Kansas ~ Monolith (1979) CD 2008 Kirshner Records •• NEW ••

Description: Kansas Monolith AUDIO CD BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED Kirshner Records ZK 36008 UPC | 886972421728 1979, 2008 TRACK LISTING 01. On The Other Side 02. People Of The South Wind 03. Angels Have Fallen 04. How My Soul Cries Out For You 05. A Glimpse Of Home 06. Away From You 07. Stay Out Of Trouble 08. Reason To Be Musicians / Lineup Steve Walsh ~ Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards Rich Williams ~ Acoustic & Electric Guitars Kerry Livgren ~ Guitars, Keyboards Robby Steinhardt ~ Violin, Lead Vocals (3,4,7) Dave Hope ~ Bass Phil Ehart ~ Drums, Percussion ♪ Well, 'Monolith' marks the start of an era of regressive creativity in Kansas, that's true, but still you can find strong material in this album, craftily performed, lots of energy, and specially, an extra amount of superb drumming and bass playing. It looks as if the slight diminishing of the progressive essence paved the way for the rhythm section to shine with a stronger light of its own: the guitar riffs are more featured in the mix, too. But despite their tendency to settle down to complex hard rock, this is still a progressive album. The repertoire is almost equally divided between Livgren and Walsh: they don't seem to be interested in interacting anymore as writers. The emotional opening number (a Livgren song about the difficulties of writing a song - maybe a confession of the fear of the blank paper syndrome?) delivers a testimony of a mysterious truth that is clearly there, but words fail to express: Walsh's singing is particularly great on this one. But... not as great as in track 3, 'Angels Have Fallen'. This Walsh-penned number is one of his most amazing compositions, with a sombre dramatism that is enhanced by his sung parts. The epic interlude and the majestic finale are simply captivating, with Steinhardt playing his violin like an inspired magician among the fiery guitar riffs and solos: his sung parts are calmer, in contrasts to his dominant partner's interventions. The instrumental climax is an apex of dramatism punctuated as a source of contrast by the last notes played at unison by a sole dute of violin and piano. Amazing!! This is my fave track of the album. Livgren, on the other hand, sounds much more optimistic, since he is now seeing the world with full hope given his then recent look into into the Urantian Movement (just on the verge of a new-born Christian conversion). His opus 'A Glimpse of Home' is a candorous testimony of this crucial event in his life: the melodic lines, keyboard and violin interplays, and the guitar solos are well designed, like a musical ceremony. In the same vein, the closing acoustic ballad 'Reason to Be' describes the beauty implicit in the miracle of a transcendental revelation. 'People of the South Wind' is a catchy tune, with some poppy leaning a-la funky, with an interesting guitar solo in the middle: just funny. A major level of energy is displayed in 'How My Soul Cries Out for You' (a hard rock piece, at times almost heavy metal), and 'Away from You' (country-centered): both Walsh tracks comprise some interesting prog twists, and once again I have to mention it, great work by Ehart on drums. 'Stay Out of Trouble' is your typical angry rock tune, something to enjoy with a sense of fun before the solemnity of Reason to Be' ultimately appears. All in all, a very good album, though a bit far from some previous efforts' grandeur. SHIPPING TO USA ONLY Buyer Pays Shipping 1st CD $3.99... each additional $1.50 CDs will only be combined with other CDs or DVDs To qualify for the combined discount, all items must be purchased together, paid for with 1 payment, and shipped all together in 1 shipment. Please use the add to cart feature, once you have ordered all your desired items, proceed to checkout to complete your order with the combined total.

Price: 7.98 USD

Location: Gold River, California

End Time: 2024-09-15T06:02:09.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.99 USD

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All returns accepted: Returns Accepted

Item must be returned within: 30 Days

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Artist: Kansas

CD Grading: Mint (M)

Record Label: Kirshner Records, Sony Music

Release Title: Monolith

Case Type: Jewel Case: Standard

Custom Bundle: No

Case Condition: Mint (M)

MPN: 886972421728

Inlay Condition: Mint (M)

Catalog Number: ZK 36008

Type: Album

Format: CD

Language: English

Release Year: 1979, 2008

Era: 1970s

Style: Boogie Rock, American Prog, Album Rock, Progressive/Art Rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Art Rock

Genre: Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Symphonic Rock, Boogie-Rock, Classic Rock, Art Rock, Prog Rock, Album Rock, Rock

Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico