Somewhere to Elsewhere

I keep reminding myself while listening to Icarus II that this was released BEFORE 9/11/2001. Who could've known that the United States & the world would change so drastically? Livgren's perspective that it is the evil in the hearts of humans that propels them to violence & war and "answer in kind 'til it's over & we're safe" is dead on, at least, in my opinion. Except for a few songs, most are great. You can see a little less speed & the adrenaline of their earlier days on this album but the quality of the band members performance is still solid for being 25+ years later. Steve was working on a solo album at the time so he sent over his vocals. Makes me wonder if this was kind of a fulfillment of the contract that Mr. Walsh broke in the early Eighties due to conflict with Kerry's increasing Christian lyrical content.

Easily my favorite Kansas album since Vinyl Confessions...or Drastic Measures for that matter, for I was not the biggest fan of the Kansas albums done without Kerry Livgren. Very good songs here, which are all written by Livgren. My three favorite songs are Icarus 2, The Coming Dawn and Disappearing Skin Tight Blues. Nice to hear Robbie Steinhardt again on both violin and vocals. Billy Greer also sings lead on one song and sounds very good. The only thing not letting me give this album five stars is Steve Walsh’s singing voice, which has never sounded so ragged and worn out. This works for Icarus 2, but not so good elsewhere. Also, he wasn’t creatively involved here and recorded his vocals separate from the rest of the band. It would have been nice if the all original line-up played on the tour, but alas, no. Still, in terms of songs and musicianship this is a very strong album and highly recommended.

This is one of my favorite Kansas efforts , Robbie Shines in this . The music shows a more mature Kansas and is the best cd they have done in years . I saw the doing this tour as all the other line up changes . This is Kansas perfection .

Just saw Kansas live at casino in southern Indiana. They were good. Really enjoyed the show. It is interesting that they didn't do any songs from this album. That may be a testimony to how great they think it is compared to their earlier stuff. The concert was heavy on early stuff. This is a good album and refreshing to have them getting back to their classic sound. the musicians are awesome. Walsh has burnt out the higher range of his voice so the vocals are a little disappointing. And Kansas' peak has come and gone in the mid to late 70's. That all being said...this is an album well worth having. It is a return to the longer songs that take you on a journey. It is a move away from the pop songs they released in the 80's. Although Look At The Time is a little bit pop. For me this is an album worth having to connect Kansas back with their classic stuff. However I would encourage anyone who discovered this album first to go back and get Leftoverture and Point of No Return. Those are Kansas at their best. Wish I had seen them then when they were in their heyday!

All bands reach their peak... Kansas did it many years ago and in comparison to those releases, this (while decent) just isnt as good. But it is what it is... a reunion release of the original band. Still enjoyable, but no one should expect it to match the glory days of the band, which is a time I really regret not going to see them live.

me dio gusto que regresaron a sus raices, creo que les perjudico las portadas de los 80's y 90's Sigue siendo una de mis bandas preferidas en el concepto progresivo

... I don't know where I've been to have missed this album. Old school Kansas - can't get enough of it!

When I first heard that they were making this album, I thought it would be ok. Boy was I wrong. It's one of my favorite and it's always playing in my car!!!!!!!

I'm a "Wheathead", that is, a die hard Kansas fan, I've got all of their albums even all the "compilations". But I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. Tracks 1, 5, 8 and 9 are solid pieces of work, and track 11 is a good humor piece that represents their wacky sense of humor, (they could write a book on their tour stories which are hilarious). The other tracks however, seem inconsistant, with an idea but no direction, some of this can be contributed to Emperor Steve Walsh who has admirably conquered his addictions, but alienated himself from his fans, and in this case, his band as well, on this effort, all of Steve's material was done outside, in short to put it in someone's words about Steinhardt's recent departure (after this album) Steve also "telephoned in" his performance. Kerry and Steve wrote the material in the 70's, but the band each one of them contributed vastly to the sound. Phil Ehart's rapid shot solid drum playing, Dave Hope and Billy's base playing, Richard's Meatwall guitar riffs and versatility, as well as Robbie's fiery violin playing. The lack of a real "re-union" as in "in person, all together" shows on this album. I love the band, just not as thrilled about this album effort.

The old Kansas is back. I must admit, though, I didn't immediately love this album, but it didn't take me long. The second listen had me hooked. While the tone of Steve Walsh's voice has changed over the years a bit, the production is great and the songs provide a glimpse back to the Kansas of the 70s. The first song, Icarus II, and Look At the Time are excellent. Personally, I think Myriad and Distant Vision represent some of their best work. This is the best album since Monolith, a must have for any Kansas fan.