FLOWER IN ASPHALT

If, like me, you are a bit orphan of Camel's wonderful instrumental songs featuring lush keyboards, sweet and emotional guitar parts and some melodic flute interludes; then yes : Rousseau is for you.

This all-instrumental album is a collection of extremely symphonic songs. Relatively short (only one song over eight minutes) but that's OK. The one flows so nicely into the other one that the whole "Flower In Asphalt" journey is very pleasant. Peaceful and tranquil but not boring. OK, "Glockenrock" and its percussion solo is probably the weakest link.

If you like "The Snow Goose", there is no reason for you to wait and discover this abum. I would even say that this a better one (don't lay into my tooth and nail for this; I really feel so). Rousseau is able to keep the listener's attention for the whole of this (short) album. At times, I felt a bit disappointed with "Snow" (for the details about it, you can read my specific review, if you feel like). Nothing as such here.

This must be one of the most symphonic album I have ever heard. Of course, you'll need to be in the mood. To accept almost forty minutes of the utter tranquility is maybe a difficult exercise but it is really rewarding in this case. Rousseau is of course not very well- known. But so are the majority of the bands featured on this site. So, do an effort, please ! Grab this album and have a listen.

At least, this is true prog (as it ought to be listed on PA) and this album is a gem that is worth investigating. It is typically the album that needs to be listened to as a whole although "Entrée" is my fave. I guess due to the gorgeous flute (yes I lke this instrument an awful lot). "Dancing Leaves" is the most (and only) Genesis-oriented song ("Watcher". Would you believe ?). A highlight as well.

Four stars.