POINT OF KNOW RETURN

I am a very old Kansas fan (because of my age, but also because I discovered them in 1975) but I have some problems with this work. I really do not understand how this album could be rated so high here. Actually, it is considered as the best Kansas album ever (before my rating).

This one opens with the quite AOR "Point of Know Return". This number is not bad but it is far to reach the level of some previous great openers. Same feeling prevails with "Paradox" : a good rocking number with some nice intrumental sections, good rythm (drumming & bass) but not reaching the level of the historic Kansas songs although one of the good songs of this album.

"The Spider" is a short intrumental that starts almost like an ELP song. Since I am an ELP fan as well, there is nothing wrong here. It is not the first time I make this relation ("Magnus Opus" also had some ELP flavour). Only that it lacks a bit in personality, which is not usual for them. The short format of the songs is also a new feature for the band. So far, they always had developped some long songs with lots of rythm changes and crazy instrumental passages. In this album, there won't be anything close to that, unfortunately.

"Portrait (He Knew)" starts like one of their epic, but soon it reverts to a pure rock tune but sub-par while compared with others of this style although that it ends quite brilliantly.

"Closet Chronicles" is one of the (too) few highlight : some great instrumental moments (finally !) and some nice (too short) vocals at the end. It is still a deception because I am still waiting for the first real great moment on this album. Nothing like "Journey from Mariabronn" from their first release or "Incomudro - Hymn to the Atman" from Song For America. Just a few good rock songs but where is the Kansas trademark ? Almost gone...even if "Lightning's Hand" is another good hard-rock number.

Then comes "Dust In The Wind" : their first full acoustic number and most popular tune ever (it will peak at the sixth position in the US charts). It is a nice acoustic ballad but by no means should this track be a highlight on their first two albums. "Sparks of the Tempest" is a bizarre track : funky-hard-rock style for most of it but with a fantastic instrumental middle section. Rather unusual for Kansas.

"Nobody's Home" is not too bad either, but again nothing exceptional. Just a nice little rock ballad. The sole number that can compete with their classic is "Helplessly Human" : it is the longest song and it is full of fabulous intrumentals and vocals parts like we all love from Kansas. But we have reached the last track of the album to hear this very good song. Guitar work as well as keys are really great, and the background violin and piano are very subtle. A very nice piece of music.

Maybe that this was the point of no return for Kansas. On their behalf, it is also their fifth album within only three years... The weakest Kansas work so far IMO. Their elaborate and prog side is drifting away, Their most creative period (their first two albums) is behind, I'm afraid. This record is of course not bad, but Kansas had used us to better things. Two stars.