Customer Reviews

Art of the State

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

That's the tagline I use to describe this wonderful album, perhaps the best "group" album of Kerry Livgren's career, rivaling what many to be the best Kansas album ever, "Leftoverture," for song structure, vocals, instrumentation, and texture. Each song is carefully woven, and split between AD's two lead vocalists: the soulful Warren Ham (keyboards, woodwinds) and the soaring, "Steve Walsh-like" Michael Gleason (keyboards). Both lead vocalists tried out for the vacant lead vocalist position in Kansas when Steve Walsh left the band in 1981. The quintet is rounded out by Dennis Holt (described by some as the "Neil Peart" of Christian rock), Kerry Livgren (chief songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist), and ex-Kansas bass player Dave Hope.
The album mixes a variety of styles, with Kansas-like prog-rock, classical, and jazz (Zion, chiefly written by Warren Ham, is a fast-moving jazz piece, that shows the versatility of the drummer, Dennis Holt). The best cuts are Heartland, which clocks in under four minutes and contains guitars, keyboards of organ, strings, and piano, and the soaring vocals of Warren Ham. The Revelatory piece, "The Fury," is applauded by another reviewer, and the tribulation period "Up from the Wasteland" echoes images of scripture found in Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation. This album is a MUST own if you like Kansas, Kerry Livgren, AD, or progressive rock!

If you like the music of Kansas, then this album will thrill you. Kerry Livgren, the writing force for such hits as "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry On Wayward Son", has continued to mature in his "art rock" style of music. The lyrical content of this album is deep and meaningful. It's an album worth adding to your collection and enjoying for a long time.

Unlike alot of long time Kansas fans, AD's Art of the State was my first introduction to the music of Kerry Livgren. To this very day it's one of my favorite Christian albums from the 80's. I actually have the LP of this album and I didn't dare part with it! Even after finding the CD, I still probably won't part with it since I'm still a fan of the cover art. I found the music to be a really smart, polished and creative alternative to a lot of 80's Christian rock which IMHO is saying quite a bit, since I feel Christian rock really began to come into it's own at the time. Out of 10 great songs, my favorite would have to be the dark and apocalyptic "The Fury" which I just learned is one of Kerry's favorites. Another favorite is "Up From the Wasteland"

The second AD album is a classic, just as the first, Time Line, was. I personally put it slightly behind TL as I prefer the former album's harder edge. Still, this is an esential album to have in the collection of any Kery Livgren or Kansas fan, or even anyone in general. Not a bad tune on the disc in my opinion. Get it and you won't be disappointed, believe me. Among the highlights are "The Fury" and "All Creation Sings."

Since I am a Kansas fan, I am a Kerry Livgren fan for sure. If you liked the sounds of Kansas, you'll like same (or perhaps more) the depth, quality and variety of Livgren's work as well. Livgren's work will always be in my music library.

I ordered the CD from Germany because they are not can not buy.
Business and delivery were without problems.The duty was collected at delivery. The CD was nevertheless still significantly cheaper than regular German market prices. For years, I try to get to Germany in the 80's music by Kerry Livgren, now I've found at last.
The absolute favorites are "timeline" and "Art of the state" with AD. Musical diversity and creative masterpieces on the run. to the relentless good voice and the perfect craftsmanship skills of all musicians. a milestone and actually much more than still an insider tip.

This is a favorite from years ago. It is Kerry Livgren (of Kansas) at his finest in his group AD. I had the cassette tape and knew it was time to upgrade to CD when I saw it was available.

I have enjoyed K. Livgren's musicianship and incomparable compositional skills since I first heard Kansas. I love Art of the State! Everything about this cd appeals to me. Please, you owe it to yourself to buy this music and support Kerry Livgren. A musical genius and true Christian.

This album has everything, the glorious creation of God, the fallen state of man, God's judgment as well as the promised restoration of those called by his name. In an era where syrupy contemporary Christian pop began to come to the fore and limpid praise and worship music began to cloud and crowd out genuine Christian orthodoxy with flashy beats and passionless messages, one group waded upstream against that tide with music and and a firey Christian message oozing from every beat of drum and electric guitar lick. The group was AD, and with a Spirit filled Kerry Livgren at the helm, it reached its pinnacle of music success in "Art of the State". In the 25 years since I first heard this album, even today, no group comes close even matching what AD put into that album, (though I'm partial to Michael Omartian's strong early Christian albums as well). There is no bad song on the album and two songs in particular..."Progress" and "We are the Men" speak more urgently to our society now then when they did 25 years ago. I urge you to get this album and share where you can!

AD was a record that I bought when it was first out, and I played the thing till the grooves got ruined. (thanks to my college roommates record player that needed a new needle)
So, here we are about 20 years later and what do we have? Art of the State on CD. Thank you Kerry!
I will admit that this CD did not bring me the fuzzy feelings that I had when I first bought the vinyl record, but I am sure that the tracks that have not grabbed me yet, will do so in time.
I have had about 7 or 8 of these tracks on two of Livgren/AD's other CDs, Decade and Compact Classics. Now I have then as they originally appeared.
The sound quality is great, although the packaging is a little indie for me.
I definitely would start here if you are not familiar with Livgren's solo work, but then again, this is HIS band!