LEFTOVERTURE

This is a much maligned album, principally because some think that Kansas plagiarized the European(mostly English) prog bands. Read through some of the low ratings and you will find consistent criticism centered around Kansas being an American band who had no business playing progressive ROCK.

But wait a second! Wasn't ROCK music developed(to not use the word INVENTED) in the USA?! If so, how is Kansas ripping off the Brits?

Last time I checked the VAST MAJORITY of British progressive musicians were influenced by American jazz, blues or rock musicians. John McLaughlin, to name one of the top English progressive musicians, was highly influenced by blues and jazz guitarists from........the USA.

Now, putting that little history rant aside and jumping off of my soap box I will say that this is a GREAT album. It is indeed an album that epitomizes the American Heartland. This country was founded on the premise of religious freedom and if you've ever driven through those parts of the country you can FEEL the music of Kansas and know that it's sincere; whether or not you agree with their religious slant.

So, yeah, Kerry Livgren wrote about Christianity and his search for spirituality in spades throughout this record. He gets bashed, but Jon Anderson gets praised for saying: A seasoned witch can take you from the depths of your disgrace and he's considered profound! Go figure.

Leftoverture is nothing short of a masterpiece. It grates on many to hear American blues and country riffing on a progressive ROCK album. How ironic.

FIVE EASY STARS. One of the FINEST progressive ROCK albums of all time.