Customer Reviews

Leftoverture

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I do not know why I'm writing a review of this album. Reviews usually include objective comments on the merits of a work and insights into where the work falls short. Leftoverture does not fall short in anyway. By far one of the best albums ever produced and clearly THE standard for arena rock breakouts of the 1970s.

Kismet was at work for this quint in 1976 when they put this disk together. Walsh was experiencing a bit of writers block, but Livgren more than filled the void with Carry On (which almost never made it to the disk), The Wall, Miracles Out of Nowhere, and Cheyenne Anthem. Swelling anthems to be sure! Great hooks in each of em. Inspired lyrics that no other American act comes close to and few Brits could best.

Cover art set the standard for the band. They bested it with Point of Know Return, and Monolith's covers but Leftoverture remains among the best cover art of all time.

Bottom line, there is nothing that misses in this album. If you're a Kansas newbie, here's where you get your start. Try Leftoverture and you'll fill your basket with the rest of the discography.

Questions? email me . . .

There are very few albums that can measure up to the music of Leftoverture. From the powerfull "The Wall" to the breathtaking "Cheyanne Anthem" this CD delivers great music on all tracks without exception. "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Magnum Opus" are in a league of their own, as some of the best music of rock or any genre. There are few albums I can just turn on and listen to straight through without skipping tracks, but this is one of them. The music takes you to a whole new state of mind, and sort of induces a state of conscious sleep. It's amazing. If you're a rock fan, or just appreciate good music, there is no way that you could not like this album.

This album is a milestone in the annals of progressive rock. If you've just heard a Kansas song or two on the radio you might class them in the same file as such AOR bands as Journey and Boston. But if you listen to an actual Kansas album, such as this masterpiece, then it's obvious that their songcraft and musicianship are far and away above the likes of those bands, and indeed the majority of rock bands. Everyone knows Carry On My Wayward Son is a classic. The guitar playing on this song is absolutely outstanding. The Wall is a very nice piece with some truly deep lyrics. Miracles Out of Nowhere is another absolutely outstanding track. Cheyenne Anthem is great as well, and Magnum Opus is an instrumental tour-de-force. Pick up this album if you enjoy great songcraft and musicianship, or if you're tired of hearing the same old love songs and you want music with a meaning.

An unbelievable journey through incredible lyrics and unsurpassed instrumental talents. A unique blend of meaningful lyrics and harmonious music. Ah, how wonderful to listen to music and be able to relate your own self through the realms of this music. Close your eyes, put the headphones on and "Surely Heaven Waits for you"

Leftoverture is not only the best Kansas album ever, it is one of the best rock albums of all time. The music is intricate and complex and the band has some of the best musicians ever in the rock industry. "Carry on Wayward Son", was the most popular song on the album, but in my opinion not the best. Kerry Livgren was at his pinnacle in his songwriting career and it's evident in each and every track. You can't go wrong with any Kansas CD, but this one is the best.

Most people nowadays who own a Kansas album that isn't one of the (too) many "Best Of" collections crowding big-box department stores and/or truck stops usually have either "Leftoverture" or "Point Of Know Return".

Perhaps I'm biased, since this was the first Kansas album I bought as a 14-year-old in 1980, but I think this is where it all came together for Kansas, both artistically and commercially.

Their earlier albums certainly had some wonderful moments, but suffered from a lack of consistency and sometimes duff production. Here the production (by Jeff Glixman) and songwriting (chiefly by Kerry Livgren) are both very good.

Often throughout Kansas' long career the harder, guitar-based rock and Yes/Genesis/ELP influenced progressive rock have sometimes been at odds with one another. Here they are on about equal parity. Richard Williams is quite prominent throughout and Livgren steps out from behind his keyboards to riff away moreso than in the past. All good.

There are also songs here that survive in the club-gigging Kansas repertoire to this day: "The Wall", "Miracles Out Of Nowhere", and, of course, "Carry On Wayward Son".

"Carry On..." has turned out to be both a blessing and an albatross round the neck for Kansas. It was certainly the song that broke them on more than a regional level (proof of this is found in a truncated version of the song being featured in the Henry Winkler/Harrison Ford/Sally Field Vietnam-vet 1977 film "Heroes"). However, along with "Dust In The Wind", it also seems to be a song they can't get away from. I saw them at a club gig about 10 years ago and except for the hardcore fans, like myself, the only time the crowd really responded was during this song. Unfortunate.

There are also some lesser-known gems here, like "Opus Insert" and the (admittedly overindulgent) "Magnum Opus". Almost everyone who has seen a Kansas gig will remember Steve Walsh opening with a few bars of "Howling At The Moon".

If you're a real Kansas fan, you've got this.
If you're a casual Kansas fan, you've probably got this.
If you're any other kind of fan, you should get this, but also check out their other stuff, including the John Elefante-era material and the "Power" album and those that came after.

This band is still quite good.

WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF MUSICIANS. THIS MAKES THE TRUE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO PLAY THIS PROGRESSIVE ROCK SIT BACK AND TAKE NOTICE. IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING BETTER IN THIS VEIN I'D LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT IT.

Wow, Kansas, what a great band. I first heard the song, "Carry on my wayward son" in my car late at night driving my somewhat intoxicated friend home. I thought that I remembered it from somewhere else but im not sure. Kansas is great. So not too long after hearing the song, I went out and bought the album. I began to listen and it got better and better every time. Kansas combines the rock and roll sounds of the late 70's and early 80's along with an entirely different synthetic sound to produce incredible works of music. It's great. Unfortunately, while working on my stereo at boarding school, the cd was sitting on my dresser, and a flashlight dropped from my hands and cracked the cd. That is why I am here tonight writing this and buying the cd again. Yeah Kansas!

Kansas has never been given their due by the rock and roll establishment. This is one of the best rock albumns from the 70's. Listening to these recordings makes me realize how far rock has fallen. The musicians of the 90's have such little talent compared to the band members of Kansas. The lyrics and melodies are unlike anything you will find today. This recording is a must buy for anyone compiling a collection of great rock and roll recordings.

I discovered this album about fifteen years ago on eight-track and just about drove my parents crazy playing it continuously in the car. I was into classical music at the time, and I enjoyed the effort that the musicians put into arranging the album. Highly recommended for those who appreciate good musicianship over (sometimes) overwrought lyrics.