Somewhere to Elsewhere [Import]

At the official Kansas website, Livgren stated that the hope was to capture the band's "original fire and vision" from the early days, and that the album would have many "familiar stylistic twists, and new twists as well." Take it from this long time fan, they've succeeded beyond their wildest imaginings.

All of the guys have obviously mended the fences that were splintered over creative and other differences nearly 20 years ago, and the renewed passion they all have for the music shows in this album. Everyone is given an opportunity to shine, from the powerhouse vocals of Greer, Steinhardt and Walsh (whose voice has never sounded better, having lost a lot of the "ragged edge" sound from previous albums), to Williams' "Meatwall" sound, on down the line. Many different influences can be heard here, including early Kansas (more obvious in "Icarus II" and "When the World Was Young"), a little Beatles (the aforementioned "Look At The Time"), Zepplin ("Byzantium"), some blues ("Grand Fun Alley") and even a bit of 50's doo wop ("Disappearing Skin Tight Blues"). Also, don't miss the hidden track about 1 minute after the final listed song; it's just the guys goofing around in the studio on a little ditty, that I can only call "Geodesic Dome Blues". My picks for radio play are "When The World Was Young" for rock/top 40 stations, and the soothing "The Coming Dawn" for the lite rock/adult contemporary outlets. This CD is not to be missed by anyone!

P.S.: If the band is reading this: Guys, my suggestion for the next album is to use the songs not used on "Somewhere to Elsewhere", throw in 5 or 6 additional songs, bring back all of the original members along with Billy Greer again to play, PLUS bring in the alumni: Steve Morse, John Elefante, David Ragsdale and Greg Robert, and really show everyone how it should be done!

There seems to much discussion about Walsh and his somewhat ragged voice. I recently went to see Kansas in concert for the tour of this album. While Walsh's voice is strained on the albums, his live performances are wonderful. What is so interesting is that songs such as "Distance Vision" work for Walsh beautifully, especially in the last stanza where he belts the lyrics with a power equal to the music. I get the impression from the CD that they left his voice all too naked through the rest of the songs. I really think the attraction of Walsh's voice in the "classic" years was that his voice was simply another instrument rather than a vocal. His ability to punch the energy in a song was similar to the unforgettable compositions from the all-too-talented band members. The technique was always complex without being complicated. In songs such as "Distant Vision" and "Byzantium", Walsh's vocal contributions are as an integral whole rather than a stand apart element. Where he falls apart (and perhaps where the songwriting on previous albums fell), is where his voice is pulled out as a highlighted element. Kansas, when at their best, are about creating music as an authorless effort. This is where I believe he has always been the most effective, even when his range was much more dynamic. I think the mixing needs to be looked at again given his range. Songs such as "Distant Vision" prove that he still has ability. However, I think that Walsh's vocals are a delicate instrument at this point and need to be handled as such.

Regarding the rest of the band, I do not want to glaze over their talent (including the non-original Greer - what a wonderful addition!), I have such respect for their ability that I simply expected no less. Phil is still one of the most under-rated drummers in the business, Robbie still has the ability to make me shiver (an what a haunting persona!), Williams still holds his guitar like a baby on stage and treats his craft with respect, and both Greer and Hope still understand that rythem can be and should be a complex element of music. And as always, Walsh's voice is best when teamed with Robbie's. I hope they both understand how well their voices work together.

Kerry Livgren, perhaps one of my favorite composers, shines on this effort throught his spirited songwriting. "Leftoverture" was released at a time of great personal self searching, and, like so many others at that time, I found in Livgren someone who poetically understood what it is like to search for answers. The answers are hard to come by and the searching can be quite painful and frustrating. The beauty of music is it's ability to show us the poetry in everyday life. It is refreshing to find through this CD that Livgren is still searching, it is simply at a much higher level.

Being a fan since 1973, I can easily recommend this album to any fan, old or new. There are areas where it approaches and even surpasses their "classic" work (Distant Vision, Byzantium, and Myriad), but there are also areas where it falls, primaily because of a mishandled vocal track. But because the high spots are so luminous, they carry the CD as a whole. After hearing the best on this album, I can see how it would be grave mistake in not having this CD in my collection. "Distant Vision", "Byzantium", and "Myriad" could have easily been on the "Leftoverture" album. These songs have those wonderful, unforgetable, uniquely Kansas melodies which you keep in your head all day long.

My love for the "classic" Kansas is that their music has the ablility to become personal rather than just entertaining. I first heard them as an adolescent teenager, and, now in my late 30's with a family and a career, the music is as fresh and meaningful as ever. I love that I will listen to Kansas out of appriciation and personal fullfillment rather than some glib nostalgic need. I still listen to my old Kansas CD because this element is missing in the current industry. Much to my delight, this new release clearly continues this all-too-rare type of musicianship. This album will become one of my favorite, probably by day's end. I would encourage the band members to continue writing and performing songs such as "Distant Vision", "Byzantium", "Myriad", and "Icarus II". This type of serious music is desparately needed in todays glib musical pantheon.