SONG FOR AMERICA

SONG FOR AMERICA is the prog rock highlight of Kansas's career, even if about 1/3 of the running time is devoted to more simple rock tunes. Sure, ''Lonely Street'' is a little more than a bluesy rocker in 11/8 and ''Down the Road'' has some Lynyrd Skynyrd/Ten Years After vibe, but Kansas could pump more life into those songs than most other rock/blues/bar bands. The ''Devil Game'' is a particularly fiendish track with stellar guitar solos.

However, prog fans only care about the Kerry Livgren penned epics, all running at least eight minutes in length with two breaking double digits. The title track to the album is simply the archetype of the Kansas library with a memorable opening riff, stunning instrumental middle section and themes that are properly developed. ''Hymn to the Atman'' is more poignant and longer, but still has a pumping middle section (with a synth solo) and even has an interesting drum solo. The only problem is the echo on Steve Walsh's voice. And would you believe me if I said ''Lamplight Symphony'' is the weakest track overall?

Kansas had many things going right for them in the prog direction, but they also knew how to rock out and keep their albums level. For that, SONG FOR AMERCIA is a highly recommendable album in the prog realm that is as complex as it is entertaining.