SONG FOR AMERICA

This was the album that got me into Kansas in the first place. The only "Kansas" I heard was the FM rotations of "Carry On Wayward Son" And "Dust In The Wind". When I picked up this album at the recommendation of my grandfather (same man who got me into Yes, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd to name a few) I was instantly blown away, and did not know how progressive Kansas let alone an American band could be.

The second album by Kansas stands as an extremely powerful representation of American progressive rock. The tracks on the album are balanced between straight-forward rockers, and sophisticated complex songs that are often overlooked by the prog community. One listen to "Down The Road" is enough to scare anyone looking for progressive rock on the album with its short run time, and relatively simple structure. This one takes on the hard-rocking energy and speed from their debut. However, the title track "Song For America" then proves that the album is in fact, some of the finest symphonic prog around with it's different structures, and of very a classical inspired piano interlude in the song's center. The synth leads are especially prominent here and often duel with the equally involved organ. "Lamplight Symphony" follows the same structure clocking in at 8 minutes. Here, a small section is dedicated to a piano/violin interlude that further cements Kansas in the symphonic prog hall.

"Lonely Street" is somewhat like "Down The Road" with its simple structure, but this time takes on a more bluesy approach. "The Devil Game" follows a similar formula, but is artsier even opening with a synth lead. This track prepares listeners for perhaps the band's longest achievement, "Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman" clocking in at 12 minutes. The synth tweaking and soloing on this track are perhaps my favorite (I'm a synth player/enthusiast if it wasn't obvious). Reissue owners like me are treated to a very butchered version of the title track clipped into a 3-minute song. A second and final addition is a high-energy performance of "Down The Road".

I think perhaps what surprises me the most is the band's jumping between two genres: both southern-tinged hard rock, and progressive rock. This is a trend that would continue on the band's next albums. I feel it gives the band some variety and is often why people knock off stars, and merely label them as "pomp-rock" Overall recording quality is not too bad, as someone who owns both the 75' record and the 2000's remaster, I can say the quality is slightly muddy at the times, but this does little to hinder the experience. I feel this record deserves the "Essential" rating, but I'm grateful it sits at "Excellent Addition".