RETREAT

Three long years have passed between their debut album and their second opus. While "Flower In Asphalt" was a full intrumental album, this one will feature some vocal tracks. Don't worry too much though. Of course Ruppik is not the greatest singer on earth (there won't be a lot of great German singer) but I've heard lots of poorest ones.

Between you and me, I prefer their instrumental style. But since not too many vocals will be featured, they won't drag this album to the bottom part of the scheme, far from it.

"One Of A Thousand", "Incomplete" feature some lyrics. The interpretation is on the soft side, like if the singer wouln't want to disturb the nice musical arrangements. The latter is almost folkish.

This album is also not so much a "suite-type" album like "Flower". It is more a collection of songs with a different personality. "L'Age D'Or" is a brilliant, dynamic and passionate opener (even featuring a Santana-like guitar solo !)while "Café Crême" is a fully acoustic guitar oriented reflecting a very soft appraoch.

The next trio of songs are probably the most beautiful ones on this record "China", "Yago" (the longest piece) and "Windsong" (particularly this one). Of course, they sound 100 % as Camel ones, but this aspect of their work was already to be noticed on their debut album. So, there is little surprise that Rousseau keeps surfing on the same and pleasant wave. It is also impossible not to mention this fact while reviewing this album.

Some might feel that this effort sounds too much like "Flower" but I just believe that it is the charm of this band. Just listen to the catchy and emotional "Breakfast at Tiffany's ". Another highlight, for sure.

The closing number is the only poor one. As bad as Camel was sounding in the late seventies. It's funny that Rousseau picked up this side of their music (they could have avoided it, IMO).

Rousseau found their style and wanted to stick to it (even if it is deeply influence by another band). When it is good, there is absolutely no harm. I will use the same rating as for their previous effort : four stars for this very melodic and peaceful record. Very optimistic tone, I have to say.