KANSAS

"Kansas" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by US, Kansas based progressive rock act Kansas. The album was released through Kirshner Records in the US and through Epic Records in Europe in March 1974. Kansas is obviously named after the band member´s homestate, but before changing their name to Kansas the band members had been involved in various other groups and different constellations of those groups in the years 1969-1973. Saratoga, White Clover, and Proto-Kaw were the names of those bands, but at some early point they were also called Kansas, so it was nothing new that this was the name they opted to use when they got signed to Don Kirshner's label in March 1973. The material for the album was recorded at two sessions in September 1973 and in December 1973.

Stylistically Kansas play and eclectic combination of progressive rock, hard rock, and various American music styles. Kansas just sound very Amerian. They may have been influenced by some of the progressive music structures and virtuoso playing of the late 60s/early 70s European progressive rock scene, but they put their own American spin on it, and came out with something pretty unique. The vocals are very expressive, heartfelt, and paatos filled, and they are anything but subtle. High pitched and belted out with full force, but still in a very sophisticated and skilled manner. The lead vocals are complimented by choirs and harmonies. In addition to guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, the music also features the use of piano/organ/moog, and violin.

It´s mostly the two longer tracks "Journey From Mariabronn" and "Death Of Mother Nature Suite", which can be labelled progressive rock, while most of the other tracks on the album are either more hard rocking or more power ballad type tracks (all however still featuring a progressive rock element). Again though with a level of sophistication and performance skill that you don´t hear often. The band´s more simple tracks could easily (and did) be played on rock radio, but it´s when they really deliver tight and challenging progressive playing that they shine the most ("Journey From Mariabronn" is for example a jaw-dropping track). The high level musicianship makes even the most complex and difficult to play parts sound easy and perfectly natural, and that´s when you know a band are really skilled and well playing. The album features a powerful, detailed and organic sounding production, and upon conclusion it´s a good quality debut album by Kansas. They would evolve and write even better tunes on future releases, but this one is still a great debut album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.