LEFTOVERTURE

Wow! Never before have I heard such a wonderfull piece of Symphonic Prog that sounded so complete and together! Well, perhaps that's just my initial enjoyment running away with itself. Allow me to hopefully put this album in perspective:

The following bands are the only symphonic bands I have listened to thus far: Yes, Genesis, Ajalon, Anglagard, Puppet Show, Echolyn and Kansas. Out of those bands, the only band's discography I have really explored is Yes. Out of that knowledge, the only other album that may match or surpass the greatness of LEFTOVERTURE would possibly be RELAYER by Yes, but other than that, this album really seems to stand on it's own level of greatness.

This is the first Kansas album I have ever listened to, and I have no idea if the band's other subsiquent efforts are as good a quality as this opus, but I do feel that the band in general shows promise. They may never top Yes of course, simply because I still consider RELAYER and FRAGILE to be crowning achievements of Symph. Prog, however LEFTOVERTURE does indeed surpass the likes of HYBRIS and CLOSE TO THE EDGE in great strides. It is less pompous than it's counterparts, and for that reason, te overall listening experience ends up being much more enjoyable.

Alas, as I can see, this album got the highest rating out of all the Kansas works, and I'm very weary of venturing any further, because the steady decline of album ratings from this point on promises sure dissapointment. But I will be brave and continue forward; in the meantime I will relish the experience of hearing this album for the first time and remember the amazing feeling I experienced when Magnum Opus came on and floored me. LEFOTVERTURE is one of those rare occasions in which the album itself exceeds even the bands' expectations, and often times the magic can never be retrieved or repeated; it's almost as if a part of the band's genious dies as the album is born, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Had these moments never occured, we wouldn't have great albums like RELAYER, THE WALL, LATERALUS, MISPLACED CHILDHOOD, IMAGES AND WORDS, etc. While each of those subsiquent bands never made a better album than the ones given in my opinion, I would rather the albums be made than not be made at all.

And so it is with Kansas it seems and their album LEFTOVERTURE; however the jury is still out until I can lay ear on the abnd's other works, then if I still feel this way, it will solidify the five star rating I am giving LEFTOVERTURE. A true masterpiece if I ever heard one.

Until next time, happy listening.