MASQUE

Kansas thrid efford is a mixed bag. The band was trying desperately to make it big. The remastered edition has some very interesting liner notes by band members about their situation at the time. Therefore, it might explains the inclusion of such track as It Takes A Woman´s Love Love (To Make A Man) not only in the record but as the opener. A commercial rocking number that sounds forced and out of place in Kansas entire discography. It is well played and sung of course, but clearly this kind of style was not their forte. It caused much damage to the album, which is a pity, since the rest of it is quite good.

Second track, Two Cents Worth is pretty much in the same vein as the first, but is more convincing and sounds natural. Then comes Icareus, which needs no explanation, being one of Kansas best songs ever. A classic! All The World is another prog number that would fit very well in Leftoverture. Very good, and a bit underrated. Child Of Innocense is another heavy track that shows the band´s hard rock side. Good, and quite a fine live number. It´s You goes back to the first two tracks philosophy: commercial rocking number that is not entirely succesful, even if it has some excellent violin passages and Walsh´s passionate vocals. Mysteries and Mayhem on the other hand does work: one of prototype prog metal number! Well, at least it sounds like it. full of energy6 and power, it proves Kansas could be an excellent heavy rock band if they wanted to go that way. And then comes their masterpiece The Pinnacle. together with Icarus is one of Kansas greatest achievements ever, and quite worth the price of the CD alone. A magnificent epic, it combines all the band´s best elements in one tune: soaring vocals, blistering guitar solos, heavenly keyboards and violin passages, and a beautiful, insightful lyric that only the most gifted songwriters are capable of wrinting down. A truly prog gem that never got the exposure it deservevd.

Conclusion: a very good, although uneven, album. If you skip the first track you´ll enjoy this CD much more. The band had yet to find their own balance. But, individually, all the songs (again, bar the first) are good ones and Icarus and The Pinnacle are the ones you can never miss! 3,5 stars.