Reviewed by Bob Keeley
When Cyan released their excellent recent second album, Pictures from the Other Side, they had a couple of tracks left over: the 25-minute “The Guardians of Our Destiny” and the 7-minute “All Around the World.” Robert Reed (Magenta,) primary composer and leader of the band, put these two tracks, as well as a track combining a pair of new recordings of instrumentals the original band used to play, on a mini-album called The Guardians. Of course, “mini” has to be put in perspective; it is about as long as many classic albums, The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper and the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds to name only two. Nonetheless, it seems that this is not designed to be Cyan’s third album. It is more of a bonus or a companion EP. The music fits nicely with the music from Pictures and features exactly the same band as well as Angharad Brinn, the singer who joined Pete Jones (Tiger Moth Tales and Camel) on many of the songs on Pictures and gave that album such a unique and wonderful sound.
The opening track, “The Guardians of Your Destiny,” which takes up most of the EP, has everything we’ve come to expect from Cyan; melodic instrumental sections, fantastic vocals, a narrative set of lyrics, and intriguing arrangements melding soaring lead guitar lines with equally exciting synth, organ and piano sections. Robert Reed’s compositions are the star here. While the playing and the singing is top-notch, as always with Reed, the melodies themselves are what stand out.
“All Around the World” is a twelve-string-guitar-driven track that once again features the dual vocals of Jones and Brinn. Not nearly as complex as the epic opener, it has an excellent guitar solo at the three-minute mark which then gently slides back into the sung chorus urging us to “let our voices be heard.” This builds to a high-powered false ending followed by a great synth solo to take us out. What starts out as a gentle, seemingly inconsequential little tune ends up as a significant addition to the Cyan catalog.
Finally, the instrumental “Cyan” closes things on a pleasant note giving all the instrumentalists, including Pete Jones on sax, a chance to shine. While The Guardians is not a “major statement” from Cyan, it is also not just for completists. It stands as an outstanding second disc to their fine album, Pictures from the Other Side. I for one, am glad that these tracks are now available for all of us to enjoy.
1.The Guardians Of Your Destiny 24:46
2.All Around The World 07:00
3.Cyan 06:37
Pre-order here: https://tigermothhosting.co.uk/CYANCD2023/index.html
