DEVICE - VOICE - DRUM (DVD)

Finally catching up with the times, Kansas released its first ever Live Show DVD in 2002. The DVD is quite good, but there are a few weak areas that are disappointing. The set list is pretty good, but there are some significant absences. One of those is Magnum Opus. The only clip that is played of that masterpiece is "Howlin' at the Moon", which isn't bad at all, but it would've been nice to have all of the piece played. "Hold On", which is one of their better works in the later days of the original lineup, was not played, as well as other good tracks like "Can I Tell You", "Death of Mother Nature Suite", and many others. In fact, there isn't a single song played from "Monolith" or "Audio-Visions". There are some good songs nonetheless, like "Icarus", "Song for America", "The Wall", "Journey from Mariabronn", and more including the staples "Dust in the Wind" (which has a very nice arrangement with added strings) and "Carry on Wayward Son".

The sound quality is top-notch. If you get this DVD playing on a good sound system, you'll be blown away. The picture has a sort of grainy look sometimes, but it doesn't occur too often and isn't very noticiable. The light show and stage presence of the band is pretty good as well (especially Robby, who does his fair share of dancing). The bonus features are kind of lame. Sure, it's cool to hear all of the band members talk about this and that, but it's not anything epic like the documentary in "Rush in Rio". It would've been nice to have quite a bit more insight into the band members' lives and thoughts, and the little bit that they give you just makes you want more.

This is a great buy for Kansas fans, but it's no masterpiece.