Many years ago, a fellow music collector once told me that the absolute worst kind of progressive rock was the type that Rousseau is peddling on Flower in Asphalt. Of course he enjoyed more dissonant music, whether it be free jazz to avant prog onto experimental electronic. We shared a common love for things like Krautrock and complex prog rock (he certainly enjoyed bands like Yes, Genesis, and Gentle Giant for example). But Rousseau? Go away with that stuff. I bring this up, because I see his viewpoint in more than a few contemporary online reviews. So he was hardly alone.
My take is the complete opposite. I love the instrumental melodic approach the band takes here. Beautifully written with superb electric guitar and flute. Certainly Camel is the main influence here, and that's more than fine with me. It's true that the majority of the keyboards are some kind of late 70s string synthesizer, but that's OK with me too. It may all be a bit simplistic, but it's something I enjoy hearing over and over. And I've felt that way now going on 30 years. And I would think even the most hardened prog fan could appreciate the multiple themed 'Dancing Leaves'. A top level album for me.
Ownership: LP: 1980 Steyrer Disco. Single sleeve. Online acquisition from Japan (2013).
CD: 1990 Musea. This was my introduction to the album and band - and was purchased upon release. Has a nice history and some photos. No bonus tracks though.
I have a personal history with the band as well, which I tell in the entry for Retreat. Certainly that also factors into my overall feeling about their first two albums.
1991 (first listen); 1995; 4/23/10; 6/17/22 (review / new entry)
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