LEFTOVERTURE

The perfect prog rock springboard for the diehard hard rock fans. LEFTOVERTURE boasts the classic tune ''Carry On Wayward Son'', the song that most hard rock purists will say is their best overall track. I say Wayward Son isn't the best track on the album, although it is their best that's considered a ''hit''. I actually feel that ''What's On My Mind'' is just as powerful of a rock tune.

Prog rock exists in the longer tracks, i.e. ''Miracles Out of Nowhere'', ''Cheyenne Anthem'' and ''Magnum Opus''. ''Magnum Opus'' lives up to its name on the album and was one of the first tunes I heard that utilized several themes in a short span, and Kansas is one of the few acts that can pull the tune off well. Easily the highlight for the beginning alone. The other two are so corny they're good, and the violin keeps everything from derailing.

I have some sympathy for this album as it was one of the first (in a comparitive sense) prog albums I really fell in love with. Well played and not too demanding, but for some progsters might see this as too commercial. I say this is the last of the great Kansas albums as they became more of an AOR band after this with prog influence. Start your Kansas trek here, but make sure to get the debut and SONG FOR AMERICA along the way if you like Kansas's prog moments.