Kev Rowland - Feedback Magazine
Guy’s
sixth album saw him make the move away from Cyclops to Progrock Records, and
while this was Malcolm’s loss, Shawn must have welcomed Guy with open arms as
this concept album sees him at his strongest so far. He has brought with him the
band that he has used previously, and Andy Tillison even joins in on a couple of
songs. Guy has a style that can only be described as ‘English’, bringing in the
influences he grew up with and mixing it up with his own ideas to create music
that at times is evocative of Ian Anderson, at others Peter Hammill and others
Roy Harper. The full title of the album is ‘A Matter Of Life And Death (The
Journal Of Abel Mann)’, a character he introduced on his debut album, and is
exactly what the title describes, a journey through his journal. It is a very
paced album, full of layers that is meant to be savoured. This isn’t over the
top bombastic prog, but something that is meant to be listened to many times and
really enjoyed.