Customer Reviews

Monolith

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the unexpected commercial success of 1977's Point of Know Return, Kansas was faced with the daunting task of following up their hit album. A fine live effort in Two For the Show bridged the gap to Monolith, #6 in what I like to call the "Lucky Seven" (seven consecutive quality albums in a row). This self-produced effort, however, is a portent of major change & eventual schism. A collection of eight 4-6 minute tracks, Monolith's rich packaging suggests a concept album, but the Native American theme so intriguingly presented on the cover is merely hinted at in the lyrics to just one song. This seemingly aborted concept, along with the exclusion of Kerry Livgren's mini-epic "No One Together" from the final LP (shelved for later inclusion on Audio Visions), and the lack of musical cohesion suggests that Monolith was an ambitious project that never came to fruition. Monolith and it's 1980 successor offer Kansas at it's most bi-polar: Livgren's full emergence as a born again Christian contrasted with Steve Walsh's more primal leanings into decidedly secular, straight-ahead rock. However, the mix makes for some fine moments: Livgren's oddly cryptic balladry of "The Other Side," the quality synth-pop of "People of the South Wind," Walsh's beautifully psychotic masterpiece, "Angels Have Fallen," and the blistering hard rock bloozer, "Stay Out of Trouble." The "Icarus" riff is resurrected amongst the ambitious prog of Livgren's "A Glimpse of Home," while Walsh's "Away From You" serves up some hook-laden, harmony infused prog/pop that Mozart would've loved if he were alive 20 years ago. Somewhat misplaced are Walsh's "How My Soul Cries Out For You," a "Heart of the Sunrise" on speed kicker which features an ill-conceived drum solo interrupted by restaurant drive-by audio, and Livgren's attempt to follow up "Dust in the Wind" with the fluffy, Styx-like "Reason to Be." Monolith's jagged path makes it apparent that Kansas would soon be split down the middle by its principle songwriters' respective runs for different borders.

Like a lot of progressive rock bands in the late 1970's there was pressure to adopt mainstream styles and Kansas was certainly not immune to this. Although the epic prog works of the 1974-1975 timeframe were well behind them, Kansas still managed to forge onwards with a good album that exhibited well-thought out compositions and a high standard of playing. Clearly, although the times were changing, Monolith (1979) is certainly more musically interesting than albums that were being released by the English prog giants at the time and even the sci-fi/fantasy influenced cover art suggested that the band may not have been willing to completely let go of the proggier material. Well, let us just say that they loosened their grip a bit on Monolith.

The lineup included Phil Ehart (drums, percussion); Dave Hope (electric bass guitar, Autogyro); Kerry Livgren (electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizers); Robby Steinhardt (lead vocals, viola, violin); Steve Walsh (lead vocals, synthesizers, organ, and piano); and Rich Williams (acoustic & electric guitars). The guys all turned in the typical high level of musicianship, although the keyboards seemed buried in the mix on this album - especially in contrast with albums like Song for America (1975) and the excellent Leftoverture (1976). As usual, Phil and Dave blast away and do a great job.

On Monolith, although the general sound is still that of the trademark progressive hard rock sound that characterized their output, the proggier aspects of the typical Kansas composition had been pushed to the background somewhat and more mainstream styles (e.g. disco) started to turn up here and there - the "breezy" tune People of the South Wind is a good example of this tendency. The songs range in length from 3'38" to 6'37" with most in the 3-5 minute range - as always though, the band still managed to say a great deal in a short amount of time and there are some extremely proggy moments on the album. Actually, in all fairness there are some excellent pieces on Monolith that feature fantastic playing, composing, and sophisticated arrangements including Angels Have Fallen, On the Other Side, Away from You, and the superb Reason to Be, which stands among some of my favorite Kansas compositions.

My hope is that this album will get remastered at some point - it really is in desperate need of an update. Maybe then I will be able to really hear the keyboards.

Well there you have it. Monolith is a good Kansas album that has a bit of the prog punch of earlier works, while moving in a more mainstream direction. For folks that are new to Kansas, I would personally recommend Song for America, Leftoverture, and Point of Know Return (1977) as good starting points. In conclusion, Monolith stands as a fitting bookend to a great series of adventurous albums of progressive hard rock released in the 1970's and is recommended.

If you compare this with their previous studio effort "Point Of Know Return", this one isn't nearly as good, but if you let this album stand alone on it's own this is a very good album. Some people wanted to hear a Point of know return part two, but I think they wanted too put out something different this time around. I just love the first track "On the other side", but I think it would sound better if it were remastered. Equally as good is "People of the Southwind", which is one of the great classic rock songs. "Glimpse of home" and "Away from you" are the other two songs that really stand out. I think that "Stay out of trouble" is an alright tune, but could you imagine that song fitting on the album "Point of know return". It would stick out like a sore thumb. It's not the kind of song that I like to hear from this great American progressive band. The final track "Reason to be" is a nice close to the album, but it's one of my least favorite KANSAS songs. I think when this album was being written Kerry Livgren was a new Christian and it show's in a handful of his compositions on this album. I really can't understand the several bad reviews on MONOLITH, but maybe these reviewers aren't diehard fans like me. DON'T HESITATE IN BUYING THIS UNDERRATED GEM!!!

I have to admit. . . im pretty shocked at the reviews for
this album. Along with fond memories of getting this
record/ "vinyl" for that years Christmas, the music fit
the mood, a fire place roaring on unusually COLD
so-cal winter... that also fit the cover of the album and
its gatefold of "souix indians" camping next to cold
ruins of freeways decorated with the "spirits" of
times long past.
PEOPLE OF THE SOUTHWIND indeed!

MONOLITH is probably what it was to the band to
make!
The reviews have said "the dimise of the band" and
"songs are commercial". . . wow! i have NEVER
heard commercial songs that sound like these.
if this album was done under duress or pressure,
well if you read about their history, just about all
their albums were done under such circumstances
and produced GREAT hit songs!
This album is no exception. BUT this album was'nt
about hit songs, it was about crafting an album.

i wont go through each song but each is crafted with
such BEAUTY and every "empty" space is filled with
sound, it is definatly an album for head-phones.
This album contains EVERY ingredient that makes
up KANSAS into every muscle that has grown to get
to this point in their career. The compositions are
soo intricate, found in songs like ANGELS HAVE
FALLEN, A GLIMPSE OF HOME. the soaring
opening song ON THE OTHERSIDE about song
writing/finding that place of "bliss" and the beautiful
solos that bridge the piece.
The Hard Edged (especially for kansas at that time)
HOW MY SOUL CRIES OUT FOR YOU and then
turns "left" in the middle for a humorous "movie"
momment that caught me by suprise when i first
heard it! Definatly NOT a commercial song.
Then the beautiful REASON TO BE was simply
MADE to end the album from all the intricate
musical weavings to make its farewell.

This album has what you expect: rock, blues, hard
rock, then prog and mix well
. . .and then breaks expectation.
Steve Walsh's voice is in its prime here, and all the
guys shine with all their talents in creating complex
yet wonderous compositions into unique songs
that keep the Kansas sound.

To note, this is where Kerry Livgrens "spiritual
quest" was comming to a head in what he thought
was the "answer" found in "URANTIA" (according to
his book "SEEDS OF CHANGE"), NOT "Christianity"
as most thought, think of the previous album POINT
OF KNOW RETURN and DUST IN THE WIND, it
wasnt a Christian song but a "spiritual" songmade
of many beliefs, yet it would be a "revelation" for
Kerry on his first solo record SEEDS of CHANGE
and the next 2 Kansas albums when he became
Christian.
With that and the heart and soul that Kerry put into
this, and where Rich, Dave, Steve, Robby and Phil
were "at", the passions and emotions clearly
helped this album STAND ALONE amongst the hits
to make this an essential progressive album in ANY
prog collection. I suggest anyone who dismissed
this album to NOT force this album and compare it,
but savour it and take it for what it truley is,
BRILLIANT. . . a MONOLITH indeed.
(Hopefully being re-mastered with extra's.)

And you can check out the "promotional films" for
Monolith (what we now call VIDEOS), that i first saw
on "Don Kirshners ROCK CONCERT" at midnight
on saturdays WAYYY back when.
I thought i'd NEVER see those videos again, they
are on the DVD in the "Kansas the 30th Anniversary
Collection".

I believe that Kansas hit their commercial and artistic stride with three albums: "Leftoverture", "Point of Know Return", and this one. As other reviewers have noted, "Monolith" is somewhat uneven and not as good as the other two albums in what I refer to as "The Kansas Trilogy"; nevertheless, it is still a good LP with several enjoyable tracks, particularly "On the Other Side", "People of the South Wind" (a personal favorite of my wife), and "A Glimpse of Home".

Please ignore the rather stupid remarks of one previous reviewer who said that this album would appeal only to dedicated "can hear no wrong" fans. Although I'm a fan of Kansas, I'm also objective enough to dismiss Kansas albums that I thought were less than satisfactory (for example, "Audio-Visions" and "Power", both of which I believe to be no longer available).

If you have heard "Leftoverture" and "Point of Know Return", you'll probably like "Monolith", but to a slightly lesser degree.

There's a lot to like about MONOLITH...but sometimes it gets lost in the mighty wake of POINT OF KNOW RETURN. After the megaplatinum success of the previous two studio albums and tours, the band sounds a lot less self-assured here. The explosion of punk and disco left many prog rock titans scratching their heads, looking for direction. This album tends to be a bit less experimental and generally tries to be more accessible and radio-friendly. Ironically, it was not nearly as commercially successful as LEFTOVERTURE and POINT. Still, there's some great music here that is worth checking out. Since it hasn't been overplayed, some of these cuts are a fresh revelation. "On the Other Side" is an excellent lead-off track that definitely hearkens back to the earlier, complex sound. The hit single, "People of the Southwind" seems to be controversial among Kansas fans. I happen to think it's a great track, full of energy and vitality. It's definitely catchy and poppy, but it is by no means "disco," and it retains a lot of hallmark Kansas instrumentation and feeling. As track number 3, the stunning epic "Angels Have Fallen," begins to unfold, you get the feeling that Kansas may be about to deliver their best album yet. But, hold the phone, Chester. The band doles out the cheese on track 4, "How My Soul Cries Out for You," which seems a little forced and over the top--though it does contain some pretty hot guitar playing. Having seen Kansas during the MONOLITH tour, I can tell you that "How My Soul" definitely cooked live...so, overlook the weak lyrics and wierd subject and crank up those guitars, man. "Glimpse of Home" has some great moments; it's got a little bit of everything: majestic prog, funky shuffling and riffing, longing lyrics, and nice vocal interplay. "Away from You" is another pop excursion, with some racing keyboard work and great vocals from Steve Walsh. "Stay Out of Trouble" is similar to "How My Soul" with excellent guitar work but less-than-stellar lyrics and pacing. "Reason to Be" is a pleasant surprise...a gentle, unpretentious track that is achingly gorgeous. This Kirshner/CBS package, originally released in 1990, is way overdue for a re-mastered/expanded release from Epic/Legacy. The original LP artwork was waaaay cool and original (like all Kansas releases), but this particular CD version is a pale representation of it. And, the sound is not nearly as crisp and rich as the original. To sum up: this is one Kansas album from the "classic period" that seems to get overlooked. Give it a shot...you'll find plenty to enjoy.

Monolith was the first release to follow the brilliant live album Two For The Show and possibly the first to show the differences in direction that the two lead men Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren wanted to move in (which were all too obvious on the next release Audio Visions). Its most likely this that makes Monolith slightly uneven and a step down from Leftoverture and Point Of Know Return although still a very worthy album.

Monolith is very much like Masque and Song For America in one respect. Over half of the tracks are very strong with the other half being very average. For instance On the Other Side, People Of The South Wind, Angels Have Fallen, A Glimpse Of Home and Reason To Be represent Kansas at their best and contain some wonderful melodies whereas the others are lacklustre with How My Soul Cries Out For You featuring a bizarre interlude in the middle with the sounds of a packed bar and rickety old barroom piano (weird).

Although not their strongest album it is probably only bettered by Song For America, Leftoverture and Point Of Know Return (if you exclude the wonderful live album) and is a worthy addition to any Kansas fan's collection.

Recommendation to buy.

By the time "Monolith" came out in 1979 Kansas had two multi-platinum albums in a row and had become huge concert draws. The band put together a massive tour for this album with a huge stage show incorporating top notch lighting, lasers, pyro, special effects, a rotating drum riser for Phil Ehart, and even had roadies playing parts in the show. It was truly a spectacle to behold and was Kansas at their absolute peak as a live act. The band also decided to play the then new album "Monolith" in it's entirety on the tour. Unfortunately the album was a definite slide in quality from the band's previous efforts. For many Kansas fans "Monolith" was the album that represents the beginning of a downward spiral for the band. "Monolith" is not a bad album, but it was probably the band's weakest effort up to this point in their career. The pressure of trying to write a follow up to the hugely successful "Point Of Know Return" seemed to affect the writing on this one. It is definitely more commercial in nature with the longest song clocking in at just over 6 minutes. Although there are bits and pieces of the bands progressive rock roots, most of the material here is more "mainstream" (for lack of a better word), which is not necessarily a bad thing, but a bit less than what Kansas fans had come to expect. Commercially the album did not do nearly as well as the last two. The single "People Of The Southwind", although a cool little song, came and went on the charts fairly quickly. Kerry Livgren's Christian influence really starts to show up here too especially on songs like "A Glimpse Of Home". The highlights for me on the album are the opening track "On The Other Side", and "Angels Have Fallen". Tracks like "Stay Out Of Trouble" written by Steve Walsh give a glimpse of what he would eventually do in his solo career and his other band "Streets". All in all this is a decent Kansas release, but not nearly on the level of the previous 5 albums in my opinion.

For those of you who are too young to have had the opportunity to see this great band live with their original lineup, you don't know what you are missing. This album wasn't on a par with Leftoverture or Point of Know Return, but it remains my favorite Kansas work nonetheless. Every song takes me back to the summer of 1979 at the Richmond Colosseum in Virginia, where Kansas performed to a packed house during their "Monolith" tour. Along with their established standards, Kansas performed every single song from Monolith that night. When Kansas violinist Robbie Steinhardt announced that Kansas was celebrating their 9th anniversary as a band, the crowd erupted with a cheer so intense that Steinhardt remarked that it was the most enthusiastic response they had gotten to this announcement so far on their tour. I think most of us there that night knew that the musical winds were shifting in the U.S.A., and that soon there would be little or no room for larger-than-life, progressive rock bands like Kansas, as the dark ages of the Disco era began to take over. This was the beginning of the end of 70's rock music as we knew it. But, that night we put such thoughts out of our mind and allowed ourselves to be carried away by the music. I wish Kansas had recorded a live version of Monolith, because this is the platform where these songs really had a chance to shine. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to see Kansas perform them.

KANSAS - Monolith (1979) (*** ½ ) 8 tracks - (41:45)

Monolith was KANSAS's sixth studio album in five years. The whole band was still together, even under the pressures of stardom, touring, and keeping up the process of writing good songs. Kerry Livgren (guitar/keyboards) was still the main songwriter, and again seemed to pen the most well known songs. In this case, the opening track: On the Other Side, and People of the South Wind (my personal favorite). The album's closer, Reason to Be is a classic KANSAS song. Nice acoustic guitars, good vocal harmonies, and some nice violin sections. A trend the band had started with Point of Know Return, they continued on Monolith, no epic-length songs. A few reached the six-minute plus mark, but that was the extent of it.

Monolith has some good songs on it, but it is just not as "solid" an effort as their two previous albums had been. Many people feel Monolith marks the beginning of the end for KANSAS. The other problem with this particular release is that, just like Two for the Show, this album has only been issued by SONY/Kirshner records. There is no EPIC/Legacy "Remaster" yet (if ever). EPIC has been dragging its feet on this one for YEARS! I heard about rumours of an upcoming remaster back in 2004. The CBS/Kirshner issue is so lacking that the simple single-fold booklet doesn't even have the band members listed or any kind of liner notes. I only have the lyrics because I own a vinyl copy.

I can only recommend this to fans. Hopefully a remastered version will eventually come our way, with more good bonus tracks included like they did on the Leftoverture and Point of Know Return Remasters. Hello? Is anybody listening?

Best Tracks: On the Other Side, People of the South Wind.