The Kansas thread

arcer wrote: In fact, forgot to mention, I currently have a personally burned 2CD best of set in my car CD changer at the moment - any band that can make me stretch a best of to 160mins can't be that bad!

Those are great thoughts. Here in the states in 1974-5 there was never a question about this band at all. They were the real deal whether it was progressive, rock, blues or ballads these guys could do it all. Maybe that it what it is about them that is great.  BTW Monolith Kerry had not yet converted so if it is preachy I don't know where that came from.  He converted in between that album and his solo album Seeds of Change(Which has two great songs with Ronnie James Dio doing vocals)  about a year or so after Monolith.

   . That is just my taste.7th...I like dark/depressing lyrics and I just don't find Kansas very dark and depressing. Once again....just my tastes. I realize Gabriel wasn't depressing but I love his eccentricity

There is just something small missing from Kansas's lyrics and because of their social songs and their upbringing it rings Hick Progressive to my ears....albeit good Hick Progressive

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I understand what you are saying.  There was a time I felt I neede the darkness of things also.  Pete wrote some very dark stuff on Tresspass IMO.  It is funny You say they are too lighthearted I had one friend told me Kansas was too depressing for their tatste.  Whatever. :-) I am glad you enjoy them and didn't let that stop you from enjoying what you can.  They have been part of my life for thirty years and are as important to me as all of the groups you mentioned. One nice thing is they still tour almost every year too.

OK, I am doing everyone a favor who only wants to hear just the “prog” songs Kansas did.  I have made a list by album (Only Original Lineup) which songs would fit as the definition of “prog” I have seen here:

Album                                                             Songs

Kansas:                          Belexis, Journey To MariaBronn, Aprecu, Death of Mother Nature Suite       

Song For America:      Title Track, Lamplight Symphony, Imcamudro-Hymn to the Atman

Masque:                         Mysteries and Mayhem, The Pinnacle, All the World, Icarus

LeftOverature:             Miracles Out of Nowhere, Opus Insert, Cheyenne Anthem, Magnus Opus   

Point of Know Return:       Closet Chronicles, Nobodys Home, Helplessly Human

Monolith:                        On the Other Side, Away from you, Angels have Fallen, Glimpse of Home

Audio Visions:                   No One Together, Curtain of Iron

Somewhere to Elsewhere:  Icarus II, Myriad, Distant Vision  

If all you are looking for is this format this list should help you but I think you are missing out on so much more theat these guys have to offer.