MASQUE

There is a slight change of direction on the third album of Kansas. After two knee-deep prog albums, this time there are a couple more accessible songs, succumbing to the pressure of the label to deliver a hit-single. The thing is Kansas is an overly talented band and there is a distinct quality even when it comes to plainer songs. Therefore, even though It Takes a Woman's Love (To Make a Man) possesses this poppy slant, it is a song I have always enjoyed. Things get even better with Two Cents Worth largely due to the awesome lyrics although music-wise things remain mundane. But then Kansas put things in order with the majestic Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel, an all-time fan favourite and a live staple for a very good reason. Nothing less but absolute perfection. All the World is along the same lines with numerous changes and dotted with wonderful melodies. On Child of Innocence Kerry Livgren revisits Dust in the Wind but only lyric-wise since it's rockier and more complex. One more shot for a hit single by Steve Walsh with the upbeat It's You which - you guessed- it has nothing to do with the typical hit-singles - obviously this is what Kansas thought a hit single might be. Mysteries and Mayhem although it starts out promisingly, it is one of the scarce times that the main melody of the hook and the chorus aren't too strong to maintain my interest. But Kansas left perhaps the best for the end, The Pinnacle which could be, well, the pinnacle of the album. For some reason Icarus.... is the most famous song here, but when you reach the final notes of the Pinnacle, pure bliss will flow through you, it is so gratifying.

I guess that the album rubbed many hard-core fans the wrong way since the band abandoned the pure prog style of the first two albums, but I don't see it this way. The catchier songs are delightful and perhaps they did their bit for the band to carry on. It is highly probable that the band would have to call it a day if it didn't reach a wider audience. But they did - in style, no less.

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