POINT OF KNOW RETURN

The American outfit's most significant release, both commercially and historically, 'Point Of Know Return' would mark the end of Kansas' 1970s progressive phase, in the process selling millions of copies and giving the group their biggest hit to date. Like many of their contemporaries, the 1980s would see Kansas start to to pursue a more mainstream direction, a transition begun on this 1977 album and confirmed by follow-up 'Monolith', yet they wouldn't entirely dispense with the experimental art-rock flourishes that gives their music such a distinctive sound. However, 'Point Of Know Return' is considered by many as their last truly progressive effort, sharing a similar sonic scope with previous albums 'Song For America', 'Masque' and 'Leftoverture'. This time round, though, the English prog influences seem less pronounced. Kansas' sound always seemed like some kind of unique hybrid between fellow countrymen's Journey's mid-seventies classic rock style and the bouncy, symphonic progressive rock of Yes, only with a rootsy charm delivered by the violin of Robby Steinhardt. Here, the music is, for the whole, much more rock-based, with an emphasis on slicker production values and emotive balladry. The occasional musical detour into more arty areas shows that Kansas haven't entirely eschewed their progressive past - final track 'Hopelessly Human' sees to that - yet when compared to their previous albums 'Point Of Know Return' does seem rather lightweight. The end of an impressive era, this fifth album still has much to recommend, both to fans of AOR and prog, yet ultimately it's a step in the wrong direction.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012