SONG FOR AMERICA

I purchased it at the time of release in Europe (1975). I must say that it was a significant shock for me. I really did not expect such masterpiece from an unknown US band (at the time).

I purchased it after having read a review in the sole Belgian magazine which provided six pages over rock music each week: concerts, interviews and new records reviews (thanks Piero). This section about rock music was integrated into a full TV-programme weekly magazine (Télémoustique). It still exists by the way, and I still buy it (at the time, my parents did so).

So, here we go.

"Down the Road" is a great opener. Rocky and furious it features great instrumental work. Violin, which makes this band so different of course, but keys as well are sublime. It is flirting with hard-rock most of the time. It sets the pace for this jewel of the mid- seventies.

The title track is just great. It has the same structure as "Journey from Mariabronn". Long (over three minutes) and complex instrumental intro (keys / violin), great middle section with lots of synthetizers. The whole band at his best. Ten wonderful minutes. My only remark is that I would have liked to have some guitar break in there. But let's not be too difficult. This is the first highlight.

"Lamplight Symphony" intro sounds a bit like ELP : pompous and bombastic. Vocals are very melodious and emotional. It is incredibly passionate and builds crescendo. After 3'45 or so, the intruments enter into a frenetic competition and virtually explode in this very powerful intrumental section. At 5'30", the tempo changes dramatically and the band delivers a one minute very subtle part that ELO could have written. An almost classical moment (or symphony?) is developped. Great combination. This highlight closes the first side of the vinyl album (but on this album, there are almost nothing else than highlights) !

B-side starts with "Lonely Street" which is 100 % hard-rock oriented. Good riff. This song is almost heavy at times. This could have been a Purple track. "The Devil Game" is a good rock song like "Down the Road" : great drumming and heavy keys (a la Hensley). Rythmic section and vocals are top notch.

With "Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman" I believe that the band has reached its progressive peak. All the ingredients are present : strong melody, very nice vocals, light instrumental in the beginning (almost Trespass-esque or "Talk To The Wind" oriented), fantastic guitar work, crescendo building (which is a feature that I like very, very much) with an explosion of keys.

What else do we need ? Some violin ? We'll get it. You wanna a drum solo (1'30") ? Here you are. The grand finale is somptuous. One of their best song ever.

This is my favourite Kansas album : so many great songs, so original for the time. It is a perfect summary of their whole career : hard-rock numbers (three, but shorter) and three truely prog ones (longer compositions, about two-third of this album).

My rating is five stars : the masterpiece status. This album will peak at the 57th spot in the US charts. As far as I know, it will be almost ignored in Europe.

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