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KANSAS - Kansas [Expanded Edition] |
Epic/Legacy Recordings | |
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Posted: 1/18/05Reviewed by: Dirt Category: Classic Rock/Progressive Rock Original Release: 3/74 Reissued: 6/29/04 Label URL: www.legacyrecordings.com Artist URL: www.kansasband.com | |
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When classic rock fans think of Kansas, the songs that immediately come to mind are “Dust In The Wind” and “Carry On Wayward Son.” But the 1974 debut from the Topeka band proves that they are much more than those two songs. Recorded during a time when The Carpenters and Barry Manilow ruled, Kansas was an edgy band and Don Kirshner took a chance in signing them to his label. While they could and did write songs that were potential singles (“Bringing It Back” and “Can I Tell You” clock in at under 3:35), many of their songs had multiple parts and complexities that weren’t accepted at pop radio (“Journey From Mariabronn” and “Death Of Mother Nature Suite” were nearly eight minutes, and “Apercu” was over nine and a half minutes). The diversity in styles is what has defined Kansas’ career for over 30 years.
This remastered edition is big, bold, and epic in nature. The brighter production supports the larger than life quality that the band presents. A powerful bonus track - an almost ten-minute live version of “Bringing It Back” from a 1975 concert in Cleveland - is included to make the expanded edition.
The Bloody Truth: The debut from Kansas is more enjoyable than I remember it to be. While I lean more toward their shorter songs, I can certainly appreciate their ability to improvise. The band’s energy, the killer vocals of Steve Walsh (and even Robby Steinhardt), and the mix of tear ‘em up guitar, violin, and organ has made them an original to be compared to. | ||
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