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Power

Kansas

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Album Review

After a three-year hiatus, Kansas re-formed in 1986, signed with MCA, and released Power. The album bears virtually no resemblance to the old Kansas style; in fact, it's more hard rock and pop than prog rock, and the tough-yet-sleek opener, "Silhouettes in Disguise," immediately announces the change to listeners. "Power" was a minor hit and the simple chorus is effective. "All I Wanted" is pure pop, and this Top 20 hit single features lush keyboards and Steve Walsh's earnest, melodramatic vocals. The instrumental "Musicatto" is the album's primary link to Kansas' prog rock past. "Taking in the View" is a gentle song featuring sweet acoustic guitar and a children's chorus. "Three Pretenders" and "Tomb 19" both rely on strong rock & roll hooks and soaring choruses. "Can't Cry Anymore" is an orchestra-based ballad. Power probably surprised longtime Kansas fans with its musical shift, but the addition of Steve Morse gave the band an interesting — if ultimately short-lived — new direction.

Customer Reviews

Walsh is back, Livgren is gone.

Steve Walsh returns in good voice. Steve Morse adds excellent guitar. Phil Ehart is the best drummer in American rock. What is missing is what Kerry Livgren brought to the group; and the synergy of the original six members together. Missing is the balance of Rock vs. spirituality; because Walsh's spiritual writings do not ring true. This is not just an issue of "Christian" lyrics, but of the searching and longing of a spiritual element in each of us; for Livgren realized in his Christian faith. "Power" is an excellent song, from a good album. I like songs 2,3, & 9. Start by downloading these three; and then consider filling out the rest of your purchase with iTunes new feature allowing album completion at a discounted price.

The most underrated album of the 80's

Kansas always had a flair for sounding only like themselves. This was only problematic when the success of "Left Overture" created a vacuum in the music industry that was quickly filled by other bands of the time virtually copying the Kansas sound. When Steve Walsh left the band, even Kansas sounded like a copy of themselves with his replacement, John Elefante. On this triumphant return, gone are the elements that made Kansas retro. The addition of Steve Morse took the band to a level of musicality they had never reached before, and the absence of Kerry Livgren's often meandering lyrical direction and focus on arrangement above songcraft forced the band to write in a more hook oriented direction. It worked and this album is a sonic masterpiece.

Overlooked

This CD represents the "reformation" of Kansas with the return of Steve Walsh. Although, I was a big fan of John Elefante, Walsh's return brought high hopes. This album did not disappoint. Although not typical Kansas, I was impressed. I bought it when it originally came out and again when it appeared on iTunes.

Biography

Formed: 1970 in Topeka, KS

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '70s, '80s

Fusing the complexity of British prog rock with an American heartland sound representative of their name, Kansas were among the most popular bands of the late '70s; though typically dismissed by critics, many of the group's hits remain staples of AOR radio play lists to this day. Formed in Topeka in 1970, the founding members of the group — guitarist Kerry Livgren, bassist Dave Hope, and drummer Phil Ehart — first played together while in high school; with the 1971 addition of classically...
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