Customer Reviews

Return of the Guardians

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The music is all good, even if 'Trail of Tears' and 'Chosen Voices' sort of run together. It's just often completely disconnected from the titles, even more so from the programme story, which doesn't key to all the selections or at least not in the proper order. The skippity-bop beat of 'Trail of Tears' doesn't even suit a 'Trail of Pouting'; to attach it to a phrase of so much death and loss as the Trail of Tears of the Cherokee Removal seems utterly ignorant and disrespectful. The phrase isn't entirely pulled out of the air: the cut has a distinct Native American ambiance. Absolutely the weakest Arkenstone album I've heard, which means still miles ahead of most, and the only one in which I've heard him flirt with Middle Eastern themes.

What can you expect from David Arkenstone to finish the trilogy he opened with his all-time masterpiece but a great ending...? This CD incorporates elements enough to take it as seriously as any other of his works.

Although in the beginning I thought this record wasn't better than only trying following up the synthesiser style of the first half of 'In The Wake of the Wind', I ended up very soon thinking it was almost as good as its predecessor.

Grey, misty sounding and superb, 'The Forgotten Lands' is surprisingly original and beautiful in the use of the piano and so much other instruments. It's one of his best tunes ever, poetic and very distant from anything else not only Arkenstone, but every other composer I know has made. 'Two Hearts' is weaker and predictable as a romantic track.

'The Mask' is great in its bass line, enigmatic and dark. 'The Chosen Voices' sounds very powerful and mistic, showing the grandness this composer knows how to create. 'Winds of Change' is very joyful and refreshing, but when it keeps on it gets to be one of the serious best tracks of the album.

The closing track, 'Reunion', is cheerful and optimistic again, but the best one of the album, undoubtedly, is the terrificly huge and changing, divided in two 'Water of Life'. Here, David shows how far he can get in expressing a radical inner change, with all the energy, passion and impulse of a new beginning. Not to miss this track, for it's rarely overcome by other Arkenstone's tracks. It's wonderful, and even more in the part where the choir and drums explode.

Anyway, although not as much orchestral and easy listening as 'In The Wake of The Wind', this record steps near it for the keeping of the inspiration with which it was made.

This was my first David Arkenstone CD; I promise both you, the reader, and Mr. Arkenstone that it won't be my last. I fell in love with this CD immediately. If I was stranded on that proverbial deserted island and had only 3 CD's to listen to forever, Return Of The Guardians would be one of the three.

I really can't add anything that hasn't been said above, except for this: If you are one of those people, like me, who likes to listen to several David Arkenstone CDs in a row, turn the volume down slightly when this one begins to play. It was recorded at a slightly higher volume than the rest, and I always come close to blowing out my speakers. Just a word of warning.

This is really different from Arkenstone's previous works. It has a more exotic quality to it, and uses more instruments. The violin also has a central part in a lot of the music, and is played beautifully. You'll here a lot from the choir, usually filing in the background but sometimes with a melody. (In some of the tracks it sounds like they're singing something, kind of Sanskrit-sounding, especially in Water of Life. Does anyone know if this is anything but syllables?) My favorites are Border Journey, a hypnotic piece for violin and a lot of stringed instruments; The Forgotten Lands, with liquid soprano sax solos, piano, and synth and choir background; and an all-time Arkenstone favorite, Water of Life, in which a beautiful choral opening breaks into a haunting, rhapsodic piece that fades out with wordless choir. Like of Arkenstone's music, this appeals not to the intellect but to the imagination, conveying images of far-away places and times. Best for sitting back and visualizing your own fantasy. Ignore the one in the liner notes.

The reason it only gets four stars is that it does have some weak tracks: Trail of Tears, a tuneless, meandering piece that goes nowhere, and Mask, a relentless repetition of a single melody which isn't very good to begin with. Chosen Voices and Two Hearts are kind of bland. But if you like this artist's work, this CD is essential.

This is pretty much a flawless album from David Arkenstone. He can do no wrong on any of the releases I have from him. A true professional musician with a great musical vision. He always incorporates different musical elements in his music. Always something new album to album. If you're new to David Arkenstone, get this one and "In the Wake of the Wind." Worth a listen.

His use of melodies really compliments the overall theme of the disk. It has its own distinct feel as much so as In the Wake of the Wind or Spirit Wind. Although the first song sounds a little choppy the rest compliments each other well, especially the last two songs, which really close it off with a flourish. I would recommend giving this a try!

This was the final installment of the trilogy, which has been explained by everyone before me. There's not really much bad to say here. The music was well done, and the story was great, as usual. However, it's difficult to distinguish on track from another. Only 2 tracks stood out to me. Two Hearts, as close as you can come to a ballad without putting words on it, and simply beautiful to boot. The other being Trail Of Tears, a dark piece that reminded me a lot of Enigma's first album, minus the chanting. Still, it's practically required listening for anyone who loves a little storytelling in their music.

Again David Arkenstone weaves a magical story in words and music. The one thing that everyone forgets is that "In The Wake Of The Wind","Quest of the Dream Warrior" and "Return Of The Guardians" Is a musical triology and tells a very intresting story if you listen to all three.

This was my first album and I recommend this very much. The variety and richness is hard to find. Three of my friends have purchased this album after listening to it. Bravo!