So what album could possibly get me motivated enough to create this blog? If you know a lot about me, you might be surprised. I've chosen Point of Know Return by Kansas.First, a little history:
Kansas are most often categorized as a progressive rock band. The reason this is important is because at the time, progressive rock was primarily a British scene. Kansas was really the first band to push the genre into the American audience's ears. Songs like "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry On Wayward Son" were appealing because they were similar to the American sound of the time.
Now... why would I have chosen Point of Know Return? Kansas' most famous album is probably Leftoverture, which was released a year earlier, and my favorite album by them is Masque, which was still a year before that. The reason I chose this album is because it's just awesome.
It opens with the title track, which is a driving tune that does a great job of showing off everything I love about the band. The time signatures, dynamic phrasing, and noodly violin parts are fantastic. The very best part, though, is that the album, though diverse, never lets up in awesomeness. It continues with a similar second track, "Paradox," and then the extremely progressive instrumental, "The Spider." My favorite track is probably the fourth, though. "Portrait (He knew)" uses the 6/8 feel to switch between the bluesy verse and chorus to the twisty instrumental section at the end. It's really a must-hear.
I won't go on and on about each song, but they never cease to please. Although it goes without saying that I recommend all of my selections, I really think anyone that likes Kansas' hits should take a good look at this one.
Here's a free link to the album streaming from Napster:
http://free.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=10665993
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