THE PRELUDE IMPLICIT

Albums thrown together this late in a band's career are always a tricky proposition. This project was being completed without any assistance from Kerry Livgren. I think we'd all seen the track record when he's not involved (see "Freak of Nature"). So I was prepared for this album to be somewhere between Ho-Hum and Mailed-In. I am here to say that I was completely wrong. This album has many fresh moments and is often inspired. Kansas fans will be extraordinarily pleased and the general rank and file prog fan will enjoy this album as well. Is it on par with "Leftoverture" or "Song For America"? Nope. Is it the best offering they've thrown down since POKR? I think so, and I am an unapologetic fan of "Somewhere to Elsewhere" and "Vinyl Confessions". Newly found lead singer Ronnie Platt is Steve Walsh without the tight pant or huge ego. They've added a second guitarist for the first time since Steve Morse left them and the addition is impressive. The solo passages on this record are well executed. The vocal harmonies are crisp and fun, and the violin bits are the best David Ragsdale has given us. And while I'm at it, Billy Greer is underrated as a bassist. All in all, a solid effort from a bunch of geezer I'd written off. Well done