SONG FOR AMERICA

One of the first prog bands I was in to (being from America and all). Once I discovered Yes, ELP, and Genesis the same year this album came out, I realized where a lot of the inspiration came from (though Kansas definitely had its own 'sound'). Having its own sound, I agree with one reviewer saying that "Down the Road" is similar to violin-led tracks from their first album (actually, maybe it was first-album material that didn't make it until this second album). "Song for America" not only puts them more into the prog camp, but it foreshadows similar political-agenda lyrics that would show up on one or two songs on Leftoverture. "Lamplight Symphony" is my favorite song on the album. In the best vein of Tony Banks and other mellotron/synth-led prog bands of the early 1970s, this song also tells a 'folkloric' story in the best tradition of Genesis and Yes (and others?). I like "Lonely Street" for its prog-style mixture of good-old 12-bar blues and odd time-signatures (is it 11/4, or alternating 6/4, 5/4 bars? Music theorists, please...). "The Devil Game" is interesting, only because of spastic time changes and wonderful alternating guitar solos (Williams and Livgren), not to mention some amazing bass work by Hope. Along with other bands experimenting with Eastern religious lyrics in songs, "Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman" speaks of a North American (native American?) realization of spiritual reality in the Hindu pantheon. More notable than the lyrics is the wonderful prog quality of the musical mood throughout the whole piece, especially the slow build up to the great finish. Ehart does a wonderful two-hands and single-bass-drum solo as an interlude between musical moods. Perhaps not essential, but certainly a worthy addition for any progger who wants to know the full depth of 1970s prog.