POINT OF KNOW RETURN

The boys from Topeka did not slow down a bit after the breakthrough success of Leftoverture. They followed it up the very next year with what would become their most popular album ever and achieve something that had eluded the band for years - a top 10 single. Point of Know Return contains the smash hit Dust In The Wind. An all acoustic track that was nothing like any song KANSAS had ever done before or would ever do again. The track was a "Dream Hit" for their record company. Because of it's unique style, the song was a huge crossover hit that could be played on Rock stations, easy listening formats, and even country radio.

Steve Walsh (vocals) had finally gotten past the "writer's block" he was struggling with during the Leftoverture sessions. This time around he and Kerry Livgren (guitars/keyboards) co-wrote virtually every song.

I have to admit that Point Of Know Return will always hold a special place in my musical background. In 1977 I was in Junior High school, and bought the album when it was fresh and new. Played it all the way thru dozens of times. This is simply one of those albums I love. There are just so many great songs. "All Killer, No Filler" as they say. Sparks of the Tempest is my favorite track. It's style and sound is so different then anything else I had ever heard. Great lyrics, vocal delivery, keyboard and guitar solos, man, it's got it all.

Some older fans began to criticize the fact that the album contained too many short songs and none of the epic-length tracks they had come to expect. Some considered it a "sell-out" album that was way too commercial for their tastes. KANSAS may have lost some of their older fan base, but they more than made up for it in the legions of new fans that this "commercial" achievement eventually brought them. This album, along with Leftoverture, are two of the best KANSAS albums you could ever own. Definitely a great place to start if for some reason you don't own any KANSAS music (gasp!).

This 2002 EPIC/Legacy remaster contains two bonus tracks. A "Live" version of (my favorite) Sparks of the Tempest and a newly remixed version of Portrait (He Knew) by original producer Jeff Glixman.