KANSAS

Back in the prog rich nineteen seventies, good American symphonic prog bands were not in great abundance. Sure, we had the fusion bands, but prog was not in the forefront. Then there was Kansas.

This, their debut was a great entry in the field. Even the more straight ahead rock songs, Can I Tell You, Bringing It Back and The Pilgrimage are lace with stong prog trimmings. And the meat of the album, Belexes, Journey From Mariabronn, Apercu and Death Of Mother Nature Suite are up there with the best symphonic prog of the decade. Only the slow ballad, the religious toned Lonely Wind breaks up the energy of the album. But with the high intensity of all of the other songs, it's a welcome break.

4.5 stars, rounded up.