Kansas: The Prelude Implicit

Sixteen years is definitely a long time, and that's how long it's been since the world was graced with an album of all new material from US prog rock legends Kansas. 2000s Somewhere to Elsewhere was a strong effort, and featured the entire original line-up, but until 2016 it remained the last piece of new material as the band continued to trek across the world playing their greatest hits set. Back in 2014, lead vocalist & keyboard player Steve Walsh retired from the band, and in came singer Ronnie Platt, keyboardist David Manion, and more recently, guitarist/songwriter/producer Zak Rizvi, joining founding members Phil Ehart, Rich Williams, and longtime bandmates Billy Greer & David Ragsdale for the fully revamped line-up of Kansas. The result of all of this new blood is the brand new album for InsideOut Records, titled The Prelude Implicit, signaling a new beginning for the band.

It's quickly apparent after the initial listen to The Prelude Implicit that all the elements that we've loved about this band over the years are here in full force. Those gorgeous violin melodies, the sumptuous keyboards, a mix of majestic as well as hard rocking guitars, challenging arrangements, and soaring vocal harmonies, all are present. With repeated spins, these songs quickly stick in your head, and it's easy to declare that many of these will become future Kansas classics. "Rhythm in the Spirit" blends crunchy guitars with grandiose keyboard orchestrations, plus a can't miss Platt chorus and Ragsdale's enchanting violin, while "With This Heart" and "The Unsung Heroes" have those special melodies that have always made the bands output so memorable. "Refugee" is vintage sounding Kansas, as Platt's soaring vocals glide over tranquil violin and gentle acoustic guitars, while the 8+ minute epic "The Voyage of Eight Eighteen" will take you back to the great albums Leftoverture and Point of Know Return with its daring, complex arrangements and sweeping melodies. If you love the pairing of hard rock guitars and Hammond organ, check out the driving "Camouflage" or the upbeat "Summer", the latter seeing Ragsdale throwing his violin into the fray for a wild hard prog party. "Crowded Isolation" is another heavy prog number, again with some great Hammond work courtesy of Manion, and the instrumental "Section 60" is just, well, beautiful, complete with heartfelt violin and symphonic keyboards. If you pick up the special edition of the CD from the band, there are two bonus tracks, the traditional piece "Home on the Range", which is given a fun Kansas spin, featuring lush acoustic guitars, violin, and Hammond, as well as their take on "Oh Shenandoah", which is quite majestic, and given the complete Kansas stamp.

You have to give plenty of kudos to the entire band, as this is just a fantastic, well rounded effort on all levels. Ronnie Platt brings his own individual style to the group, and in no way is a Steve Walsh soundalike, which is very refreshing. He's the perfect fit for this band, and if you've seen them live recently you can see just what he brings to the bands classic material. With not a weak track to be found, The Prelude Implicit is a welcome return from one of the most beloved progressive rock acts to ever come out of the US, and it shows they have plenty of mileage left in the tank. This is easily one of 2016's highlights folks, and a must hear for anyone who loves the bands classic albums from the '70s and '80s.

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!

Track Listing

1. With This Heart
2. Visibility Zero
3. The Unsung Heroes
4. Rhythm in the Spirit
5. Refugee
6. The Voyage of Eight Eighteen
7. Camouflage
8. Summer
9. Crowded Isolation
10. Section 60
11. Home On the Range-bonus track
12. Oh Shenandoah-bonus track

Added: November 1st 2016
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 4018
Language: english

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