Prog Radio | Album Review | ''The Guardians'' by Cyan

Album Review

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4.5

Stars

The Guardians

Cyan

612

"The Guardians" is the latest release from Robert Reed’s current formation of his band, Cyan. While it includes three tracks recorded during the sessions for "Pictures From the Other Side," this album is much more than just a collection of outtakes.

The opening track, "The Guardians Of Your Destiny," is a nearly 25-minute epic featuring stunning vocals from Pete Jones and Angharad Brinn. This sweeping, dynamic piece delivers the peaks and valleys you’d expect from a great progressive rock epic.

The second track, "All Around The World" (7:00), also features Jones and Brinn on vocals and includes a brilliant guitar solo from Luke Machin. This song was originally recorded in 2005 by an all-star prog cast for a special charity release.

It’s easy to dismiss this album as merely a bonus CD for "Pictures From the Other Side," but don’t be fooled—"The Guardians" is far from filler. Every note on this album serves a purpose... it’s a gem that shouldn’t be overlooked.

The album concludes with the instrumental "Cyan" (6:37), which is a blend of two pieces Cyan performed when the band first formed in 1984. Reed commented, "It’s amazing to hear the track performed by the current Cyan line-up." Jones shines on the saxophone, and Reed’s keyboards are as captivating as ever.

It’s easy to dismiss this album as merely a bonus CD for "Pictures From the Other Side," but don’t be fooled—"The Guardians" is far from filler. Every note on this album serves a purpose. In fact, it could have stood alone as a completely new release with the addition of perhaps just one more track.

I wasn’t expecting this album to be so impressive, but it’s a gem that shouldn’t be overlooked. Prog Radio is excited to feature much of it in our New Music rotation, as well as in Monday’s "What’s New Proggy Cats?" show.

Rating: 4.5 Stars