Time of Legends

Progressive rock trio Cairo's third release should provide heaps of entertainment for those who enjoy the multi-layered keyboard inventions of ELP, Yes, and many of the fabled '70s and early-'80s British Canterbury Scene aggregations. Here, the band garners assistance from guitarist Brian Hutchinson, bassist John Evans, and others, as the outfit's modus operandi consists of memorably melodic hooks intermingled with keyboardist Mark Robertson's textured synth soundscapes, Bret Douglas' buoyant vocals, and drummer Jeff Brockman's polyrhythmic fills and disciplined rhythmic structures. Overall, the musicians convey a luminous demeanor, brimming with cleverly arranged motifs and purposeful soloing amid a bevy of well-placed twists and turns to coincide with a series of affecting opuses and lyrically rich themes. Thus, the band's tasteful concoction of previously applied concepts melded into a contemporary or novel sound and style makes for a thoroughly engaging listening experience. — progressive rock lovers should find quite a bit to be revved up about with this craftily arranged and altogether compelling presentation.