Cyan - Pictures From The Other Side

Year of Release: 1994
Label: SI
Catalog Number: SIMPly 54
Format: CD
Total Time: 60:47:00

Robert Reed offered his first recording For King And Country under the pseudonym Cyan. On his second album, Pic-tures From The Other Side, Reed again plays all the instru-ments. But this time uses the lead vocal of Nigel Voyle as a nice counterpoint to his unique music, drenched in the sympho of the seventies but with it's roots firmly in the early Marillion period (Voyle was a close runner up to Steve Hogarth in joining Marillion when Fish left the band).

There are still links with Mike Oldfield and tubular bell-like melodies find their way into "The Guardians" where some stun-ning keyboardwork mixes with ace guitar work close to Pendra-gon. Something that would be a real knockout live, this one! Title track "Pictures From The Other Side" comes very close to the Jadis trademark with Voyle's voice close to Gary Chandler. There's even some nice flutework (probably done on synth) and a swirling organ solo that both could both be the work of Martin Orford. Ace!

Next to the longer tracks, Cyan has included some shorter, radio-friendly songs. "Solitary Angel" is a splendid ballad with a very strong chorus sung in pure Alison Moyet fashion. In "Broken Man" the extra backing vocals of Christina Maria Murphy work so well you could think it's Renaissance! The choir sounds bombastic but very powerful which blends perfect-ly with the opera-like ending. In "Follow The Flow," Voyle sings in the same style as Tracy Hitchings making it a bit of a musical-type of song. You could in fact also compare it with some of the work by Meatloaf where build-up is concerned. Finally we come to the absolute highlight, the most classical inspired piece of them all: "Nosferatu" with opera voice Ann Morgan as a nice contrast to the fierce keyboards. The song evolves into a typical IQ structure, although the guitar sound remains very close to Oldfield. A treat for all lovers of REAL symphonic rock.

Tracklisting:
The Guardians (12:00) / Pictures From The Other Side (6:16) / Solitary Angel (4:19) / Broken Man (6:08) / All Around The World (6:47) / Tomorrow's Here Today (7:47) / Follow The Flow (3:04) / Nosferatu (14:03)

Musicians:
Robert Reed - guitars, keyboards, bass, vocals
Nigel Voyle - lead vocals
Christina Maria Murphy - vocals
Ann Morgan - opera solo (6)
Andy Edwards - guitar

Discography:
For King And Country (1993)
Pictures From The Other Side (1994)
Remastered (1997)
Echoes (1999)
The Creeping Vine (1999)
For King And Country (2021)

Genre: Symphonic Prog

Origin UK

Added: April 19th 2001
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: m.facebook.com/people/Cyan/100070126205736/
Hits: 3394
Language: english