POINT OF KNOW RETURN

Point of Know return is a pyrotechnic album which shows the best that Kansas has to offer as progressive musicians. It probably isn't their strongest album with regards to song writing. There are no great progressive epics in the vein of Song for America or Magnum Opus, but it suits the album fine. It's really more of a musical gun show where the band hardly takes a breath from start to finish. Sure there is some of the Kansas' staple Americana with tributes to Einstein and Howard Hughes, but they could easily be singing about wax paper and still blow my socks off. The only throw-aways are the radio play staple Dust in the Wind phoned in on a finger warm up by Kerry Livgren and funk inspired faux rant Sparks of Tempest. Otherwise every other track explodes with completely excessive soloing and vocals. Even songs which are lyrically weak like Lightning's Hand are elevated to near perfection instrumental prowess.

It's a hard fought four out of five, but is ultimately well deserved. There are few of the songs on this album I love from start to finish (except the first 3, they rule without exception). A little patience pays off however. If you can last through the sometimes stilted and overreaching lyrics you won't fail to be impressed. This a progressive rocker's paradise with heavy emphasis on the rock.