In their first period Camel released four albums, the weaker self-titled debut was followed by "Mirage", "Snow Goose" and "Moonmadness", perhaps the band's three most important releases.

"Often called Camel's best album, Moonmadness is an impressive one. Most of it has a "spacey" or "atmospheric" sonic texture that is completely different from the feel of Camel's previous albums. It features some impressive instrumental complex parts, reverberated, echoing electric guitars (perhaps in the style of Pink Floyd's Shine on You Crazy Diamond), and a significant shift to synthesizers. This is a classic progressive album, although the music leans a little towards fusion." (magenta.co.il/camel/)