MASQUE

This third studio album by Kansas has been considered as legendary one with music composition much mature than its two predecessor "Kansas" and "Song For America". Generally speaking, if we talk at album level, it's less melodic compared to the previous one. Take an example of previous album's song "Incomudro" which is very powerful in terms of melody and composition. However, this album has a track with a great melody at its probably the most melodic Kansas track ever, called "The Pinnacle".

Talking about musicians which contribute to the album, this might be considered as the best line-up throughout the history of the band. Kerry Livgren contributed a lot of excellent lyrics altogether with Steve Walsh who took care of vocal department as well as keyboard. The violin master Robbie Steinhardt still in the band. So what can you expect? Excellent music! Obviously.

The album icon, according to my personal taste, is "The Pinnacle". Why? It has everything: good lyrics, powerful structure combining dynamic and silent segments with powerful melodic (very tasty) and great songwriting. It's quite difficult for one to deny this track supremacy as it demonstrates great music from start to end in relatively long track duration. No one would ever argue with this proposition, I think. That's why I consider that this album represents a significant milestone for the band's history.

"Child of Innocence" is another great track this album offers. The complete guitar fills and riffs indicate how heavy this track is meeting high standards of great music. Not only that; structurally the track brings us to many styles with good rhythm section. Another shot is of course "Mysteries and Mayhem" and "Icarus - Borne on the wings of steel". Yeah . these two tracks really show how Kansas music sounds like. They characterize the Kansas sound.

It's a recommended album and it's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. If you love prog, it's a sin not having this album in your collection. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW