Search - David Arkenstone :: Return of the Guardians

Flaws are in words, not music

Holly Ingraham | Honolulu, HI USA | 04/02/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

A brilliant finish for the trilogy

Javier Navas | Milenrama, Madrid | 01/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Absolutely Wonderful

trace-man@usa.net | Indianapolis, Indiana | 04/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."