Customer Reviews

The Raging Fire

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

 

 

Since the first cd was so good,(4.5 stars), and after reading some negative reviews, I thought I might be dissapointed in this one. Hardly the case. This is a good cd. Contrary to other opinions, I think it gets better as it goes. The first two songs seem to be transitions from the first cd, then it really gets interesting, with taste of Ozzie, Def Leppard, and White Snake. The songs, It Should Have Been You and Winds of War are classic. Winds of War sounds like it could be a Kansas song. The bonus track, though a good song, is just that, as it does not mix well with the other songs. Overall, the songs on this cd are better than the first cd minus the all-star musicians, though the musicians here are great especially Mike Slammer. 4.5 stars

This actually started out very good, particularly the first four songs. They are just really good AOR with just the slightest hint of prog. Seriously, very good stuff. The Raging Fire was a good song, but starting with that song, the cd makes a pretty quick decline. Sin City is really bad, as is It Should Have Been You. The key is, if you are putting filler in a cd, don't put them three songs in a row; it completely kills the momentum that has been built to that point. When Run started, I thought it might break the filler pattern, but it doesn't. While Pyramid Princess is ambitious, I think the song should have been saved for Kansas, but it's a good song, nonetheless. I'm not meaning to nitpick it. Winds of War is really good, too. In summary, this cd starts out really good, dies, and then ressurects itself into a decent cd. If you want to buy about six good songs, this is your cd, but make sure you want to suffer through some low parts.

Well, when an artist releases a debut album, he wants to introduce his "Sound", then, the second one is to set what he has been done and make it better, not in this case, I felt a little disappointed (just a little...)in this The Raging Fire, less "rest-songs", less invited guests, less inspired melodies, the best ones are The Sun Will Rise and the hit Always From the Heart, the first one is still a "Classic", if you like it, you can also get "Power from Kansas", which is costing a budget around, if you wanna have this Raging Fire, go for US edition, which comes with an extra song, I bought the imported and missed it....(but I'll buy the US Ed. later, when the price falls down down down...eh-eh-eh...)

Any fan of Melodic Rock will love this CD. Billy Greer of Kansas showcasing his voice finally, and Mike Slammer showcasing his guitar talent -- Well worth your time and dollars.

Billy Greer has long been known as Kansas Bassist and background vocalist. Also working w/Steve Walsh (Kansas Lead Vocalist) on Streets, a project aside from Kansas, one may wonder when they hear this why Billy ever sang background vocals at all.

Not to imply that Walsh was ever unworthy or unready for the task at hand, simply, Billy is also, just that good!

Greer's voice is clear and articulate, with an impressive range and strength that rivals any in his field.
Mike Slammer(Lead guitar, Keys and Producer) and the rest of the band, Jamie Thompson(Drums), and Terry Brock(Background vocals)are equally as talented producing a cd rich and full in sound.

All songs are written by Slammer and Greer proving not only their instrumental and vocal abilities, but also their talent as composers and arrangers of well crafted tunes that are easily relatable and come full circle. The follow up to their first project, Seventh Key Seventh Key proves they have what it takes to continue to produce great music, but will they is the question.

One song missing from this release is "Love Train" a genuine, would be rock classic if only it were included on this cd. It was released on a limited basis outside of the country, and is a heart pounding, thought provoking, sexy tune, in the tradition of classic rock & roll! I was very disappointed not to see it listed when the cd arrived in my finger tips, but fans can go to the Seventh Key website and listen to it there.

Over all a positive transaction for a cd well worth the time and price!

Christine (myspace URL: rockinmamachris)

I listen to alot of music, new and old, and there are very few newer releases that I really get excited about and love. I LOVE this cd. This is what melodic hard rock is all about!! Sure, there a few less than brilliant songs here, but the majority of the songs are very well written, well played, well sung, and rock hard! Man, I love this cd. Forget that Billy played for Kansas. This is not Kansas (although I love Kansas). This is great rock and roll with a good mix of guitar, keys and great musicianship. Get it!!

I expected more from this CD. The only good song is "You cross the line". As another fan wrote, the rest is just filler music. The only positive thing to say about this CD is it's better than the first, which is not saying much. Billy, maybe you need to go back to "Kansas".

I did not listen to this with the expectation that it would sound like Kansas. I simply expected to enjoy it on some level.
NOT SO! I found myself rather embarrassed by the childish lyrics and the overwhelming cheesy 80's sound. It's just silly.
If I had a time machine, and could go back to an earlier decade to hear some good music, I would skip the 80's. Of course if your sporting a mullet and enjoy Budweiser and like Winger, you can't go wrong here. Sorry Billy, nothing personal.

RAGING 80'S REHASH.....GET BACK WITH KANSAS AND WRITE SOME NEW MUSIC....PLEASE MAKE IT BE GREAT LIKE POWER, SPIRIT OF THINGS, AND FREAKS OF NATURE AND WHILE YOUR AT IT THROW IN A LITTLE OF SOMEWHERE TO ELSEWHERE SPIRIT....FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT TO DANGLE WITH THE HAIR BAND INFLUENCED MUSIC THIS ALBUM IS IT...THOSE WHO EXPECT PROGRESSIVE MIGHT CRY AFTER HEARING THESE HAIRY TUNES.