This one "shoulda been a contender" and it "woulda" had it been more consistent lyrically and musically...I "coulda" done without a couple of the cheesy tracks here. If you listen, you can hear the sound of the band spltting apart between Walsh's more straight-ahead rock and roll proclivities and Livgren's deeper, complex, spiritual yearnings. I saw them on tour during this period, and while they still retained their legendary stage might, they were not as cohesive. Enough psychoanalysis...what about these songs? Well, "Relentless" is a fantastic, driving rocker with superb lyrics and great, passionate performances all around. "Anything for You" is an unqualified clunker, a real stinker, an amazing letdown that has few equals in the Kansas canon. Dumb lyrics and half-baked music doom this one from the get-go. Thankfully, the band moves quickly back to a peak with "Hold On," a magnificent, gorgeous ballad that is a unique love song: a plea from Livgren to his wife to listen to the call of Christ. This song is both stately and impassioned which explains a lot about its enduring appeal. Walsh's vocal work here ranks with his best ever. So, can the band maintain the momentum gained by "Hold On"? Well, "Loner" makes a valiant attempt. It is a blazing little track, quite unlike anything else the band has done, with Walsh singing his guts out. The whole band really cooks here. And "Curtain of Iron" kicks it up a notch--it has the feel of those classic epics of yore. The lyrics are very prescient, with memorable instrumental passages in a suite-style presentation. But then...catastrophe strikes..."Got to Rock On" is another chessy bit of hokum, and the less said about it, the better. Fortunately, "Don't Open Your Eyes" sets things right--a wild frightmare of a ride that is reminiscent of "Mysteries and Mayhem" from MASQUE, albeit not quite as heavy. Kerry Livgren really steps up with the next track, the classic "No One Together," which is a superb prog presentation...stellar arranging, superb playing, uplifting lyrics, intriguing mood shifts. "No Room for a Stranger" is instantly forgettable and makes one grateful for the fast-forward button. However, the closing track, "Back Door" is a real winner, with a lovely melody, heartfelt words, and an innovative sound--is that bagpipes at the end? Epic/Legacy did a nice job of presenting this CD package and it sounds great. Overall, several tracks here rank among the absolute best that Kansas has ever done...but there are a couple of mis-steps to avoid that knock this one down a star.