NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE (A PROG OPERA)

Despite his claim of "not being in Kansas anymore", Robby indulges in the same kind of AOR leanings pervading the late 70's Kansas output (e.g. Monolith or Audio-Visions), a trait mainly fleshed out in the massive solidarity of full-blown vocal harmonies with hard riffage that opens proceedings, and recurs along the entire album. I'm not complaining, however, he was helped by tremendous vocalists, including Bobby Kimball from Toto, and that is sonic value, indeed.

But take it easy, there's nothing to fear for the symphonic progger who comes to listen in good faith, because the golden violin in fact comes to shine in tracks like 3. Mother Earth (Is Calling You), 4. Rise of the Phoenix (a great instrumental prog moment for the whole band), 5. The Phoenix, and in the cover of Dust In The Wind, as well as in a some more lighthearted passage like Pizzacotto (yes, despite the silly pun).

The composition is rich in melodies, moods and nuances, and it's certainly worth the effort that he must have devoted to the task. Every song has received its own identity, not only by name or number, but, more importantly, by the ideas shaping its form, and an inner sense of purpose that comes to the light more and more with each listen. Still, there is occasion for fun and a good measure of irony too, like in track 9. Downtown Royalty, an AOR tour de force paying hommage to the golden era of stadium rock, while serving also as an ironic wink on the social background.

The fans of Kansas will love it, I guess, as anybody with an open ear and a rocking heart will.