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Kansas - Song for America CD (album) cover

SONG FOR AMERICA

Kansas

 

Symphonic Prog

4.15 | 829 ratings

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Garion81
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars Song for America was Kansas first album that gave them a little more control in the studio. The first album found the recording process to be controlled by Kirshner producer Wally Gold. They had to play through small fender amps not using their own instruments and the result was a sound that Kerry Livgren said "I would like to record that whole album over again". Song For America changed that and you hear it right away in the song "Down the Road". The guitars now have some meat to them along with a great violin line and in your face hard rock. No, not prog yet but a good way to get your blood pumping. Then comes the symphonic masterpiece of the title song. A Fat bass line starts it off then into the synth/violin laden intro. Great piano tracks, great organ lines, fantastic singing and goods lyrics mark this American answer to British symphonic prog. If you listen to one Kansas song listen to Song For America.

The rest of the 4 numbers are a straight blues song called Lonely Street , a hard rockin prog song written by vocalist./keyboardist Steve Walsh called the Devil Game. I have always liked this song but some of it seems disjointed. It feels that the middle part should be the into. Whatever the problems this is still a great song. The last two numbers are from the sheer prog genius Kerry Livgren, Lamplight Symphony and Incomudru: Hymn to the Atman. Hard to describe with words what these two songs are about. They are two of the best songs Kansas has ever recorded and you can now hear Incomudru in its original form by picking Up Proto-Kaw's Early Recordings From Kansas.

Song for America is a great progressive recording by any standard applied. The recommend you get the re-mastered version of all Kansas CDs. The sound is much improved and the bass actually registers. For all of you who think Kansas is not prog you need to hear this CD. 5 Stars.

Garion81 | 5/5 |

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