Search - Kansas :: Vinyl Confessions

Get over it ... yse it's christian, but still one of Kansas

G. McDonald | 02/19/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes this is heavily a Christian Album. As a Kansas fan one of the reasons I have always loved the Band was because they offered complex melodies, but also lyrics. They could rock out with the best of them, but they were always about a lot more than just sex, drugs & rock & roll. Carry On Wayward Son is one of the great all time rock songs, but it is also very much a song about a spiritual journey. Somebody try to tell me please that Dust in the Wind is NOT a Spiritual Song. Since Kerry Livgren was the main songwriter for the Band it is possible to follow his progression lyrically to Christianity; but what I think people always loved Kansas for was that they did offer something for the head and heart as well as the ear. That didn't change at all on this album, just became more overt. I'm sorry Walsh had his tantrum, and proved intolerant, but John Elefante provided solid vocals, for a solid progressive rock album. Crossfire would be considered one of the groups best songs, if not for the Christian Lyrics. Play the Game Tonight is truly a Classic as well. If you are new to Kansas you need to give this album a listen. If you can have at least an open mind to the albums message, you will find as I did, this is actually one of the Band's best."

A plesant surprise

Tnahpellee | Australia | 01/01/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Listeners may not have high hopes for this album, as this was the first album to not include the original line-up. Although on firtst glance it doesn't really sound like Kansas and relies a lot on generic rock, after a while this album starts to offer a lot. Once you get into tracks like 'Chasing Shadows', 'Diamonds and Pearls' and 'Face It' you realise this is quite a good Kansas album.



The band here is really tight and the playing is superb, and while it is not their greatest set of material to ever be written, there are still some really unique ideas coming through and sometime the material is really catchy. Ultimately you have a fairly solid Kansas album that succeeds in spite of a different vocalist."

Vinyl Confessions- Kansas Best Release

Glenn | Nevada | 04/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every now and then when I'm in the mood to listen to old rock music from the 70's and early 80's I like to pull this CD for some good listening. Kansas being a hillbilly, born again rock group has some pretty successful albums and songs that were considered great classics such as "Carry on The Wayward Son", "Dust and the Wind" and others. Vinyl Confessions as an overall release was perhaps their best. Their born again lyrics, in which I really didn't notice it until recently, and mixture of classic rock guitars, violins, pianos, and catchy hymns made this production very good indeed. As for Kansas's born again references, Walsh made a mistake for leaving the band, it made me like Kansas even more. Some Standouts:



Play the Game Tonight- An excellent starter Kansas tune

Fair Exchange- Hardcore Religious Rock with a catchy hymn

Chasing Shadows- An excellent ballad; one of Kansas best.

Face It- Excellent example of mixing their instruments in a rock format.

CrossFire- It's about choice. An excellent born again tune probably my favorite in this CD.



The rest of their songs were almost as good. Some of the individuals have stated since Steve Walsh did not participate in this release it isn't Kansas, Well folks it's Kansas. John Elefante (new lead vocalist) has very similar singing tones and harmonics as Walsh. It seemed Walsh wasn't missed. Vinyl Confessions a digital re-mastering is an absolute must for this release. I'm still waiting for one.

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