Leftoverture (Exp)

In my review of Masque, I revealed I'm a prog-rock nut; love the stuff. And this is a perfect example of why that type of music appeals to me so much.

Interestingly, as I was listening to Masque at the office with my headphones on (which, if you read my other reviews, is where and how I tend to do most of my listening), a co-worker stopped by to drop off a project. I asked him (a fellow music freak) what he thought of Kansas. He said "I really liked in them in my day." He also said he understands why I like them: they blend the elements of progressive rock I like with good, old-fashioned Midwest rock.

His comments were ironic because when I got back from lunch with the remastered Leftoverture firmly in hand, I started reading the liner notes...and was blown away by the first few lines: "The trouble with most art rock could be two-fold -- the art and the rock. As a rule, the art rock as pioneered by some of the British progressive practioners of the Seventies onwards was arty enough, but the rock part often left a lot to be desired. Kansas, on the other hand, rocked."

Bingo. That's why I like Kansas so much. They plumb the depths of all the classical, mythological territory explored by their "art-rock" contemporaries, but they add their own unique guitar-driven sound to the mix. Livgren and Williams are two excellent guitarists, each playing off the strengths of the other and creating some of rock's most memorable riffs.

Leftoverture, Kansas' fourth album, is astounding in its musicianship, vision and lyrical depth. If you read Kerry Livgren's biography (the now-out-of-print "Seeds of Change: The Spiritual Quest of Kerry Livgren") you'll gain valuable insights into why Leftoverture sounds the way it does lyrically. Songs like "The Wall" and "Carry On Wayward Son" are rife with Christian import and imagery.

Livgren's book is essential reading if you also want to know why Kansas sounds the way it does musically. His chapter on creativity and craftmanship in music is brilliant and reveals why so much of today's music sounds the way it does.

Musically, Leftoverture is wall-to-wall brilliance. Each track is a study in how music ought to sound and be played, from the opening "Carry On Wayward Son" to the poignant "The Wall" to the closing, aptly titled "Magnum Opus." Craftsmanship, indeed.

I'm listening to "Miracles Out of Nowhere" right now and am totally blown away by the mastering on this CD. Each instrument pops out distinctively and without apology. The bass is crisp and bouncy. The drums are deep and driving. The keyboards and violins are incredibly bright, and there are parts of this song I swear I've never heard before with previous masterings (such as a crystal-clear acoustic guitar that rings out beside the other instruments).

I haven't said anything yet about Steve Walsh's vocals, but that's a mixed blessing to me. On this album he's probably at his peak of perfection. What a voice! By way of contrast, his voice today is such a pale imitation that I'm truly saddened. He's still an amazing performer, but he's not what he used to be vocally. So if you're a fan of soaring, crystal-clear rock voices (a la Steve Perry or Dennis DeYoung), this is an album you'll want to own. Just be aware when you buy Kansas CDs of today, or see them live (yes, they're still touring!) that you won't be hearing the same Steve Walsh.

That said, I must say Kansas is one of America's truly great rock bands -- art or otherwise. They combined elements of art rock with solid guitar-driven rock...and managed to create a unique sound all their own that still sounds good some 25 years after it was first recorded.

Leftoverture, in this remastered format, is absolutely essential for all fans of extraordinary music.


Kansas+Leftoverture=Excellence!   September 11, 2002
Samhot (Star Land)
26 out of 29 found this review helpful

Arguably, Kansas is to America, what bands like Yes, Genesis, E.L.P., Queen, The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull are to England--progressive rock with mystical and patriotic tendencies. The other resemblance to these bands is their constant hybridization of musical styles. But, make no mistake--they are original, not clones of the above English counterparts. Throughout the early part of Kansas' career (i.e. the 1970's), Kansas mixed the worlds of hard rock with blues, classical, jazz, country and more. This can be heard throughout their classic years--which brings us to _Leftoverture_.

_Leftoverture_ deserves all the recognition and praise it gets. It's a solidly crafted progressive rock album that happens to be catchy, while containing an amalgamation of musical styles, and all along, still manages to save room for extended instrumental jams. Carry On Wayward Son is the big hit of the album--the greatness does not end there. The Wall is an anthemic rocker. What's On My Mind combines funkiness and hard rock. Miracles Out Of Nowhere is mystical and dramatic progressive hard rock at it's finest. Melodic vocal harmonies can be found here as well. Opus Insert features vocal harmonies reminiscent of CCR and Queen. Questions Of My Childhood features some country-esque influences. Cheyenne Anthem starts off with some nice acoustic guitar passages, then segues into a quirky romp/waltz. Magnum Opus ends this gem perfectly as mostly quirky, virtuosic instrumental insanity.

Kansas is arguably the most _accessible_ progressive rock band. If you want melodic, dramatic and mystical music, armed with diversity and touches of ambiguity and accessiblity, check Kansas--and this album out.

5 stars? Asolutely!


Arguably the best (and perhaps the only) American progressive rock band...   June 26, 2006
Grigory's Girl (NYC)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Kansas is an anomaly in American rock. They are probably the only truly progressive rock band in American history, and a damn good one. They can stand with any of the great British progressive bands (and I love progressive rock). This album is definitely the one I dig the most. While Song for America and Point of No Return are excellent too, this one is the most consistent with not one bad track in the whole album. My 2 favorite songs are Miracles Out of Nowhere and Magnum Opus. I love the intricacy of both of them, especially the latter. From their debut through Monolith, they were putting out great album after great album. Their arrangements and songwriting was some of the best American rock ever produced. It's a shame that they splintered in the 1980's, and ended up in so many different incarnations. But we still have their 70's output to hold onto...






The preeminent American progressive recording   July 20, 2002
Kidamadeus (Warner-Robins, Georgia United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

What a classic recording this is. Wonderful production, excellent musicianship, and songwriting that rivals much of what else came out over the last 30 years. This is a classic recording which belongs in any real collection.

Queen had "Bohemian Rhapsody", The Beatles had "Sgt Pepper". Leftoverture is Kansas' peak recording. Grand in scope and stylish in execution, this CD shows a great band at the height of it's power.

Judging Leftoverture only from hearing the radio staple "Carry On Wayward Son" is unfair...and while that song may have been played to death by classic rock radio over the years, the rest of the recording remained (for the most part) off the airwaves. "What's On My Mind" is a rocker that reminds me of Boston to a degree, and "Cheyenne Anthem" is a rocking, yet emotionally moving song about the loss of indian lands. To me, the gem of this album comes in the five-part suite "Magnum Opus". This is a progressive rock masterpiece on par with "2112" by Rush, "Supper's Ready" by Genesis, or "Close To The Edge" by Yes.

Some albums have masterpiece written all over them, and this is one of them. I say 5-stars all the way!

As I see it:

5-Stars: If you like Kansas, progressive rock, or classic rock with strong musicianship.

4-Stars: If you like more modern music, but want to add classics to your collection.

3-Stars: If you lean more toward metal, alternative, or any of the numerous other newer genres of music.

2-Stars: If your taste in 70's music leans more toward Velvet Underground, Ramones, etc., or you really like much more straight ahead rock.

1-Star: If you are tone deaf, or just won't listen to anything before 1988.


A timeless classic   June 28, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

No matter where I am at when I hear this album, it still brings back fantastic memories of my teenage years in the 70's. While all my buddies were listening to Boston's debut album which was released right around the same time, I was listening to this album which I always felt was a notch better. It was one of the first "rock-n-roll" albums I purchased. In fact, I first owned it on 8-Track, replaced that wonderful 8-Track technology with an LP and eventually graduated to a CD. I also recorded it onto a cassette so I could listen to it in my car. From the opening of "Carry On Wayward Son" to the ending of "Magnum Opus", there is not one bad track on this album. Even after 27 years, I still play this album at very loud volumes.

Although Kansas as well as Styx, Journey, Boston and Foreigner and many other bands have long been citicized for starting the "corporate rock" style (aren't you tired of hearing that term), I will rate this album as one of my top 10 favorites.