KANSAS

I'm not sure if visiting the state of Kansas would be a good idea for me. It would only be a matter of hours before I'm apprehended for misbehaviour, either for disrespect towards public property or for fulminating at all things religious. At least that might happen as soon as the band wearing the state's name would come up in a discussion. Given my dislike for all things AOR, Kansas has always resided at the bottom of my playlist and I'm very much afraid future Kansas reviews will bear witness to that. But not my cup of tea doesn't mean I can't find some redeeming qualities in them, especially so on their debut.

I hadn't heard this one until recently and it has turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The cheese of Lonely Wind excluded, this album doesn't remind me at all of the commercial Kansas sound I am familiar with. This one sounds as if Blue Oyster Cult suddenly lived up to their full prog potential, it has their energy and their pleasant upbeat grooves but the song writing is more ambitious, certainly so on the more extended songs.

The Kansas debut offers an exciting mix of catchy country blues hard rock with some distinct Gentle Giant prog qualities. Especially the furious violin helps to provide this album with a wild and passionate flavour. This is the sound of a band that's fuelled with ideas and creativity. 3.5 stars, rounded up as I would guess this one will be an interesting and pleasant listen for most fans of classic prog.