Kansas is one of those bands "new wave" set out to destroy. Their music was loud, complicated, and lyrically more than just three minute boy meets girl laments. Heck it was almost pretentious. At their peak they filled arenas, and now they're considered one of those dinosaur bands that is dead, but doesn't have the sense to fall over and stay down.

Like a lot of people I knew them as the band who played Dust in the Wind, and Carry On Wayward Son, but didn't know much else. So how come I have so many Kansas albums? I was a little kid in 1974 when their first LP came out, so it isn't like I'm waxing nostalgic over their past glory, by the time I jumped on the band wagon it was already starting to slow down. The first Kansas record I bought was Audio Visions. Relentless was a rock song that blew me away. Frankly I didn't know that most of their music was long meandering progressive rock. However, even that stuff eventually grew on me. So I started picking up their older albums. Pretty soon I had them all. There's a lot of good music to be heard, and I guess I'm different that most fans in that I like them more for their later work, than their early ground breaking efforts.

Kansas (©1974 Kirshner / CBS)

the songs: Can I Tell You / Bringing It Back / Lonely Wind / Belexes / Journey From Mariabronn / The Pilgrimage / Apercu / Death of Mother Nature Suite

The debut album by Kansas. It's almost not fair to judge this album by today's standards. If I had been one of those who got this when it was new, I'm sure I would have been totally amazed. In fact as I listen to this I am amazed that music this different actually found an audience (I guess I'm applying today's standards - what do I know about the musical climate of 1974?). Sonically the songs don't hold up all that well, but to fans of progressive rock this album is a milestone. It's not really my cup of tea, but it is a classic album.

Song for America (©1975 Sony)

the songs: Down the Road / Song For America / Lamplight Symphony / Lonely Street / The Devil Game / Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman

It's an odd thing to hear these songs 25 years after they were released, and still feel like going "ooh" and "ah". This was their second release and it features a number of classic songs that have been able to stand the test of time. Sure some of the sounds may be somewhat dated, but the music is full of passion. They came a long way from their first release. It's hard to picture in today's climate where an artist can go a couple of years between releases that the classic Kansas line-up at their peak released an impressive body of work in only a few short years.

Reviewed December 21, 2001

Masque (©1975 Sony)

the songs: It Takes A Woman's Love (To Make A Man) / Two Cents Worth / Icarus - Born Of Wings of Steel / All the World / Child of Innocence / It's You / Mysteries and Mayhem / The Pinnacle

I finally broke down and replaced my vinyl version - dang if this isn't one of the more expensive Kansas albums to get - when I finally bought in on disc it was only available as an import from Japan. Which boggles the mind - as this is one of their best albums.

This one holds up pretty well sound-wise too. Considering the number classic songs here - Icarus, The Pinnacle (to name a couple), I am totally baffled by the decision to not make this available except as an import. The rest of their catalog is in print and sells reasonably well from what I understand.

Enough complaining already - this isn't a review just a bitching session at Sony for keeping this album at arms length from the fans who want it.

Reviewed November 13, 2000

Leftoverture (©1976 Kirshner)

the songs: Carry On Wayward Son / The Wall / What's On My Mind / Miracles Out Of Nowhere / Opus Insert / Questions Of My Childhood / Cheyenne Anthem / Magnum Opus (Father Padilla Meets The Perfect Gnat / Howling At The Moon / Man Overboard / Industry On Parade / Release The Beavers / Gnat Attack)

This is the album that really broke things open for Kansas. From the opening riff, you knew that this was going to be something special. In the three years since their debut, the boys really got their chops down. Of course looking back over more than two decades there are signs that some of the music borders on obnoxious, but boy howdy when they were on they were something to behold. The production holds up pretty well, and I'd still rather crank this up and open the windows than listen to the latest Back Street Boys single. Somehow I just don't see people talking about the cutie pie boy bands twenty five years from now.

Point of Know Return (©1977 Kirshner)

the songs: Point of Know Return / Paradox / The Spider / Portrait (He Knew) / Closet Chronicles / Lightning's Hand / Dust In The Wind / Sparks of the Tempest / Nobody's Home / Hopelessly Human

Point of Know Return is considered by many to be the Kansas masterpiece. It is a good album, bordering on great, but it's not my favourite Kansas album. The songwriting is probably the most cohesive of any Kansas album, as it appears, from the credits as least, that Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren were actually writing together. Don't get me wrong there are a number of great songs here, not the least of which is Dust In The Wind. Portrait, Point of Know Return, Closet Chronicles are all excellent songs.

Reviewed May 26, 2000

Two For the Show (©1978 Kirshner)

the songs: Song for America / Point of Know Return / Paradox / Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel / Portrait (He Knew) / Carry On Wayward Son / Journey from Mariabronn / Dust in the Wind / Lonely Wind / Mysteries and Mayhem / Excerpt from Lamplight Symphony / The Wall / Magnum Opus

Live albums can be a mixed bag. Sometimes they're so rough they're basically glorified bootlegs, other times they sound like studio albums with crowd noise added for effect.

This album captures Kansas at the height of their popularity. The sound quality is excellent, and the band breathes life into songs that at times were missing "that spark" on the studio versions. Due to space limitations Closet Chronicles was cut from the CD release, but thankfully it was added to the recent re-release of their "best of" album.

Two for the Show is one of my favourite Kansas albums. The songs hold up surprisingly well, and showcase a band that was more than just a bunch of prog-rocker self indulgent posers.

Reviewed August 13, 2001

Monolith (©1979 Kirshner)

the songs: On the Other Side / People of the South Wind / Angels Have Fallen / How My Soul Cries Out for You / A Glimpse of Home / Away From You / Stay Out of Trouble / Reason to Be

Another great album, bordering on brilliant. This was their first crack at producing themselves in the studio. I've read that many fans feel this album signalled the end of the band. They may have a point - in hindsight it was the beginning of the commercial decline for the band. Their platinum days were at an end. Monolith would go gold, as would Audio Visions but that was it so far as being in the big leagues.

Me? I like this one. Even the ultra-cheesy intro to A Glimpse of Home (which sounds like the theme to a B-grade SF flick) doesn't kill the rest of the song - although it comes close. Of course it doesn't hurt that a couple of my favourite Kansas songs are on this one: On The Other Side, and People of the South Wind.

Reviewed August 18, 2001

Audio Visions (©1980 Legacy / Epic)

the songs: Relentless / Anything For You / Hold On / Loner / Curtain of Iron / Got to Rock On / Don't Open Your Eyes / No One Togther / No Room For A Stranger / Back Door

Audio Visions was first real exposure to Kansas. A buddy brought a cassette version over to my house and played Relentless for me. I was blown away. I bought the album, and quickly grew to love the shorter straight ahead rock songs.

Now twenty years later Relentless still rocks, and I finally appreciate the band, and those longer not so straight ahead rock songs. Tensions in the band were pretty high, and Steve would leave the band after this album. Many fans blow this record off, and to that I say shame on you - you're missing out. There are a lot of great tunes buried here. Curtain of Iron ranks right up there among their best stuff.

Reviewed August 2, 2001

Vinyl Confessions (©1982 Legacy / Epic)

the songs:Play The Game Tonight / Right Away / Fair Exchange / Chasing Shadows / Diamonds and Pearls / Face It / Windows / Borderline / Play On / Crossfire

This is when I started getting in to Kansas. At the time the only other Kansas album I had was Audio Visions, so I wasn't all that familiar with the band or their history. So when Steve Walsh left I wasn't too put out. Perhaps I'm not the biggest progressive rock fan, since as Kansas became more of a straight ahead rock band I enjoyed their music more. Like him or not young John did bring a new set of tools to the band, and during his brief stint in the band he was part of some excellent music. As the years have gone by I've become a very big fan of Kerry Livgren, John Elefante, as well as Steve Walsh.

Drastic Measures (©1983 Legacy / Epic)

the songs: Fight Fire with Fire / Everybody's My Friend / Mainstream / Andi / Going Through the Motions / Get Rich / Don't Take Your Love Away / End of the Age / Incident on a Bridge

The second Kansas album to feature John Elefante on lead vocals. For many fans this album and its predecessor Vinyl Confessions were low watermarks for the band. Well all I can say to that is bully to you. I wore out two vinyl versions of this baby, and waited years for the CD release. This is a great rock album.

What did the faithful Kansas fans hate about this album? Six of the nine songs were penned by John; Robby left and took his violin with him; and this sure doesn't sound like the early Kansas stuff. Too bad. I only wish there were more than nine songs to listen to. This album was recorded a while back now, and it still sounds pretty fresh (to me anyway).

The Best of Kansas (©1984 CSB Associated)

the songs: Carry On Wayward Son / Point Of Know Return / Fight Fire With Fire / Dust In The Wind / Song For America / Perfect Lover / Hold On / No One Together / Play The Game Tonight / The Wall

This is an excellent album, and most of the song are here that you would expect. There are some glaring omissions such as People of the Southwind, and how come there isn't something from Masque? Perfect Lover is a new song from the Elefante era and is one of my favourite songs from this album. Overall, a solid introduction to the music of a great band.

Power (©1986 MCA)

the songs: Silhouettes in Disguise / Power / All I Wanted / Secret Service / We're Not Alone Anymore / Musicato / Taking in the View / Three Pretenders / Tomb 19 / Can't Cry Anymore

The first album with Steve Walsh behind the mike since Audio Visions. Guitar virtuoso Steve Morse joins the band this time out, and his playing is amazing throughout. There are a number of very good songs starting with the first cut, and this album really delivers the goods. Many were sad that Robby Steinhardt wasn't part of the rejuvenated band, but for me I like this album just the way it is.

Reviewed May 21, 2000

In The Spirit of Things (©1988 MCA)

the songs: Ghosts / One Big Sky / Inside of Me / One Man, One Heart / House of Fire / Once in a Lifetime / Stand Behind Me / I Counted on Love / The Preacher / Rainmaker / T.O. Witcher / Bells of Saint James

Another solid effort by Kansas. The collaborations between Walsh and Morse are very good, and there are a number of standout tracks here. Oddly enough there is a very spiritual feeling to this album, I guess that sort of ties into the title huh? I thought Steve originally left the band over Kerry's overtly spiritual leanings. This album proves that even old dogs can learn new tricks with songs like Ghosts, One Man, One Heart and Stand Beside Me. Longtime Kansas fans who shake their heads at this "new" band can take comfort that they still have it in them to make the occasional long meandering opus. Rainmaker, and Bells of Saint James are classic Kansas.

Reviewed May 21, 2000

Carry On (©1990 Sony Music Select)

the songs: Carry On Wayward Son / Can I Tell You / Two Cents Worth / Play The Game Tonight / People Of The Southwind / The Wall / It Takes a Woman's Love (To Make A Man) / Dust In The Wind / Don't Take Your Love Away / On The Other Side

Hey look, another "Best Of" album. This one features the songs you'd expect and a few that you wouldn't - like the two songs from Masque, and People of the Southwind. I found this for under five bucks at a Wal-Mart and I couldn't resist. Only three stars because it's a rehash, and the packaging is shoddy. The songs are great, and if you don't have anything by the band and can find the CD it's a good start.

Kansas (©1994 Epic / Legacy)

disc one: Can I Tell You (demo) / Death of Mother Nature Suite (previously unreleased live) / Journey From MariaBronn / Song for America / The Devil Game / Incomudro-Hymn to the Atman (previously unreleased live) / Child of Innocence / Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel / Mysteries and Mayhem / Pinnacle

disc two: Carry On Wayward Son / The Wall / What's On My Mind / Opus Insert / Magnum Opus / Point of Know Return / Portrait (He Knew) / Dust in the Wind / Closet Chronicles / People of the South Wind / On the Other Side (previously unreleased live) / A Glimpse of Home / Relentless / Loner / Hold On / Wheels (new recording)

This boxed set is truly a "best of" collection. Encompassing songs from all of their releases up to Steve's departure after Audio Visions. Some of the early songs are a tad dated, but the overall sense one gets after listening to the two CDs is wow. Wheels although a pretty good song, but doesn't really belong here. Nothing against David Ragsdale but does a song that doesn't feature the original members of the band really belong in this collection? As big a fan as I am of John Elefante I wouldn't think that Perfect Lover would have a home here either. A minor complaint, to an otherwise excellent collection.

Freaks of Nature (©1995 Interscope)

the songs: I Can Fly / Desperate Times / Hope Once Again / Black Fathom 4 / Under The Knife / Need / Freaks of Nature / Cold Grey Morning / Peaceful and Warm

Gone is Steve Morse, but the band picked up a new violin player in David Ragsdale. Jeff Glixman is once again sitting in the producer's chair. One gets the feeling that there's a desperate grab at past glory taking place this time around. You know what? The results are surprisingly solid. Steve's voice is showing signs of wear, but he still has a fair set of pipes. What really surprised me was the guitar playing of Rich Williams. I had always assumed that it was Kerry or later on Steve Morse who contributed the chops. Rich puts his second banana status to rest this time around. Sadly time has moved along, and there's no chance that these boys will ever fill arenas again, but they are still producing great music.

Always Never The Same (©1998 River North Records)

the songs: Elenor Rigby / Dust In The Wind / Preamble / Song For America / In Your Eyes / Miracles Out Of Nowhere / Hold On / The Sky Is Falling / Cheyenne Anthem / Prelude & Introduction / The Wall / Need To Know / Nobody's Home

This an album that would have astounded the world had it been released in 1978. Don't get me wrong, this is a good album, and I searched it out. The music fits well with the London Symphony Orchestra, and Steve's voice sounds really good. Back in the fold is Robby Steinhardt, and I must say it's good to hear his voice and violin again. There are some songs that I would have liked to hear, but I must applaud the band for not cranking out Carry On Wayward Son and some of their other well known songs. Although I would have loved hearing Point Of Know Return with the full symphony treatment. One of the surprises is the cover of Elenor Rigby. Who'd a thunk it - but it actually works.

Kansas (©1999 King Biscuit)

the songs: Magnum Opus / One Big Sky / Paradox / Point Of Know Return / The Wall / All I Wanted / T.O. Witcher / Dust In The Wind / Miracles Out Of Nowhere / The Preacher / House On Fire / Carry On Wayward Son

Taken from their 1989 tour, this is a fairly good live album. Steve's voice is really showing some wear this time around, by the time Carry On Wayward Son comes around Steve sounds like a throat cancer patient. As you would expect with a live album pretty much all of the hits are performed here.

I guess what bothered me in hindsight about the Steve Morse era, was that it seemed like it was Kansas featuring Steve Morse. There are some great moments on this CD, don't get me wrong, but I would have been a lot more impressed if I'd actually been there. Next time I listen to this I'll put on some headphones, crank it right up, close my eyes and pretend I'm there.

The Best of Kansas (©1999 Epic Associated / Legacy)

the songs: Carry On Wayward Son / Point Of Know Return / Fight Fire With Fire / Dust In The Wind / Song For America / Hold On / No One Together / Play The Game Tonight / The Wall / The Pinnacle / The Devil Game / Closet Chronicles

This repackaged version of the "Best Of" is superior to the 1984 version. The sound is better thanks to remastering by Jeff Glixman and Vic Anesini. Even the packaging is more detailed; and with the inclusion The Pinnacle (from Masque), The Devil Game, and the live version of Closet Chronicles (the song that was cut from the CD version of Two for the Show) this really is a "Best Of" sampling of Kansas' music. But why pull Perfect Lover? At 65 minutes, there was plenty room for another 4 minute song, heck they might have managed to squeeze People of the Southwind in too and made the CD definitive. Shame shame. If they wanted to pull the Elefante songs why not pull all of them? From what I've read out there, I'm not the only one who thinks the guys in the band miscalculated when they dropped the exclusive track from the original release. The only fly in the ointment on an otherwise excellent album.

Somewhere To Elsewhere (©2000 Magna Carta)

the songs: Icarus II / When The World Was Young / Grand Fun Alley / The Coming Dawn (Thanatopsis) / Myriad / Look At The Time / Disappearing Skin Tight Blues / Distant Vision / Byzantium / Not Man Big

Around the time Kerry was finishing off Collector's Sedition Mister Livgren found that his cup runneth overeth with songs - songs he thought belonged with Kansas. So as the story goes he buzzed Phil, and before you could spell reunion, the boys were back together. Except Steve who was busy working on Glossolalia so he sent his work through the mail.

Fans rejoice for Kansas is back. Okay, so they never really went away, and okay, this album could have used more Steve, and less Kerry. Don't despair STE is a very good album. The first song alone is worth the bucks I shelled out for the CD. Apparently Magna Carta signed the boys to a 2 album deal, so hopefully before too long we'll be graced with another Kansas album.

Here's the rub, to truly experience this album, I'd strongly recommend getting the solo album Steve's songs went to. Then program your CD player to alternate tracks between the two albums - now you have a truly brilliant album.

Somewhere To Elsewhere is a worthy addition to the Kansas catalog.

Reviewed July 10, 2001

Masque (©1975 / ©2001 Epic / Legacy)

the songs: It Takes A Woman's Love (To Make A Man) / Two Cents Worth / Icarus - Born Of Wings of Steel / All the World / Child of Innocence / It's You / Mysteries and Mayhem / The Pinnacle / Child Of Innocence (Rehearsal Recording) / It's You (Demo)

A while back I was bitching and moaning about Masque. If I'd waited a little longer I'd have bought this release. It is totally remastered, and has some extra goodies. The quality is superior to the import. The packaging is packed full of information, and was worth the wait.

It looks like a lot of their albums are going the "remastered" route. I'll have a really tough time justifying the extra cost of replacing my CD collection. This truly is a gem in the Kansas crown. Of the two extra tracks It's You is better than the one that made the album.

Reviewed July 10, 2001