FREAKS OF NATURE

The only serious problem on the first song "I can Fly" is Steve Walsh´s voice which sounds like he is having difficuly reaching the notes, but after a bit he gets it right and the song comes together. There is some pretty heavy guitar on this song by Rich Williams, in fact I think this could be the heaviest sounding Kansas album.

"Desperate Times" is very catchy and has some strange sound effects during the song. "Hope Once Again" is very good, especially the part where Rich Williams take over from David Ragsdale´s violin solo. The backing female vocalists at the end of the song sound really nice as well.

"Black Fathom 4" is supposed to be about some war(in Yugoslavia if I remember correctly) On this track there is some really amazing violin playing by Ragsdale and some great drumming by Phil Ehart.

Things slow down on "Under the Knife" and the lyrics are quite morbidly interesting! "Need" is also a slowish number and Walsh sounds really emotional on this song.

"Freaks of Nature" is quite a heavy song for Kansas with some spectacular drumming from Ehart. The whole band show just how tightly they can play together. The only Livgren penned song on the album "Cold Grey Morning" is also quite morbid (especially for Livgren!) but good.

"Peaceful and Warm" is a great song with good lyrics, one of Walsh´s best compositions which builds into a fully blown orchestra towards the end! Almost five stars, close but no cigar.