Great Kansas episode. I can recommend Kerry Livgren's album Seeds Of Change from 1980. It's really great with vocals from Ronnie James Dio on some of the songs.
1) Masque 2) Leftoverture 3) Point Of Know Return 4) Freaks Of Nature 5) Monolith 6) Kansas 7) Song For America 8) Power 9) Drastic Measures 10) Somewhere To Elsewhere 11) The Absence Of Presence 12) The Prelude Implicit I dont own the other ones, but I like what I've heard off In the Spirit Of Things
Another great list. Man... I grew up with this band. Watched them twice live here in Bulgaria. I don't think they have a bad album. More or less I love every single record. But my top 3 will always be : 1. Masque - Dark, heavy, huge album 2. Song for America - the progiest they did 3. Leftoverture - In every music dictionary this is the album that means absolute perfection
Recently saw Kansas other 50th anniversary tour and it was the best concert I have ever seen. Even though they still only have two original members of the band left all the other guys really rocked it.
1) Song For America 2) Monolith 3) Somewhere To Elsewhere 4) Masque 5) Debut 6) Point of Know Return 7) Leftoverture 8) Two For The Show ( the 2008 release, more songs) 9) Vinyl Confessions 10) Always Never The Same ( part classics, part new songs, with the London Symphony, a nice listen) 11) Freaks of Nature 12) Audio-Visions 13) The Absence of Prescence 14) The Prelude Implicit 15) Power 16) In the Spirit of Things 17) Drastic Measures The first three are ranked that way because I never skip any songs on them...even the more obvious choices( for most), there are songs I skip because they're mediocre/never really liked them...or I'm tired of them. I like the early stuff with the longer songs a bit more. " The Absence of Prescence " is growing on me, though. Audio-Visions hasn't aged well for me, the Walsh songs( except " Back Door ") just don't inspire me anymore, and I always found " Relentless " a tedious ripoff of " Carry On Wayward Son ". The last three I ranked are KINO: Kansas In Name Only The two albums with Steve Morse are good music, but feel more like Steve Morse solo albums with Steve Walsh singing...and no violin. Drastic Measures is just average and feels more like a John Elefante solo album than Kansas...and no violin. Got to have violin to be Kansas. RIP Robby Steinhardt 🎻
Great video and great rankings. Although I'd personally put Absence higher up on the list, this was pretty solid for the most part. You've got great taste in music and I love your energy! 👍
Good ranking and breakdown. I love that you ranked Somewhere to Elsewhere where you did. It truly could have been released in the 70's and fit right in based on the songwriting and lyrics. The first time I heard Myriad, I about flipped my lid! I know Monolith gets a lot of love but it hasn't been able to grow on me. Thanks for putting out this list!
You've listened Kansas's first album that many times? Masque was my first Kansas album, yet I've never listened to Kansas's debut. On your recommendation, I'll endeavor to change that.
The first Kansas song I ever heard was 'Carry On Wayward Son". It was playing on a jukebox somewhere and it stopped me in my tracks. I've been a fan ever since. They are my favourite American Prog band. The sound of Robbie's violin is an integral part of their personality. As is Steve's stupendous voice and Kerry's stunning compositions.
Difficulty understanding the low rank of "Audio Visions". It's my personal favorite after Left/O. It's overall sound is bright, and engaging while its unique compositions are, in my opinion, relatively sophisticated. Maintaining a measure of of upbeat positivity, the lyrical content is thought provoking, edifying and encouraging. Steve sounds amazing and naturally the flawless musicianship inspires the typical Awe experienced following most any Kansas.
Yes, cant go wrong with their run of albums up to Monolith - though Vinyl Confessions has some great moment son it. Over the years I've come to really like Monolith buit my favourite is their first - Mariabronn and side 2 are very very hard to beat, though I agree that Leftoverture is probably the pinnacle (no pun intended) of their catalogue.
Saw KANAS open for QUEEN in 1984 I believe and was in a former movie theater .What a show .Saw a lot of bands in the 70s but this was by far the best.KANSAS sounded exactly like the album.LOVE BOTH BANDS
Queen opened with Now IM HERE WITH THE LIGHTS FLASING ON AND OFF.SO COOL THIS WAS BECAUSE the new album at that time was sheer heart attack .Great album. Kansas only had the first album,but l love love love that album and the song were just like the album.
very good choice!! I'm a huge Kansas fan from Germany. Unfortunately, Absence of Presence is at the bottom of my list with Drastic Measures. I was disappointed with the album. And Freaks of Nature deserves a lot more attention. Kansas is for sure the best Prog Band ever.
I have all their albums on LP from your number ten onwards, except Audio Visions and all their studio albums on CD (bought the boxed set). I also have Two For The Show 0n LP (plus the bonus TFTS CD of extra tracks) and the live double LP of 'Bryn Mawr 1976' and of course the bluray of 'No Place Like Home' and the documentary bluray/CD set of 'Miracles Out Of Nowhere'. 'Leftoverture' was my first Kansas album and what a great album to discover them with all those years ago! What a band!
15, Freaks of Nature 14. In the Spirit of Things 13. Drastic Measures 12. Vinyl Confessions 11. The Prelude Implicit 10. Power 9. The Absence of Presence 8. Audio-Visions 7. Monolith 6. Somewhere to Elsewhere 5. Kansas 4. Song for America 3. Masque 2. Point of Know Return 1. Leftoverture
Kansas was my first favorite band, from around the age of 12 (1977.) Here' my top tier--can't rank'em, each one has a legit claim to being the greatest. Kansas (most consistent start to finish; also, best showcase for the stupendous talent of a certain singing violinist.) Song for America (three magnificent epics on one album; also, my favorite hard rock song , "The Devil Game".) Leftoverture ("The Wall," Kansas' best ever song: also, the CLOSING SECTION of "The Wall"; also, the other amazing songs.) Point of Know Return (Side One--greatest album side ever.) Agree that The Prelude Implicit is way better than the new one. I would rank Freaks of Nature as the best Kansas album not made by the classic lineup.
Not really a huge prog fan but I put on Leftoverture the other day and Carry On Wayward Son absolutely blew me away. Of course I'd heard it a ton of times but something really grabbed me this time and I found myself appreciating all the intricacies. The rest of the album was inspiring too. Glad I gave this gem another chance.
I grew up listening to Kansas. I bought Masque when it 1st came out, so there's sentimental reasons to go with that album. I consider Kansas to be rock and roll!!
My journey into Kansas (a side from their big hits) started in Christmas of 1984, when I got the vinyl record "The Best Of Kansas" as a present. I got a little taste of Audio Visions, Vinyl confessions, etc. My brother already had the LO and POKR albums. With in the next couple of years, I purchased SFA/Masque/Debut Kansas/ etc. I was lucky that I lived pretty close to a used record store. It was difficult finding any Kansas albums that weren't POKR/LO. Anyways I enjoyed this video.
Of course I'm not in a 100% agreement, but over all it's very close to my list. Very much agree on your top 6. Kansas is the Yes&Genesis of USA prog rock.
Huge fan here!!! My brother saw them in 1974 and told me about them. Said they were his new favorite band. And then he put “Can I Tell You” on and I had a new favorite too.
New subscriber and this is great stuff!! Now only if I can get my girlfriend into Prog. She only knows the 2 biggest hits of Kansas, as you probably know what they are.
Great Scot! I can't argue with this list. One could always quibble about a spot or two, but this is a solid ranking that might match mine on any given day, at least through the nine or ten I have. Those first six albums are just simply one of the most incredible runs of nigh perfection for any band ever! Sounds like I need to check out that 2000 release, Somewhere to Elsewhere. I don't have, nor do I think have even heard that one. Thanks as always.
Good vid but I am confused . If Left Overture is not your favourite why is it ranked #1? Isn't the ranking supposed to represent that? So if you do a Yes ranking- your not going to put Oceans first? Just curious not criticizing. YES and TULL would be cool if you have the inkling. Sorry for the ramble.
Yeah, I kinda caught myself because I do try to be quasi objective. Close To The Edge is probably their “best” album though Tales is my “favorite.” So that same thought process was in effect here with Kansas: the debut is my favorite whereas “Leftoverture” is objectively better. It’s a slippery slope!!!
Hi Scot, couldn't agree more with your list. Just the way it is, a great band, that owes a lot to Genesis in my opinion, but sounds with it's own personality and flavour. Thanks for the video!
haha. Obviously my favorite band from 1974- 2021. Actually the only album I had to repurchase was their debut album. Couldn't get enough. And still can't. Peace.
My favorite band of all time. I got Leftoverture for my 13th birthday because my older brother thought COWS was pretty cool and he heard they had a violin player. I played violin but wanted to rock and this album showed me it could be done. I went on to play guitar, bass etc…. and yes I’ll give you grief about their latest album, Imthink it’s one of their best.🙂 just saw them live in August 2022 one of the last POKR 40th anniversary shows. It had been rescheduled 4 times due to covid but we finally got it done and they were freaking great!
scot, that's the most subdued iv'e seen you, but only in contrast with your usual exuberant self, we're you 'under the weather' a little maybe🤔nevertheless, still a excellent review from my fav prog reviewer👍👌😊
thank you. great list. i stopped listening after fallin in love with the first four. dust in the wind and point of no returns airplay turned me off to that record. looking forward to checkin out some of your nods. thanks again for sharing!
15. Vinyl Confessions 14. Drastic Measures 13. Power The above three are albums I don't ever go back to. 12. The Prelude Implicit 11. Absence of Presence These haven't grabbed me much in my few listens. Admittedly, they need more listens, but I detect a lack of real spark. Everything below here I truly enjoy and can listen to anytime: 10. Audio Visions 9. Monolith 8. In The Spirit of Things 7. Freaks of Nature I think Freaks is good stuff, and In The Spirit of Things is solidly enjoyable music, even if it's not very "Kansas-y" (which honestly, I don't care too much about). Monolith is uneven, with only Angels Have Fallen and Glimpse of Home being standout songs, IMO, and a couple others I like. 6. Point of Know Return 5. Somewhere To Elsewhere 4. Kansas 3. Song For America 2. Leftoverture 1. Masque And honorable mention to Steve Walsh's solo album Glossolalia, which I would put at #4 here and bump Kansas and everything above that up. Because Glossolalia is magnificent.
Kansas was the sound track of my reckless youth. Lost track after freaks of nature, great album but got tired of the personnel changes. My fave? I'd have to go with the first, Kansas. Death of mother nature suite and others are pure artistic genius.
Thank you for this video! And thank you Kansas for making music that touched my soul. That's all that matters. Music critics are nothing but puppets!!!
Although I'm a huge fan of the Song For America album, I'm definitely on with Leftoverture being # 1. It's the album that initially attracted me to Kansas upon its release in ' 76. Filled with incredible, melodic ballads along with all those blistering guitar play and violin, topping out with the ominous and killer " Magnum Opus. " That song alone converted me into a fan.
2000 they were still touring the states every year. Livgren just did the songwriting. they still made a killer album..still busy as can b till 2003 when they went to Europe again.
Great video and great pacing. Some videos like these (not yours) can be too long. This is effective and honest. I discovered Kansas a few years ago and have bought half their catalog. Most of them are on the side of your favorites. "Power" is the only odd one I have and while more AOR than Prog it definitely has it's moments. I think the tracks where Steve Morse gets loose are really good. The rest is average AOR. It's a decent record and one I return to sometimes. The rest I've bought are constantly up for a listen. I reccon I will at some point have most or all albums of theirs.
My favourite album is their debut - when I listen to it , I can see the Kansas landscape in my minds eye. Two For The Show must be one of the greatest ever live albums ; Kansas were so tight it must've terrified any band who had to follow them. I've been a fan since 1980 and eventually got to see them twice in California in '97. My wife and myself flew out from the UK to see them and actually managed to go back stage to meet them on both occasions.
I love "In the Spirit of Things". Not very proggy perhaps, but full of great songs and a very rootsy approach. The vocals and guitars here are formidable. The three tracks by outside writers can pretty much be skipped though. Anyway I put it above Audio Visions and Monolith. It's no Song for America of course...
great list, mine is pretty close to yours, my favorite of them all is Masque then Song For America, Debut, then Leftoverture, maybe Leftoverture would be higher but it's just over played imo.
My only nit to pick would be Freaks of Nature. This, along with Power, is an album I got several years after its release, and with both, I listened to each one once and put them away. I recently decided to give them another try, and I agree with you almost word for word on Power -- decent album, but doesn't really sound like Kansas. And the strange thing is, Morse came from his own band (Dixie Dregs) that always had a violin, and to a band that had only recently discarded theirs, and didn't bring a fiddler along with him. One song sounded a lot like a vocal version of Kat Food from the Dregs, not a bad thing in itself, but also not very Kansas-sounding. Freaks of Nature, though, not only sounds like Kansas, it sounds like *really good* Kansas. The absence of "hits" has to be due to poor marketing, as there are several songs that deserved air time; I can't think of any stinkers on this, although I'm not wild about the "nah nah nah" vocal line in the title track. For me, this is the only misstep on the album, but even then it's not enough to "ruin" that song, much less the album. Definitely in my top 5, probably #4 (with my top 3 matching yours, only shuffled -- PKR/Left/KS).
I like Freaks Of Nature but as I said on my Kansas video, without a violin player, it just isn’t Kansas. So the addition of David Ragsdale was a very good thing for the band. It probably should have made the list!!!
Here's all you need to know. Albums with Kerry Livgren are always better than ones without Kerry Livgren. So anyone telling you Power is better than Drastic Measures is full of it.
There is nothing to discuss or argue about that : Kansas IS a prog band and I add one of the best ever. And their main creative force Kerry Livgren has written some of the most brilliant prog tunes worlwide. It's no surprise that Steve Hackett invited 2 of the band to record his second (and one of his finests) album.
I am without doubt the world’s biggest Wheathead. Kerry Livgren is the world’s finest composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist. Starting with Seeds of Change, he released a string of solo albums, then formed the band AD with Dave Hope & others (my favorite AD album Art of the State with my favorite song The Fury). And then his last band Proto-Kaw, my favorite album being The Wait of Glory with favorite songs Nevermore, When the Rains Come, and At Morning’s Gate. It’s a disgrace that Kansas is not in the R&RHoF and Kerry is not in the Songwriter’s HoF. But then the writers of Rolling Stone always disliked Kansas. Idiots!
I will be one that disagrees with you on "The Absence Of Presence" which I rank at number 6. Even though I live in Europe I've been a Kansas fan from the first album and I'm looking forward to see them live in this fall in Berlin
I knew someone would call me to task on that!!! It’s weird how it just didn’t connect with me the same way The Prelude Implicit did. Music is funny like that!!!
Great Kansas episode. I can recommend Kerry Livgren's album Seeds Of Change from 1980. It's really great with vocals from Ronnie James Dio on some of the songs.
I have that album and I love it!!! A lot. And Robby’s album from last year. Wow!!!
1) Masque
2) Leftoverture
3) Point Of Know Return
4) Freaks Of Nature
5) Monolith
6) Kansas
7) Song For America
8) Power
9) Drastic Measures
10) Somewhere To Elsewhere
11) The Absence Of Presence
12) The Prelude Implicit
I dont own the other ones, but I like what I've heard off In the Spirit Of Things
Masque is so good!!!
Point of Know Return:
One of the pinnacles of prog!!!🙂
Kansas is such a great band!!! I have loved them since the debut.
This was great, thank you. Kansas changed my life. Kerry is a genius.
I love them so much!!!
Another great list. Man... I grew up with this band. Watched them twice live here in Bulgaria. I don't think they have a bad album. More or less I love every single record. But my top 3 will always be :
1. Masque - Dark, heavy, huge album
2. Song for America - the progiest they did
3. Leftoverture - In every music dictionary this is the album that means absolute perfection
Sweet!!! Love Kansas so much!!!
Your top two matches mine.
Yep. Leftoverture is an undeniable masterpiece. It's also one of the best produced albums of all time. The sound still holds up a half century later.
Good call on the production. Definitely their best sounding album.
Recently saw Kansas other 50th anniversary tour and it was the best concert I have ever seen. Even though they still only have two original members of the band left all the other guys really rocked it.
They still rock!!! Ronnie Platt kills it at the mic.
1) Song For America
2) Monolith
3) Somewhere To Elsewhere
4) Masque
5) Debut
6) Point of Know Return
7) Leftoverture
8) Two For The Show ( the 2008 release, more songs)
9) Vinyl Confessions
10) Always Never The Same ( part classics, part new songs, with the London Symphony, a nice listen)
11) Freaks of Nature
12) Audio-Visions
13) The Absence of Prescence
14) The Prelude Implicit
15) Power
16) In the Spirit of Things
17) Drastic Measures
The first three are ranked that way because I never skip any songs on them...even the more obvious choices( for most), there are songs I skip because they're mediocre/never really liked them...or I'm tired of them. I like the early stuff with the longer songs a bit more. " The Absence of Prescence " is growing on me, though. Audio-Visions hasn't aged well for me, the Walsh songs( except " Back Door ") just don't inspire me anymore, and I always found " Relentless " a tedious ripoff of " Carry On Wayward Son ".
The last three I ranked are KINO:
Kansas
In
Name
Only
The two albums with Steve Morse are good music, but feel more like Steve Morse solo albums with Steve Walsh singing...and no violin. Drastic Measures is just average and feels more like a John Elefante solo album than Kansas...and no violin. Got to have violin to be Kansas.
RIP Robby Steinhardt 🎻
Very interesting!! Leftoverture so low is surprising but I like that.
Great video and great rankings. Although I'd personally put Absence higher up on the list, this was pretty solid for the most part. You've got great taste in music and I love your energy! 👍
Thank you!!! And I love Kansas!!!!
Good ranking and breakdown. I love that you ranked Somewhere to Elsewhere where you did. It truly could have been released in the 70's and fit right in based on the songwriting and lyrics. The first time I heard Myriad, I about flipped my lid! I know Monolith gets a lot of love but it hasn't been able to grow on me. Thanks for putting out this list!
Okay!!!
You've listened Kansas's first album that many times? Masque was my first Kansas album, yet I've never listened to Kansas's debut. On your recommendation, I'll endeavor to change that.
Yay!! Let me know what you think!!!! ❤️
Leftoverture it's amazing, no questions
Man that was fun. Masque is the one that reminds me of some great times and I have listened to it the most. Left Overture is awesome.
Love it. Masque is terrific.
The first Kansas song I ever heard was 'Carry On Wayward Son". It was playing on a jukebox somewhere and it stopped me in my tracks. I've been a fan ever since.
They are my favourite American Prog band. The sound of Robbie's violin is an integral part of their personality. As is Steve's stupendous voice and Kerry's stunning compositions.
I love them so much!!! My favorite American Prog band. By a very large margin (sorry, Spock’s Beard!!!)
roller rink...I asked them to play Carry On when i was 15
Pretty much nailed it, But i`d place "Songs for America" higher up !!
I love the song but the rest of it doesn’t hold my interest quite as much as the others I ranked ahead of it - but it’s still an amazing record!!!
Difficulty understanding the low rank of "Audio Visions". It's my personal favorite after Left/O. It's overall sound is bright, and engaging while its unique compositions are, in my opinion, relatively sophisticated. Maintaining a measure of of upbeat positivity, the lyrical content is thought provoking, edifying and encouraging. Steve sounds amazing and naturally the flawless musicianship inspires the typical Awe experienced following most any Kansas.
Audio Visions is an album I really didn’t like at first but over time I have gained a new appreciation for it…
Yes, cant go wrong with their run of albums up to Monolith - though Vinyl Confessions has some great moment son it. Over the years I've come to really like Monolith buit my favourite is their first - Mariabronn and side 2 are very very hard to beat, though I agree that Leftoverture is probably the pinnacle (no pun intended) of their catalogue.
At least Vinyl Confessions sounded like Kansas!!! No bad. But yeah, I have a soft spot for Monolith!!!
Saw KANAS open for QUEEN in 1984 I believe and was in a former movie theater .What a show .Saw a lot of bands in the 70s but this was by far the best.KANSAS sounded exactly like the album.LOVE BOTH BANDS
That would have been epic!!!
@@TheProgCorner sorry is was the day Physical graffiti came out in nov of 1974
I heard Queen and Kansas got along very well and became friends, in fact. What a show!!!
Queen opened with Now IM HERE WITH THE LIGHTS FLASING ON AND OFF.SO COOL THIS WAS BECAUSE the new album at that time was sheer heart attack .Great album. Kansas only had the first album,but l love love love that album and the song were just like the album.
My older brother saw them in 1974. I was late - Monolith was my first tour…
very good choice!! I'm a huge Kansas fan from Germany. Unfortunately, Absence of Presence is at the bottom of my list with Drastic Measures. I was disappointed with the album. And Freaks of Nature deserves a lot more attention. Kansas is for sure the best Prog Band ever.
I definitely prefer The Prelude Implicit. And yeah, Freaks Of Nature is pretty damned good!!!
Such a good band and very good ranking, I'll certainly be revisiting in the next few days!
I have been a fan since 1975!!!
I have all their albums on LP from your number ten onwards, except Audio Visions and all their studio albums on CD (bought the boxed set). I also have Two For The Show 0n LP (plus the bonus TFTS CD of extra tracks) and the live double LP of 'Bryn Mawr 1976' and of course the bluray of 'No Place Like Home' and the documentary bluray/CD set of 'Miracles Out Of Nowhere'. 'Leftoverture' was my first Kansas album and what a great album to discover them with all those years ago! What a band!
I love them so much!!!
I love Monolith too. My favorite is Masque with Leftoverture and Point of Know Return next.
Monolith is truly underrated by most Kansas fans. It was the end of an era. It was incredible.
15, Freaks of Nature
14. In the Spirit of Things
13. Drastic Measures
12. Vinyl Confessions
11. The Prelude Implicit
10. Power
9. The Absence of Presence
8. Audio-Visions
7. Monolith
6. Somewhere to Elsewhere
5. Kansas
4. Song for America
3. Masque
2. Point of Know Return
1. Leftoverture
Well done!!!
Kansas was my first favorite band, from around the age of 12 (1977.)
Here' my top tier--can't rank'em, each one has a legit claim to being the greatest.
Kansas (most consistent start to finish; also, best showcase for the stupendous talent of a certain singing violinist.)
Song for America (three magnificent epics on one album; also, my favorite hard rock song , "The Devil Game".)
Leftoverture ("The Wall," Kansas' best ever song: also, the CLOSING SECTION of "The Wall"; also, the other amazing songs.)
Point of Know Return (Side One--greatest album side ever.)
Agree that The Prelude Implicit is way better than the new one.
I would rank Freaks of Nature as the best Kansas album not made by the classic lineup.
I knew you had a strong Kansas take!!! Yes, their debut speaks to me. Always has. What a band!!! Thanks for your input!!!
Love Kansas, definitely in my top five favorite prog groups.
Me too!!!! 👍👍👍
Not really a huge prog fan but I put on Leftoverture the other day and Carry On Wayward Son absolutely blew me away. Of course I'd heard it a ton of times but something really grabbed me this time and I found myself appreciating all the intricacies. The rest of the album was inspiring too. Glad I gave this gem another chance.
Maybe it’s your gateway drug? You are welcome here in Prog World!!!!!
@@TheProgCorner Scott, have I seen you on the Sea of Tranquility channel before? You're awfully familiar!
Great ranking. By gut feel, this is pretty much how I would rank them.
Nice!!!
I grew up listening to Kansas. I bought Masque when it 1st came out, so there's sentimental reasons to go with that album. I consider Kansas to be rock and roll!!
I love them!!!!
My journey into Kansas (a side from their big hits) started in Christmas of 1984, when I got the vinyl record "The Best Of Kansas" as a present. I got a little taste of Audio Visions, Vinyl confessions, etc. My brother already had the LO and POKR albums. With in the next couple of years, I purchased SFA/Masque/Debut Kansas/ etc. I was lucky that I lived pretty close to a used record store. It was difficult finding any Kansas albums that weren't POKR/LO. Anyways I enjoyed this video.
I love those first six!!!
Of course I'm not in a 100% agreement, but over all it's very close to my list.
Very much agree on your top 6.
Kansas is the Yes&Genesis of USA prog rock.
And still there are those among us who don’t believe that Kansas was, in fact, a true Prog band. Albeit one with a couple hits…
I need to get more Kansas albums. LEFTOVERTURE and POINT OF KNOW RETURN are great albums.
More Kansas is always a good thing!!!
'Power' and 'Spirit of Things' are my favorite's 😳
I love Kansas!!!!
Absence of Presence is a top 3 for me. It kicks ass
And The Prelude Implicit is awesome too!!! Kansas Forever!!!
I have two of those. 1 and 3. Good albums. Love the covers
Such a great band!!!
I’m British. Kansas , are best bank ever. I saw them live in Shepherd’s Bush, london. My fav live gig ever
Huge fan here!!! My brother saw them in 1974 and told me about them. Said they were his new favorite band. And then he put “Can I Tell You” on and I had a new favorite too.
Something just clicked lately with Kansas, their debut album all the way, wow!
Yes!!!!!! That debut KILLS me every time. In my personal Top Ten.
New subscriber and this is great stuff!! Now only if I can get my girlfriend into Prog. She only knows the 2 biggest hits of Kansas, as you probably know what they are.
I love new subscribers!!! Thank you so much!!!
Great Scot! I can't argue with this list. One could always quibble about a spot or two, but this is a solid ranking that might match mine on any given day, at least through the nine or ten I have. Those first six albums are just simply one of the most incredible runs of nigh perfection for any band ever! Sounds like I need to check out that 2000 release, Somewhere to Elsewhere. I don't have, nor do I think have even heard that one. Thanks as always.
Yeah, those first six were perfection!!! Love them so much!!!
Good vid but I am confused . If Left Overture is not your favourite why is it ranked #1?
Isn't the ranking supposed to represent that? So if you do a Yes ranking- your not going to put Oceans first? Just curious not criticizing. YES and TULL would be cool if you have the inkling. Sorry for the ramble.
Yeah, I kinda caught myself because I do try to be quasi objective. Close To The Edge is probably their “best” album though Tales is my “favorite.” So that same thought process was in effect here with Kansas: the debut is my favorite whereas “Leftoverture” is objectively better. It’s a slippery slope!!!
Hello. The first 5 kansas albums are awesome!!! I also like the most recent stuff. Keep going
Thank you!!!
Hi Scot, couldn't agree more with your list. Just the way it is, a great band, that owes a lot to Genesis in my opinion, but sounds with it's own personality and flavour. Thanks for the video!
Yes!!! I love them so much!!!
haha. Obviously my favorite band from 1974- 2021. Actually the only album I had to repurchase was their debut album. Couldn't get enough. And still can't. Peace.
That debut album is perfection. I love everything about it!!
My favorite band of all time. I got Leftoverture for my 13th birthday because my older brother thought COWS was pretty cool and he heard they had a violin player. I played violin but wanted to rock and this album showed me it could be done. I went on to play guitar, bass etc…. and yes I’ll give you grief about their latest album, Imthink it’s one of their best.🙂 just saw them live in August 2022 one of the last POKR 40th anniversary shows. It had been rescheduled 4 times due to covid but we finally got it done and they were freaking great!
I just love them so much!!!
scot, that's the most subdued iv'e seen you, but only in contrast with your usual exuberant self, we're you 'under the weather' a little maybe🤔nevertheless, still a excellent review from my fav prog reviewer👍👌😊
The further back in my video catalog you go, the worse the videos get. I was TERRIBLE at UA-cam for the first six months or so. Zzzzzzzzzzz……
I always disagree when people complain about 80's production. I love 80's production. I would put Freaks of Nature last.
Kansas is amazing... any era anything they did! TY!!!!
One of my favorite bands ever. Probably my favorite American band…
KANSAS MY FAVORITE BAND OF ALL TIME
So good!!!!
thank you. great list. i stopped listening after fallin in love with the first four. dust in the wind and point of no returns airplay turned me off to that record. looking forward to checkin out some of your nods. thanks again for sharing!
15. Vinyl Confessions
14. Drastic Measures
13. Power
The above three are albums I don't ever go back to.
12. The Prelude Implicit
11. Absence of Presence
These haven't grabbed me much in my few listens. Admittedly, they need more listens, but I detect a lack of real spark. Everything below here I truly enjoy and can listen to anytime:
10. Audio Visions
9. Monolith
8. In The Spirit of Things
7. Freaks of Nature
I think Freaks is good stuff, and In The Spirit of Things is solidly enjoyable music, even if it's not very "Kansas-y" (which honestly, I don't care too much about). Monolith is uneven, with only Angels Have Fallen and Glimpse of Home being standout songs, IMO, and a couple others I like.
6. Point of Know Return
5. Somewhere To Elsewhere
4. Kansas
3. Song For America
2. Leftoverture
1. Masque
And honorable mention to Steve Walsh's solo album Glossolalia, which I would put at #4 here and bump Kansas and everything above that up. Because Glossolalia is magnificent.
Glossolalia is awesome!!!
Kansas is my number 2 just behind Rush at number 1.
Two of the best bands of all time!!!🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸
They're in my to-get-into list.
And strangely enough the only non-Brits in my prog lexicon thus far.
You need to check them out!!! Americanized Prog!!! So good.
Kansas was the sound track of my reckless youth. Lost track after freaks of nature, great album but got tired of the personnel changes. My fave? I'd have to go with the first, Kansas. Death of mother nature suite and others are pure artistic genius.
Love that debut!!!
Thank you for this video!
And thank you Kansas for making music that touched my soul. That's all that matters.
Music critics are nothing but puppets!!!
And idiots!!!
Although I'm a huge fan of the Song For America album, I'm definitely on with Leftoverture being # 1. It's the album that initially attracted me to Kansas upon its release in ' 76.
Filled with incredible, melodic ballads along with all those blistering guitar play and violin, topping out with the ominous and killer
" Magnum Opus. " That song alone
converted me into a fan.
Magnum Opus absolutely slays!!!
2000 they were still touring the states every year. Livgren just did the songwriting. they still made a killer album..still busy as can b till 2003 when they went to Europe again.
Livgren dropped a nice little cd last year!!!
Great video and great pacing. Some videos like these (not yours) can be too long. This is effective and honest. I discovered Kansas a few years ago and have bought half their catalog. Most of them are on the side of your favorites. "Power" is the only odd one I have and while more AOR than Prog it definitely has it's moments. I think the tracks where Steve Morse gets loose are really good. The rest is average AOR. It's a decent record and one I return to sometimes. The rest I've bought are constantly up for a listen. I reccon I will at some point have most or all albums of theirs.
Steve Morse is awesome. Big fan since the Dixie Dregs days. So Power is just fine by me!!!
I totally mirror you of the early Albums Dude!
My favourite album is their debut - when I listen to it , I can see the Kansas landscape in my minds eye. Two For The Show must be one of the greatest ever live albums ; Kansas were so tight it must've terrified any band who had to follow them.
I've been a fan since 1980 and eventually got to see them twice in California in '97. My wife and myself flew out from the UK to see them and actually managed to go back stage to meet them on both occasions.
I love them so much!!! That debut is just amazing!!!
Two for the Show points to the fact that they are true musicians in every sense. I listen to TFTS more than the albums.
@@db321g Steve's vocals on The Wall . Gets me every time.
Steve’s vocals on anything!!! Just wow.
Disagree with The Absence of Presence (one of my top of the dismal year that was 2020), but agree with everything else.
COWS second riff nicked from JRNY..... gr8 song though
Kansas is underrated
I 100% agree!!!
I love "In the Spirit of Things". Not very proggy perhaps, but full of great songs and a very rootsy approach. The vocals and guitars here are formidable. The three tracks by outside writers can pretty much be skipped though. Anyway I put it above Audio Visions and Monolith. It's no Song for America of course...
Maybe Audiovisions but Monolith is really special to me!!! Thank you!!!
great list, mine is pretty close to yours, my favorite of them all is Masque then Song For America, Debut, then Leftoverture, maybe Leftoverture would be higher but it's just over played imo.
You are right about those first four albums!!!
Drastic Measures is one you can pass by..lol
It was beneath their massive abilities…
My only nit to pick would be Freaks of Nature. This, along with Power, is an album I got several years after its release, and with both, I listened to each one once and put them away. I recently decided to give them another try, and I agree with you almost word for word on Power -- decent album, but doesn't really sound like Kansas. And the strange thing is, Morse came from his own band (Dixie Dregs) that always had a violin, and to a band that had only recently discarded theirs, and didn't bring a fiddler along with him. One song sounded a lot like a vocal version of Kat Food from the Dregs, not a bad thing in itself, but also not very Kansas-sounding.
Freaks of Nature, though, not only sounds like Kansas, it sounds like *really good* Kansas. The absence of "hits" has to be due to poor marketing, as there are several songs that deserved air time; I can't think of any stinkers on this, although I'm not wild about the "nah nah nah" vocal line in the title track. For me, this is the only misstep on the album, but even then it's not enough to "ruin" that song, much less the album. Definitely in my top 5, probably #4 (with my top 3 matching yours, only shuffled -- PKR/Left/KS).
I like Freaks Of Nature but as I said on my Kansas video, without a violin player, it just isn’t Kansas. So the addition of David Ragsdale was a very good thing for the band. It probably should have made the list!!!
I will never understand people who claim Kansas isn't prog. They most definitely are.
Absolutely!!!
Here's all you need to know. Albums with Kerry Livgren are always better than ones without Kerry Livgren. So anyone telling you Power is better than Drastic Measures is full of it.
Drastic Measures is pretty dreadful though…
Ever notice bad prog albums have Hipgnosis covers?
They did a lot of great covers but...
I didn't used to like Power but I think it's maybe not so bad after all.
It’s better than Drastic Measures!!! No, it’s actually decent. And Steve Morse too???
There is nothing to discuss or argue about that : Kansas IS a prog band and I add one of the best ever. And their main creative force Kerry Livgren has written some of the most brilliant prog tunes worlwide. It's no surprise that Steve Hackett invited 2 of the band to record his second (and one of his finests) album.
Phil Ehart also turns up on Hackett's new album.
He’s still got it. Saw Kansas a couple years ago and Phil was 🔥🔥🔥
I think Please Don’t Touch is Hackett’s best album!!!
I love 13 for what it is. Freaks of Nature is very good. Did not like Absence of Presence.
I love Kansas!!!
8 18
I am without doubt the world’s biggest Wheathead. Kerry Livgren is the world’s finest composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist. Starting with Seeds of Change, he released a string of solo albums, then formed the band AD with Dave Hope & others (my favorite AD album Art of the State with my favorite song The Fury). And then his last band Proto-Kaw, my favorite album being The Wait of Glory with favorite songs Nevermore, When the Rains Come, and At Morning’s Gate.
It’s a disgrace that Kansas is not in the R&RHoF and Kerry is not in the Songwriter’s HoF. But then the writers of Rolling Stone always disliked Kansas. Idiots!
Indeed they are!!!! Maybe one day they will be recognized for their greatness!!!
Point of no return is number 1
Such a great band. I love the first six so much!!!
I will be one that disagrees with you on "The Absence Of Presence" which I rank at number 6. Even though I live in Europe I've been a Kansas fan from the first album and I'm looking forward to see them live in this fall in Berlin
I knew someone would call me to task on that!!! It’s weird how it just didn’t connect with me the same way The Prelude Implicit did. Music is funny like that!!!
@@TheProgCorner I ranked it Album of The Year when it came out
You are not alone. I read a ton of positive reviews!!!
Ehart not Airhart lol
Yeah, and I say Neil “Pert” as well…
I do too lol@@TheProgCorner
I disagree with the list but I respect your opinion. AudioVisions is on the bottom of my list and POKR is in my top two.
It was really tough at the top of this list!!!
Of course Kansas is PROG!! People would not compair them to Genesis if they wernt! = Which is kinda Weird!! As they are Nothing alike!
I keep reading comments from people who dispute Kansas's Prog credentials. Ridiculous!!!
Speaking of frog Rock bands why don't you rank the angel albums
Yes!!!! Angel were just amazing.