GTGC Reviews
email: [email protected]
  • Reviews
  • Live Music
  • THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE

Kansas - "The Prelude Implicit"

5/9/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the classics? With no specific genre, the term classic in it's true embodiment can mean anyone from ELVIS to THE ROLLING STONES, from BLACK SABBATH to ABBA...you know, the legends, the icons. They've been around for years, decades even and are well and truly embedded in the history books as pioneers and some of the all time greats, be it in legacy and longevity or headlining festivals today...well there are bands that have been doing it for just as long, who are just as good if not better but for some reason or another, simply aren't mentioned a great deal. One such band; is KANSAS. Formed in Topeka, Kansas (no really, they did that) they released their debut album in 1974 and became one of the biggest garage rock bands of all time...they've sold over 30 million records worldwide, multiple gold and platinum selling albums; they were HUGE. Everyone knows "Carry On Wayward Son", and you're probably familiar with them if you watch TV's "Supernatural" thanks to Dean Winchester's cassette collection...but what happened to them? Well...after a quiet spell of 16 years, they are BACK! Yes 2016 see's Kansas return with new album "The Prelude Implicit"...but prelude to what? Let's find out!

We open up with the debut single and first song in nearly two decades; "With This Heart" and it's got this cheery little piano lead intro that flows into this, quaint little rock ballad, beaming with positive energy. The message is clear; don't give up, hold on and stay strong, it's incredibly warming, welcoming even...you can sense the band are glad to be back releasing music, and it shows here clearly. We then follow this up with "Visibility Zero" and a quick change of overall direction; the guitars are cranked up and we return to that familiar, old-school riffage, taking you right back to those 70's hay-days and also, retaining that soft rock style throughout, resulting in a song that's equally nostalgic and fresh.

One of the themes running throughout is hope, there's a strong emphasis on belief...faith even, and if ever there was an example of this, it would be "Refugee". Again, touching on ballad territory, we've got the gently plucked acoustic elements, some beautifully soft string arrangements and lyrically it's on the verge of despairing; Ronnie Platt's story telling within the song is incredibly poignant given so many recent events around the world, especially around the middle east and Eastern Europe. It's a brilliant track and an album highlight. Speaking of faith, the 8 min+ "The Voyage Of Eight Eighteen" is simply majestic. At such a length, with it's key changes, subtle tempo changes, it could pass for prog-rock. The message again a positive one, with potential references to Romans 8:18, taken from the Bible as "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us"...mankind is on a long journey, we can and will overcome all hardships, you just need to believe in humanity.

Tracks like "Camouflage" and "Summer" keep the album ticking along nicely, the latter being textbook Kansas, before we finish with "Section 60". Now, if you're familiar with the law and your rights, section 60 allows a police officer to stop and search a person with no reason of suspicion required, part of the 1994 public order act. It's an interesting title, for an interesting choice of song; essentially a 4-minute instrumental, it's completely random, but, maybe that's the point? They've done it simply because they can, just like law enforcers do, whether you like it or not. Uncertainty aside on this closing track, Kansas have more than delivered here...for an album 16 years in the making, there's absolutely no sign of rust on these veterans whatsoever. Younger generations may only be familiar with them because of TV shows or games like GUITAR HERO...but "The Prelude Implicit" should change all of that. If the prelude is a sign of more work to come, then carry on my wayward sons...carry on. [9]

www.kansasband.com
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    News & Reviews

    Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're a singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x

    Follow @GavinJGriffiths

      CHAV CHAT

    ASK GAV!

    Archives

    April 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Categories

    All
    Acoustic
    Alternative
    Article
    Black Metal
    Blues
    Book
    Classic
    Classic Rock
    Comedy
    Competition
    Compilation
    Country
    Death Metal
    Doom
    Electronic
    Emo
    EP
    France
    Funk
    Games
    Glam Rock
    Gothic
    Grime
    Grunge
    Hardcore
    Hard Rock
    Heavy Metal
    Hip Hop
    Hip-Hop
    Indie
    Industrial
    Interview
    Jazz
    J-Rock
    Melodic Death
    Metal
    Metalcore
    Newport
    New Wave
    Nu Metal
    Nu-Metal
    Pop
    Pop Punk
    Pop-Punk
    Pop Rock
    Post Punk
    Post-Punk
    Prog
    Punk
    Punk Rock
    Rap
    Reggae
    Rock
    Rock 'N' Roll
    Shoegaze
    Ska
    Sludge
    Soft Rock
    Soul
    Southern Metal
    Southern Rock
    Stoner
    Symphonic Metal
    Synth
    Thrash
    Unsigned
    Urban

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly