POINT OF KNOW RETURN

When I started to listen progressive rock in a serious way beck in 1976, used to feel I was born too late, never had the chance to see Gabriel singing Supper's Ready, the classic Yes Lineup with Bruford and Wakeman together or King Crimson with Greg Lake. All the records I bough were five or six years old, it was a bit sad to be a young kid living in the past.

But in 1978 things were different for the first time, I had the chance to go to USA and heard the song Point of Know Return in the radio which impressed me instantly, the mixture of folk violin with hard rock passages and a progressive spirit that was wonderful. But the best thing of all was that according to the radio the album was recently released , at last great music from my present, an album that I could proudly show to my prog' friends (who wereolder than me) saying "hey this is music from my time".

Went inmediately to the store and didn't had to ask about it because there was a poster with the fabulous art covet in the front door, so I bought it without listening any other track, hoping that the rest of the songs were at least barely similar to the one I heard on the radio, the only doubt I had was that obviously Kansas was a USA prog' band, a rare specie I never knew before that day.

At the first listen I became a Kansas fan, never cared when I read reviews accusing them of being Pompous Pop, AOR or American Copycats of British music, I was sure (and still I am) that they have an absolutely unique sound, that blends many styles an genres as only a few genius can.

Even after listening the previous and more progressive Kansas albums, I believe Point of Know Return is one of their peaks, people say Dust in the Wind is a poppy ballad which is partially truth (the lyrics are too obscure and pesimist to be considered commercial), but not many bands were able to create such a beautiful melody which only started to sound weak after it was overplayed in radio, but that's a different problem.

I always believed Point of Know Return is almost a concept album about depression because the band expresses their feelings about the futile aspect of life, songs like Closet Chronicles or Portrait (He Knew) are written in past tence to enhance the nostalgic feeling and the sense of emptyness left by death, Dust in the Wind is probably the most pesimistic track of the album, life has no meening, we're only dust in the wind and Hopelesly Human, well, the title says it all.

The music is outstanding and the album has a perfect balance, breathtaking tracks as Point of Know Return or Lightnings Hand or almost metal songs as Sparks in the Tempest are followed by sad and softer ones as the previously mentioned Dust in the Wind or Hopeleslly Human, a very powerful ballad with the complexity of symphonic prog.

The work of the Kansas members is outstanding, Phil Ehard is probably the most underrated drummer with an impecable and complete style who is complemented in the rythm section by Dave Hope, Steve Walsh is a competent keyboardist and in 1977 his voice was really good, Rich William's guitar solos are simply incredible.

But the powerof the band rests in the other two members Kerry Livegren who was one of the best composers of Progressive Rock History and Robbie Steindhardt who can make the listener almost cry with the sadnes and nostalgia that his wonderful violin creates. If any instrument represents Kansas it's the violin without doubt.

I know that earlier albums are more progressive or technically more complex, but Point of Know Return along with Leftoverture will remain as my favorites because the band never could express their feelings and share them with the listener better than in the late 70's.

Five stars for a real masterpiece of North American Progressive Rock.