Kansas
"Point of Know Return"
(Epic/Legacy-reissue) 

It is the twenty-fifth anniversary of this Kansas classic (it was first released in 1977), and it has been remastered and reissued. I am, of course, familiar with Kansas and their  most famous songs (anyone who hasn't been living on an unchartered desert island knows "Dust In The Wind" and the title track), but I have to admit this was the first time I've ever listened to a Kansas album in its entirety. What did I think? Well, frankly, there's not much I can say about this album that hasn't been said already. It's already a bonafide classic rock classic, considered a masterpiece by many. But if I was to offer my own personal opinion, I do think that Kansas are a very talented band, and were certainly innovative and groundbreaking in their time, doing things like using violins, which was unusual for a rock band at the time this album came out, and that this album and the band are deserving of their legendary status. Their music is a bit mellow for my taste, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, even though I've heard "Dust..." and the title song more times than I care to count! I'd never heard any of the other songs, though. The ones I liked best were "Portrait (He Knows)" (an ode to Albert Einstein), "Lightning's Hand", and "Sparks Of The Tempest", all harder rock songs, some verging on being metal! There are no less than four ballads on this album: "Dust...", of course, "Closet Chronicles" (an epic over six minutes long with some good guitar work), "Nobody's Home", and "Hopelessly Human". On a many of the songs, I think the violins and organs overshadow the guitars, and the guitar work needs to be a bit more "beefy", but I guess that's Kansas's style. There are also two bonus tracks on this reissue, a live version of "Sparks..." and a different version of "Portrait...". This album may not appeal to fans of rock that is currently popular, as this is what many of their parents would have listened to, but if they want to have an open mind, they should check it out. Give it a chance, it may grow on you! Kansas fans whose vinyl is getting a little worn will doubtlessly want to add this to their collection. This reissue was well timed, as Kansas are still going today with their original lineup. They may not be as big as they once were (when "Video killed the radio star", Kansas and many bands of their ilk were casualties), but they've still got an audience who appreciates them for what they are, and Kansas is still here for their fans, old and new.

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