Trollheart

Cool! I need to hear more Kansas.

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

For once I intend not to be last with my review. And so, I'll be first this time.

I should point out that I think it's fair that, although we have two weeks to listen to the albums and form our thoughts, we can post anytime within that timeframe, from the moment we get the album or rec to two weeks after. Therefore my review may seem like it's coming early, but I've listened to the album enough now to know what I want to say, and there's little point in waiting, so here goes.

As this was Kansas's followup to "Leftoverture", which gave them their first major hit, I can see how they were trying to go in a more commercial direction, but I applaud them for staying true mostly to what appears to have been their root sound. I also like the puns in their album titles.

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

I've heard not that much of Kansas, one album really ("Somewhere to elsewhere") and was at times bowled over and at times underwhelmed by that. The problem is that while some tracks are great, others are in comparison quite poor. I found this to be the same with this album. The opening track originally left me cold (though after repeated listens I've warmed to it a bit) and the followup plus its, to my mind, unneccessary runoff, the instrumental "The spider", just didn't do it for me. I was, to be honest, quite disappointed and it was a case of deja vu.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?
As above, I thought the opener was a bit trumpety-keyboard heavy and had that sort of seventies progressive feel I often don't like, despite being a prog head. It's hard to explain: almost felt jazzy to me, which I know it isn't but I didn't like it. The second track wasn't much of an improvement --- if anything, it was a disimprovement: I've gotten used to the title track now but "Paradox" still leaves me cold, and "The Spider" is to me just an needless extension of the music from that.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?
Ah well now you're asking! Directly after "The spider" goes out on a descending pitch bend on the keys, the album, for me, takes a total upswing, at least for a time. "Portrait (He knew)" is a belter, a real blues rhythm to it and it chugs along gloriously, reminding me very much of "Disappearing skin tight blues" from "Somewhere to elsewhere", one of the highlights of that album for me. "Closet chronicles" I love, a slower, moodier song but not quite a ballad, but then I could live without "Lightning's hand". Of course, "Dust in the wind" is a classic, and always will be...

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
Yeah, I like Steve Walsh's voice. It has that kind of rough, ragged sound you get from ZZ Top mixed with a flavour of Steve Earle and maybe Ronnie Van Zandt too. Certainly a voice that commands you to listen.

5. Whether or not you enjoyed the vocal performance, did the music throughout the album generally appeal to you, or not?
Yes, it did in the main. The album --- presumably like most of Kansas's work --- is heavily keyboard oriented, and Kerry Livgren does a great job, though there are times his arpeggios get a little wearing, as related above. But also the violins and violas of Robbie Steinhardt add a great sense of calmness and grandeur to some of the songs.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Absolutely got better. I didn't like the three opening tracks, then the next two were streets ahead, a dip then for "Lightning's hand" and back to form then for pretty much the rest of the album.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
I must admit I didn't concentrate as much on the lyrics as perhaps I should have this time round, but in general they seem to concern man's fragility and his place in the cosmos. Songs like the seminal "Dust in the wind", "Nobody's home" and "Closet chronicles" all seem to speak of things passing and our inability to prevent it.

8. Did you like the instrumental tracks?(Note: For any albums without any purely instrumental compositions, this question should not be answered or answered as "not applicable")
There was only one instrumental and as noted above I did not like it at all.

9. What did you think of the production?
Sounded fine to me for a seventies record.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?
Who doesn't know OF Kansas? But apart from their hits I had only actually listened to the one album prior to this.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?
Progressive rock I think is the only one that fits, though occasionally Kansas can flirt with a softer AOR sound.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Much more. It took a few listens to get past the opener, and there are still tracks I don't like but generally I enjoy it more when I spin it now compared to the first time.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
Other than the obvious? I think perhaps "Nobody's home" or "Closet chronicles", or possibly "Portrait (He knew)"

14. And the one you liked least?
Either "Paradox" or "The spider".

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
Not applicable.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?
Basically yes, I'd be interested in hearing some more of their catalogue. I would hope though that not every album of their has this disjointed a structure, from my point of view.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?
As I said in the lyrics question, essentially the powerlessness of man in the face of time, the elements, and the cosmos in general.

18. Did the album end well?
After a few duff tracks the album picked up brilliantly with "Dust in the wind" and sort of never really flagged from there on. The closer, "Hopelessly human" is a great track, though I did see some resemblance to the one that preceded it. Nevertheless I'd still class it as a really strong closing track.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
I'd have done without the more pomp-rock tracks such as the first three and had more like "Closet chronicles" and "Paradox". And no instrumental. Or at least, a better one.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I'd have to say hit and miss, though in fairness more the former than the latter.

Ratiing:7.5 out of 10

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Electrophonic Tonic

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

Point of Known Return is from my earliest days of getting into music, when I would rent a bands greatest hits from the library, rip the 3-4 song I knew by them onto my iPod and then return that album. So, no really surprises there in terms of what I expect with Kansas. I certainly appreciate them as one of the rare American prog bands. Long story short, I've heard Point before, but it's been awhile and the initial impression was better than where I left it ~5-6ish years ago.

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?
If Jethro Tull and Boston had a baby, that baby would grow up and become the song Point of Know Return. Certainly, one of the classic pop-prog tracks of the mid 70's. Paradox is one of the weakest points on the whole album and I think a lot of that has to do with the violin part. and while it's cool to get that out of the way early in the album, it leaves a sour taste behind. I had totally forgotten about Spider and it's a nice, solid instrumental.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?
This is where I think POKN picks up some point with me, the adventurous instrumental ideas from Spider start to pop up in the next few tracks and that is when Kansas is most enjoyable for me. Portrait redeems the violin from Paradox and settles into an enjoyable prog rock groove. I love the channeling of Genesis on Closet Chronicles the awesome guitar solo right after the first vocal passage. Lightning Hands has a cool groove to it.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
Reminds me so much of Brad Delp. Seriously, I have a hard time differentiating between Brad Delp and Steve Welsh/Robby Steinhardt.

5. Whether or not you enjoyed the vocal performance, did the music throughout the album generally appeal to you, or not?
It does and it doesn't. Kansas is not a prog band I come back to with any regularity, but I do enjoy them when I listen to them.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
I enjoyed it more after each listen, not by much, but my enjoyment increased each time.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
I didn't catch all the lyrics, but there were some words that peaked my interest and reminded my of stuff by Jethro Tull and Genesis. However, I will never forget the lyrics to Dust in the Wind thanks to Will Ferrell in Old School. You're my boy Blue!!!

8. Did you like the instrumental tracks?(Note: For any albums without any purely instrumental compositions, this question should not be answered or answered as "not applicable")
Spider was the track that kickstarts the album after the two mediocre opening tracks. I enjoy more as a bridge into the strong middle of the album, rather than a stand alone song, but it's still a good solid track, reminding me of Yes' Clap.

9. What did you think of the production?
It sounds like a early-mid album, so finding out the album was produced in 1977 was a bit of a shock because the production didn't exactly match what I usually expect.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?
I've heard Leftoverature and Point of Know Return, but it's been a while since I've heard them.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?
The album has a lot of AOR influence, but it's still your "traditional" prog album.

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I took a few listens to appreciate everything between the sub-par Paradox and the classic Dust in the Wind, but it was worth the time to do that.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
Closet Chronicles, but I will always have a soft spot for Dust in the Wind.

14. And the one you liked least?
Paradox. No doubt in my mind.

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
N/A

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?
I'll probably listen to this album more, rather than go back and comb over the rest of Kansas' discography.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?
I think the lyrics are meant to be philosophical, in the most general, dumbed down sense of that word.

18. Did the album end well?
Dust in the Wind is placed in the perfect spot, and it gives a slight break from the proggy middle and the epic closing 3 tracks. The slight Supertramp feel of Sparks in the Tempest is appreciated and Hopelessly Human is a solid closer. While I do like the last 3 tracks, I prefer the trio between Spider and Dust in the Wind.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Cut Paradox and add some mellotron.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
The album has clear breaks, but it helps to establish the flow.

For me, it's a Kansas album. I enjoy it and I am glad US gave me a reason to listen to it again. Compared to my prog tastes, it's just an album I like rather than love.

7.5/10