GLOSSOLALIA

Steve Walsh's solo album Glossolalia came out around the same time as the Kansas comeback album Somewhere to Elsewhere so they get compared quite a bit. But they are quite different. This is mainly because Somewhere to Elsewhere was mainly written by Kerry Livgren while Glossolalia has Trent Gardner (from Magellan) all over it. Walsh later worked with Gardner on Explorer's Club's second album, this album coming before Raising the Mammoth.

Walsh is credited on all songs as at least co-writer, but Gardner brings in a heavy metal edge to a lot of the songs here without going overboard. That is evident right away on the opening track. But the metal is done well and has good melody and a good rocking element. I really enjoy well done metal like this that is only a certain portion of the album and is complimented with many less heavy moments. Mike Slamer is the guitarist and does a nice job. Both Walsh and Gardner are credited with keyboards as well as another guest on Hammond so there are plenty of keys to go around. A lot of nice piano is featured as well. There are quite a few quirky elements to the music but I enjoy most of them. Walsh's voice is in good form. A lot of people have taken shots at the deterioration of voice as he gets up in age and maybe rightfully so, but that is not an issue here. I don't think any real bad of the tracks on the album. There is quite a bit of diversity however that keeps thing interesting if you give it a few spins. And I would give it an edge over In the Spirit of Things and Freaks of Nature, both albums I like.

This is a damn good album and the writing team of Walsh and Gardner I feel is a good one. Is it an album that will put Masque or Leftoverture in the dust? No, but any self respecting Kansas fan who hasn't become disenfranchised due to their later output should find this to be a fine addition to their collection. Four stars.