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Joined: September 28 2012
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Points: 29
Posted: November 02 2012 at 05:41
Ye Bobbum Man wrote:
Whichever 10 of their songs are the shortest (mercifully) .In all seriousness I've only ever heard their classic rock radio staples and have NOT been impressed, however they seem to be getting a lot of love here on PA so I may use these top ten lists as a starting point.
Kansas's radio hits are the equivalent of Yes's "Owner of a Lonely Heart" - they are out of character for the band and do not do justice to their music as a whole.
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 29593
Posted: November 03 2012 at 04:02
Throw Sand wrote:
Ye Bobbum Man wrote:
Whichever 10 of their songs are the shortest (mercifully) .In all seriousness I've only ever heard their classic rock radio staples and have NOT been impressed, however they seem to be getting a lot of love here on PA so I may use these top ten lists as a starting point.
Kansas's radio hits are the equivalent of Yes's "Owner of a Lonely Heart" - they are out of character for the band and do not do justice to their music as a whole.
I quite like the radio hits. Dust In The Wind and Carry On Wayward Son are classics in my eyes. Owner Of Lonely Heart is okay but never considered it 'classic'
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5154
Posted: December 11 2012 at 10:59
To those not very familiar with the band, two advices:
1. don't get fooled by the radio hits, Kansas made a lot of great prog too, rocking symphonic we could call it, but similar to ELP putting some controversial track in most of their albums, Kansas included some very american rocker tracks here and there which may put down some people, I guess especially non-US people. Here in Europe I know people who are a bit put down by these.
2. my advice as ideal starter to better know the band would be the excellent double live Two For The Show but you should get either the original double LP or the 2008 edition with a bonus disc, because the original CD edition eliminated Closet Cronicles which IMO is one of the highlights of the original LP. While having the obvious limitations of a live album in terms of sound perfection, the tracklists contains many of their best songs and shows the high quality and energy of the musicians.
Like many other bands they went through a rather weak period, stick to the most highly rated albums.
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5154
Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:07
Ah, and the fact that Livgren could switch between guitar and keyboards (skillful at both) and the ability of Steve Walsh to play also keyboards gave them a versatility in their sound, especially live of course, that other bands couldn't have.
Joined: May 25 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Status: Offline
Points: 10970
Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:09
Gerinski wrote:
Ah, and the fact that Livgren could switch between guitar and keyboards (skillful at both) and the ability of Steve Walsh to play also keyboards gave them a versatility in their sound, especially live of course, that other bands couldn't have.
... except for GG ... and Robert Fripp ... and ... I know forgot someone.
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5154
Posted: December 11 2012 at 11:21
Dayvenkirq wrote:
Gerinski wrote:
Ah, and the fact that Livgren could switch between guitar and keyboards (skillful at both) and the ability of Steve Walsh to play also keyboards gave them a versatility in their sound, especially live of course, that other bands couldn't have.
... except for GG ... and Robert Fripp ... and ... I know forgot someone.
You nitpicky man Did I have to write in full that many other bands coudn't have ?
btw I guess you referred to Adrian Belew? never saw Fripp himself playing keyboards (although I wouldn't doubt that he can play them, I'm asking just out of curiosity).
Joined: December 08 2012
Location: Pacoima,CA,USA
Status: Offline
Points: 3150
Posted: April 04 2013 at 21:44
Dayvenkirq wrote:
Gerinski wrote:
Ah, and the fact that Livgren could switch between guitar and keyboards (skillful at both) and the ability of Steve Walsh to play also keyboards gave them a versatility in their sound, especially live of course, that other bands couldn't have.
... except for GG ... and Robert Fripp ... and ... I know forgot someone.
Geddy Lee
Edited by ProgMetaller2112 - April 04 2013 at 21:44
“War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.”
― George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
"Ignorance and Prejudice and Fear walk Hand in Hand"- Neil Peart
Joined: July 05 2013
Location: kentucky, usa
Status: Offline
Points: 81
Posted: July 06 2013 at 11:39
I'm surprised Kansas doesn't get more consideration as one of the top progressive bands. They have great talent, spirit, and energy. I guess maybe they spent too much time as a Pop Rock band and it makes them seem like a hybrid. Anyway...
10. Point of Know Return 9. People of the South Wind 8. Cheyenne Anthem 7. Carry On Wayward Son 6. The Wall 5. Song for America 4. Hopelessly Human 3. Nobody's Home 2. Journey from Mariabronn 1. Dust in the Wind (I know it's cliche...it's just so beautiful.)
Joined: April 26 2005
Location: Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 10616
Posted: July 07 2013 at 13:14
1. The Pinnacle
2. Lonely Wind
3. The Wall
4. Song For America
5. Carry On My Wayward Son
6. Mysteries And Mayhem
7. Magnum Opus
8. Lamplight Symphony
9. Closet Chronicles
10.Icarus - Borne On Wings Of Steel
Joined: March 29 2013
Location: WA
Status: Offline
Points: 4596
Posted: August 22 2013 at 00:03
Gerinski wrote:
Dayvenkirq wrote:
Gerinski wrote:
Ah, and the fact that Livgren could switch between guitar and keyboards (skillful at both) and the ability of Steve Walsh to play also keyboards gave them a versatility in their sound, especially live of course, that other bands couldn't have.
... except for GG ... and Robert Fripp ... and ... I know forgot someone.
You nitpicky man Did I have to write in full that many other bands coudn't have ?
btw I guess you referred to Adrian Belew? never saw Fripp himself playing keyboards (although I wouldn't doubt that he can play them, I'm asking just out of curiosity).
Fripp handled the live mellotron and electric piano duties following Ian MacDonald's departure. In the '73/'74 band David Cross also had a tron. Guess they figured having 2 on stage meant at least one would always be working
Joined: December 30 2012
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 35
Posted: October 07 2013 at 15:25
This was way too hard but these are the first 10 from my top 25 list
1. Magnum Opus 2. Mysteries And Mayhem / The Pinnacle 3. Icarus (Born on Wings of Steel) 4. Song For America 5. Death Of Mother Nature Suite 6. Journey From Mariabronn 7. Incomudro (Hymn To The Atman) 8. Lamplight Symhpony 9. Angels Have Fallen 10. The Wall
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Top 10 Kansas Songs
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Ye Bobbum Man wrote:
.In all seriousness I've only ever heard their classic rock radio staples and have NOT been impressed, however they seem to be getting a lot of love here on PA so I may use these top ten lists as a starting point.
Did I have to write in full that many other bands coudn't have ?
btw I guess you referred to Adrian Belew? never saw Fripp himself playing keyboards (although I wouldn't doubt that he can play them, I'm asking just out of curiosity).
