Camel

Can someone tell me if Rain Dances(the album right after Monnmadness) is any good? I heard a couple tracks I liked from it on A Live Record, but I've been hesistant to pick it up because I've heard many times that nothing after Moonmadness is worth owning. Does anyone hear like that album?
 
Rain Dances is very good. That wa actually the first Camel album I got.. One of my favorites.. as well as Moonmadness, and Snow Goose
 
I had a few camel mp3s at my old job and loved 'em! I'm getting some more right now..

As for some of Mikael's other influences.. has anyone gotten into Premiata Forneria Marconi (sp?) (PFM usually) - on Nebularus' site (Opeth's Domain) he has some album reviews by Mikael who had some very positive things to say!!

(Needless to say, check out River of Life by them..)