One of my first albums that I ever got into my collection was Kansas "Leftoverture". I think my folks got it for when I was 11 or 12 years old. Yeah, back in the day. Ever since I first heard this record, I fell in love with it. Today, it still remains one of my favorites.This breakthrough album, released in 1976, displays an impressive set of progressive rock with catchy hooks. Fueled by a multiple amounts of instrumental passages, this album won't let you down. The lyrics are uplifting and spiritual, leaving me with a smile on face.
The album starts off with the ever popular "Carry On Wayward Son" That tune I always find myself singing along to. The next song, "The Wall", is a personal favorite of mine. A song that is extremely close to my heart. "What's On my Mind" is a rocker! "Miracles Out of Nowhere" is a killer multi-tempo progressive piece. Questions of my Childhood is an excellent bouncy and rollicking piece. Cheyenne Anthem is a beautiful song about the Native Americans. You'll get carried away by instrumentation on the epic Magmun Opus.
Other words this whole album is good, worthy of any album collection.
4 comments:
I've only got 4 Kansas albums in my collection-- Leftoverture was the first Kansas album for me as well though. Kerry Livgren is really an underrated guitarist. I also really dig Point of Know Return. The other 2 I have are Vinyl Confessions and Drastic Measures (both of which feature John Elefante on lead vocals instead of Steve Walsh). I really liked Elefante's vocals but overall the material on those 2 albums is considerably weaker than their 70s output.
I have the complete collection of Kansas. All the stuff the original lineup did is quite good.(Especially their live album "Two for the Show") After that,Kansas fell into a downward spiral. The Steve Morse era stunk. They have improved recently, but still haven't measured up to their early days.
Drew: U're right, LEFTOVERTURE's a classic. I still play it now & then. My faves R "Miracles Out of Nowhere" & "Questions of My Childhood," but it's almost all great, & "Cheyenne Anthem" is 1 of the greatest, most "cinematic" rock songs 2 never have had a video made 2 go w/ it (as far as I know). Practically a perfect album, really....
Summa their earlier stuff is pretty great 2 -- "Song for America" of course, "Journey from MariaBronn," "The Pinnacle," parts of "Incomudro" & "Lamplight Symphony"... why couldn't these guys keep it going longer? They sure hadda lotta talent....
Keep it up! -- TAD.
Tad, I think their early stuff is great!
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