LEFTOVERTURE

There seems to be a great divide among the reviewers of this album. On one side, you have those Americans who give 5 stars out of Patriotism and Pride- Kansas was probably one of the best things going in American prog. Then you have the Eurocentric prog fans who, like the rest of their European comrades, make American bashing the national sport and give this album 2 or 3 stars.

I find myself caught up in the middle. I am a proud America who likes (and understands) the music of Kansas. But I also recognize that America was and is light years behind Europe (particularily the UK) when it comes to making the music I love. Still, when compared to some of the worst of Europrog(think Zeuhl), Kansas is pretty darned good.

The good: As a collection of songs, this album is really good. You have "Carry On Wayward Son", of course. "Opus Insert" is rather good. And I've always had "Miracles Out of Nowhere" as one of my personal favorites- I love the keyboards in the middle of the song.

The bad: Not really bad, but I just think more could have been done with "Magnum opus".

The ugly: Is it just me, or does it seem like the circus interlude in the middle of "Cheyenne Anthem" messes up what could have been the best song on the album ?

This was a difficult rate in terms of the number of stars to give it. Clearly, if there is to be an essential album of Prog by an American band, this should be it. But it does seem to be missing something. Still, it is a great album, one which is worthy of 5 stars as an essential album of Progressive music.