Shadowman [CD]

After the exhausting (and exhilirating) soul-purging of Glossolalia, Walsh takes on the less introspective role of worldly raconteur in Shadowman and the result is even more enjoyable.

One of the most striking things about Steve Walsh's later-in-life solo efforts is how guitar-dominated they are. While Walsh has always been a singer-keyboardist, with the emphasis on singer, it's refreshing to have a solo album where the soloist has the restraint and generosity to allow the other elements of the production to shine as well. And shine they do -- Joel Kosche's guitar work is a great complement to Walsh's lead vocals and keyboard textures, and Joe Franco provides some marvelous contrasts throughout on the drums.

There's not a throwaway track in the lot, from the straight-ahead rock of "Keep On Knockin'" and "Hell is Full of Heroes" to the other-worldly atmosphere of "Pages of Old" and the epic "After," I just lock the CD player on "repeat" and enjoy the ride.

If, you like me, love the voice of Steve Walsh, then this is must have. After five years of touring with Kansas Walsh finally releases another solo cd. This time, much different than Glossolia and much more listener friendly. Although Glossolia was good it had a very dark tone to it that the typical Kansas fan might not enjoy. Plus some of the songs were just out there. I give this four stars only because you would really have expected a few more songs on this cd after a five year hiatus. If you do happen to pick this up please visit his website for a couple of extra songs that you can download to add to this cd. And where's Kansas been anyway? Five years and nothing new. Come on guys. All the fans would love to see a new release unless you're waiting on Livgren to come to the rescue again. But Livgren appears to be too busy with his band Proto-Kaw and their work on the 3rd cd for 2008. Time will tell if Kansas releases anything new again.

As was the case after purchasing Steve Walsh's previous solo album "Glossolalia," I've just spent about two weeks playing his new album "Shadowman" to the point that I decided a break was needed. That's how much I've enjoyed this CD so far.

There are some similarities between "Glossolalia" and "Shadowman," but also some good differences. The songs seem to blend together better from start to finish on "Shadowman," and while there's still plenty of "in-your-face" sound blasting from the speakers, it's somehow toned down a touch, perhaps making "Shadowman" a bit more accessible. The faces have changed as well. Joel Kosche from Collective Soul steps in on guitar and bass (taking the place of longtime solo Walsh and Streets collaborator Mike Slamer on guitar, and Streets and Kansas mate Billy Greer on bass) and Kosche keeps the intensity level that Slamer brought to "Glossolalia" intact. Former Twisted Sister member and longtime session drummer Joe Franco sits behind the kit instead of the masterful Virgil Donati, and he manages to leave Donati pretty much unmissed as well. Michael Romeo from Symphony X provides some excellent textural flourishes with his "giga symphony," and former Kansas mate David Ragsdale is a welcome presence on violin on the song "After."

Of course, Walsh is excellent as always on keys. But it's always his powerful singing that stands out more than anything, and he's produced eight songs containing lyrics in typical Walsh style, filled with words that are either very down-to-earth or filled with parables that can force you to search for the meaning behind them.

There are straight-ahead rockers, a couple of softer songs, and there are progressive gems to be found here. For the most part, THIS CD ROCKS!

This CD blasts off right away with "Rise." Franco's drums sound crisply complex as they weld everything together in an odd time signature, the song punctuated by the blast of energy Walsh brings to his singing in the chorus and Kosche's crunchy guitar sound.

The title track opens with a nice blending of acoustic and electric guitars from Kosche before settling into a pretty consistent groove with Walsh crooning and hammering out some of his more dark, mysterious lyrics.

The third and fourth tracks are more straight-ahead rockers, "Davey and the Stone That Rolled Away" and "Keep On Knockin'." "Davey" is perhaps my least-favorite song on this album, I'm left feeling not quite sure where Walsh was going with this one in a lyrical sense. There's a nice instrumental break in this one, and Walsh belts this one out very well vocally. "Keep On Knockin'" is much less vague lyrically, and it's one muthah of a rock-n-roll song with Walsh right on top of his game in the vocal department.

To my mind, the title song to "Shadowman" and the softer song "Pages of Old" go hand-in-hand lyrically. I'd love to know what was running through Walsh's mind when he wrote these two. Kosche's acoustic tone stands out here.

The pace gallops away again on "Hell Is Full of Heroes," among my favorite tunes of this album. It's got a techno feel to it, and when he's not laying down some rap touches Walsh is laying it all out on the line with his singing.

The epic tune of this CD is "After." Much like the songs "Kansas" and "Smackin' The Clowns" from the "Glossolalia" CD, this song takes some wild twists and turns but all comes together very nicely.

The closing tune "The River" helps to calm the soul after a pretty intense ride up to this point. It's a song that would have fit right in with the boys from Kansas playing it as well.

But, overall, this is far from a Kansas album. It would have been a mistake to try and turn most of these songs into Kansas tunes. What it does represent is a veteran songwriter always wanting to expand his boundaries and grow as an artist. Walsh has accomplished this very well with "Shadowman."