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"Not necessarily technical but with a very 70's inventiveness, "Song for America" shows an obvious musical talent from Kansas."
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4/5
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The second album of Kansas is an album which, if it is of very good quality, was not necessarily perceived as a revolution when it was released. This judgement will perhaps appear severe to the fans, but it is necessary to note that the whole of the compositions of this album corresponds completely to the image that one can have of the musical deliriums of the middle of the 70's. Steve Walsh and his acolytes serve us here very honourable compositions for a second try, alternating between pure rock as we liked to practice it then ('Down The Road') and more convoluted pieces such as the one which will give its title to the album.
Technically, it doesn't go very far, always in the spirit of the 70's, and it is also what allows the album to be pleasant to listen to. While we are more and more accustomed to technical delirium mixing 6-string bass, double pedal and fast tempi, listening to "Song For America" takes us back to a time when technique was above all at the service of melody and where it was more a question of showing one's musical talent than one's dexterity.
The general construction of the songs is in the purest tradition of the progressive rock of the time: a long declined theme and strewn with multiple breaks and delirious soli. However, Kansas surprises the listener by showing new ideas, like the track 'Lonely Street' which, although being a classic blues, is in fact built on a rhythm in 11 pulses which gives it a completely wobbly character.
Finally, on the level of the production, we are still obviously in the 70s. The sound is typical of this era and other details regularly confirm it: the sound of the organ or even the use of the violin as a leading instrument.
Even if you are not a big fan of the 70's, this album is interesting for several reasons. First of all because Kansas is still one of those bands that strongly inspired many of today's bands. Secondly, because it is certainly a good way to change the horizon from time to time. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Down The Road
02. Song For America
03. Lamplight Symphony
04. Lonely Street
05. The Devil Game
06. Incomudro - Hymn To The Atman
LINEUP:
Dave Hope: Basse
Kerry Livgren: Guitares / Claviers
Phil Ehart: Batterie
Richard Williams: Guitares
Robby Steinhardt: Chant / Violon
Steve Walsh: Chant / Claviers
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
3.9/5 (7 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.5/5 (4 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH KANSAS
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LAST INTERVIEW
KANSAS (JUNE 2020)
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Almost 50 years of career and Kansas is still there! Back with the excellent "The Presence Of Absence", the singer Ronnie Platt came back for us on the release of the 16th studio album of the band!
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT KANSAS
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