradually better as their career has grown.

***1/2