Yes, I know this isn't metal. I don't care. I said in my first post that some of the stuff I post won't be metal. Tough shit, deal with it. Or better yet, keep reading.
If I had to pick a favorite classic rock album, this would be it. This is mainly because it engenders the two best things about music of the era. Side one of the album is basically side blues-rock. The music isn't going for too much depth, though it is certainly there in the arrangements; this side is here to rock and to please the fans and sell albums, plain and simple. That being said, it's still great stuff; notable is Robby Steinhardt's expressive violinwork and gritty vocals. Third track "Lonely Wind" is a slow ballad-type song, and it soars far above almost any other song of the type, especially with the harmonies on the third chorus.
Side two is where things get interesting. Excepting the fluke song "The Pilgrim" (which isn't bad at all, it's just kind of out of place), two of the songs are 8 minutes long, and the other is about 9:30. Considering this was 1974, holy shit! The first, "Journey to Mariabronn", tells a story in a very expressive manner. Instrumental breaks, subtle time changes, and violin and keyboard work make this one shine like nothing else. The 9:30 song, "Apercu", is all about the buildup and the grandeur. The song takes a very mellow break in the middle, then comes back full-force at the end. It transitions exactly into the next song, "Death of Mother Nature Suite". This one is fairly straightforward in the beginning, but a similar mellow break happens in the middle, which transitions to a fairly hard part, then an interesting, different coda.
A great album even today, 22 years later. An even better album considering when it was released. Good stuff.
8.5 crazy violin solos out of 10.
Clizzle to Downlizzle, Hizzle
3 comments:
Thanks. Finally listened to this over the Christmas break. Kansas is one of those bands that I always meant to check out but never got around to. Part of it was probably due to the overexposure of Dust in The Wind on classic rock radio. Good stuff especially the second half. I picked up a used copy fairly cheap.
Very nice post, awsome band from the early 70's??
You should also try:
Song for America
Masquerade
Somewhere to elsewhere
gtz KD
KD: I've been looking everywhere for Somewhere to Elsewhere. If you could send me a MU link or something, I would be eternally grateful.
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