Customer Reviews

Somewhere to Elsewhere

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As a Kansas fan introduced to the band while listening to "Icarus-Borne on Wings of Steel" on my older brother's 8-Track in 1975, hearing these familiar strains on "Icarus II" has brought my Kansas experience full circle. The original lineup got together again to record 10 new Livgren compostions producing a recording reminiscent of classic Kansas while still fresh and contemporary sounding. Starting with 'Icarus II" a tribute song poignant, violent and epic, and ending with the all out rocker about big brother, "Not Man Big", the album creates many moods and emotions. "Myriad and "Distant Vision" are instant Kansas progressive rock classics with a Steve Walsh "Yes"-like scat during a passage in the former, and a beautiful piano accompained vocal passage reminding one of "Closet Chronicles" in the later. The Beatle-esque "Look at the Time" and "Disappearing Skin Tight Blues" are probably the most listenable songs with catchy hooks and pop choruses. Walsh sounds great here, with Kerry's keyboards (some rousing organ play throughout) Rich's power chords and Phil's machine like drumming other notables. The band can still rock with the best of them. While listening to "STE" one can only wonder what could have been over the past 2 decades had the members been able to work out their differences and remain together. But as stated in "When the World Was Young", "the pride that comes before the fall is with us". Finally checking their egos at the door, Kansas has produced what history should eventually view as a timeless classic, and as fans we should be pleased we got one more.

Kansas fans and newcomers alike will be well satisfied with this CD of brand new material. All 10 songs are written by Kerry Livgren, and perfomed by all six original Kansas members, including Livgren on guitar and keyboards, bassist Dave Hope, lead singer Steve Walsh, violinist and frontman vocalist Robby Steinhardt, drummer Phil Ehart, and guitarist Rich Williams. Hope plays bass on only two tracks, while current bassist Billy Greer picks up the rest of the bass chores, and even takes lead vocals on "Look At The Time".

At the official Kansas website, Livgren stated that the hope was to capture the band's "original fire and vision" from the early days, and that the album would have many "familiar stylistic twists, and new twists as well." Take it from this long time fan, they've succeeded beyond their wildest imaginings.

All of the guys have obviously mended the fences that were splintered over creative and other differences nearly 20 years ago, and the renewed passion they all have for the music shows in this album. Everyone is given an opportunity to shine, from the powerhouse vocals of Greer, Steinhardt and Walsh (whose voice has never sounded better, having lost a lot of the "ragged edge" sound from previous albums), to Williams' "Meatwall" sound, on down the line. Many different influences can be heard here, including early Kansas (more obvious in "Icarus II" and "When the World Was Young"), a little Beatles (the aforementioned "Look At The Time"), Zepplin ("Byzantium"), some blues ("Grand Fun Alley") and even a bit of 50's doo wop ("Disappearing Skin Tight Blues"). Also, don't miss the hidden track about 1 minute after the final listed song; it's just the guys goofing around in the studio on a little ditty, that I can only call "Geodesic Dome Blues". My picks for radio play are "When The World Was Young" for rock/top 40 stations, and the soothing "The Coming Dawn" for the lite rock/adult contemporary outlets. This CD is not to be missed by anyone!

P.S.: If the band is reading this: Guys, my suggestion for the next album is to use the songs not used on "Somewhere to Elsewhere", throw in 5 or 6 additional songs, bring back all of the original members along with Billy Greer again to play, PLUS bring in the alumni: Steve Morse, John Elefante, David Ragsdale and Greg Robert, and really show everyone how it should be done!

I read almost every review of this CD before purchasing it, even though I have every single CD from Kansas (even a very expensive European copy of the ever-hard-to-find "Masque"), including solo efforts by Livgren and Walsh. I must say, this album is a wonderful break from the somewhat forgettable albums from the 80's and 90's. While the CD as a whole does not totally live up to every Kansas album up to "Point of Know Return", it does have some songs which will become part of my "classic" Kansas pantheon.

There seems to much discussion about Walsh and his somewhat ragged voice. I recently went to see Kansas in concert for the tour of this album. While Walsh's voice is strained on the albums, his live performances are wonderful. What is so interesting is that songs such as "Distance Vision" work for Walsh beautifully, especially in the last stanza where he belts the lyrics with a power equal to the music. I get the impression from the CD that they left his voice all too naked through the rest of the songs. I really think the attraction of Walsh's voice in the "classic" years was that his voice was simply another instrument rather than a vocal. His ability to punch the energy in a song was similar to the unforgettable compositions from the all-too-talented band members. The technique was always complex without being complicated. In songs such as "Distant Vision" and "Byzantium", Walsh's vocal contributions are as an integral whole rather than a stand apart element. Where he falls apart (and perhaps where the songwriting on previous albums fell), is where his voice is pulled out as a highlighted element. Kansas, when at their best, are about creating music as an authorless effort. This is where I believe he has always been the most effective, even when his range was much more dynamic. I think the mixing needs to be looked at again given his range. Songs such as "Distant Vision" prove that he still has ability. However, I think that Walsh's vocals are a delicate instrument at this point and need to be handled as such.

Regarding the rest of the band, I do not want to glaze over their talent (including the non-original Greer - what a wonderful addition!), I have such respect for their ability that I simply expected no less. Phil is still one of the most under-rated drummers in the business, Robbie still has the ability to make me shiver (an what a haunting persona!), Williams still holds his guitar like a baby on stage and treats his craft with respect, and both Greer and Hope still understand that rythem can be and should be a complex element of music. And as always, Walsh's voice is best when teamed with Robbie's. I hope they both understand how well their voices work together.

Kerry Livgren, perhaps one of my favorite composers, shines on this effort throught his spirited songwriting. "Leftoverture" was released at a time of great personal self searching, and, like so many others at that time, I found in Livgren someone who poetically understood what it is like to search for answers. The answers are hard to come by and the searching can be quite painful and frustrating. The beauty of music is it's ability to show us the poetry in everyday life. It is refreshing to find through this CD that Livgren is still searching, it is simply at a much higher level.

Being a fan since 1973, I can easily recommend this album to any fan, old or new. There are areas where it approaches and even surpasses their "classic" work (Distant Vision, Byzantium, and Myriad), but there are also areas where it falls, primaily because of a mishandled vocal track. But because the high spots are so luminous, they carry the CD as a whole. After hearing the best on this album, I can see how it would be grave mistake in not having this CD in my collection. "Distant Vision", "Byzantium", and "Myriad" could have easily been on the "Leftoverture" album. These songs have those wonderful, unforgetable, uniquely Kansas melodies which you keep in your head all day long.

My love for the "classic" Kansas is that their music has the ablility to become personal rather than just entertaining. I first heard them as an adolescent teenager, and, now in my late 30's with a family and a career, the music is as fresh and meaningful as ever. I love that I will listen to Kansas out of appriciation and personal fullfillment rather than some glib nostalgic need. I still listen to my old Kansas CD because this element is missing in the current industry. Much to my delight, this new release clearly continues this all-too-rare type of musicianship. This album will become one of my favorite, probably by day's end. I would encourage the band members to continue writing and performing songs such as "Distant Vision", "Byzantium", "Myriad", and "Icarus II". This type of serious music is desparately needed in todays glib musical pantheon.

The original Kansas line-up re-unites here for the first time since their 1980 album, AUDIO-VISIONS, along with longtime bassist Billy Greer, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Kansas has not only recaptured their glory days, but they have managed to build upon that legacy and soar to new heights. Kerry Livgren calls this one of the three best Kansas albums ever made...I would at least put it in the Top 5, maybe Top 4. This is Livgren's best, most consistent songwriting since POINT OF KNOW RETURN, and his production and instrumental work are spot-on classic Kansas. All the guys are playing at peak form, and Steve Walsh's voice hasn't sounded this strong since the mid-eighties. "Icarus II" is a magnificent lead-off track; it's a stirring, moving, rocking thematic companion piece of sorts to their iconic 1975 track from MASQUE. Just listen to Phil Ehart's furious, yet sophisticated percussion work here, plus the twin guitar roar of Rich "Meatwall" Williams and Kerry Livgren. Dave Hope's thundering yet nimble bass work is another highlight on this and subsequent tracks. "I2" is a primo story song that will leave a lump in your throat and a glisten in your eyes...and ringing in your ears. Kansas hits a gritty, rocking groove with "When the World Was Young," and then kicks up the blues quotient with the prophetic "Grand Fun Alley" (featuring Robby Steinhardt on vocals). Steve Walsh provides one of his most inspiring and warm vocal performances ever on "Coming Dawn," a gorgeous, spine-tingling presentation with some stellar violin work from Steinhardt. Kansas pulls out all the prog stops for "Myriad," a complex, jazzy number that is lyrically brilliant and instrumentally challenging. Billy Greer steps up to the microphone with the Beatlesque gem, "Look at the Time," a memorable, melodic treat. The blues lumber back aboard for the Steinhardt growled "Disappearing Skin Tight Blues," a potent brew with seeeeeeerious attitude. As great as everything preceeding it is, "Distant Vision" is a contender for best track on the CD, with a sound and structure that hearken back to "Song for America" or to early Genesis. Simply stunning! And, up next, with many ornate and varied textures, the beautiful and mysterious "Byzantium" is a haunting vision that entices and enlightens. However, let it not be said that this edition of Kansas went quietly into the night..."Not Man Big" is a Walsh tour de force, a powerhouse rave-up highlighted again my some very heavy guitar work from the Williams/Livgren tandem. Let the CD play for a few moments after "Not Man Big" and a surprise bonus track pops up, entitled...as best as I can tell..."I Wanna Live in a Geodesic Dome," featuring the vocals of "Mississippi Willie" Kerry Livgren. Don't miss it...this little tune is a hoot and shows off the well-hidden but still potent silly side of these cosmic rockers. SOMEWHERE TO ELSEWHERE is the album that Kansas fans dreamed about for nearly 20 years. That it more than lives up to its promise is great news indeed to Kansas fans and anyone who appreciates excellent progressive rock music.

Music is most effective when it transports the listener -- whether it be to another place, time, mood or experience. The return of Kansas' original lineup, plus bassist-vocalist Billy Greer, in "Somewhere to Elsewhere" took this listener back 26 years ago when the first Kansas album hit the record racks.

From the first strains of "Icarus II," the opening track, longtime Kansas fans will feel at home. And yet there are a enough surprises to make it obvious these guys have kept growing since their last effort.

The best example might be "Look at the Time," which features Greer singing a tune that starts out sounding like it would be at home on a Beatles album but takes a couple of detours into "Kashmir" territory. The band revisits Middle Eastern sounds in a couple of other songs on the album as well.

The reunion of vocalist Steve Walsh and songwriter Kerry Livgren is the No. 1 attraction of this album. Kansas albums that lack either Livgren or Walsh all seem to have something missing. Walsh's voice always seemed to be just the one for Livgren's lyrics.

Walsh's vocal range has diminished over the years. While he labors through some songs -- especially the first two on the album -- that he easily would have belted out 20 years ago, the weariness in his voice adds a poignant touch to some of the songs, such as "Distant Vision," "Thanatopsis" and "Byzantium" and its raspiness is just the ticket in "Not Man Big." Warning: You'll have a hard time getting the melody of "Byzantium" out of your head.

My advice: Stay with the vocals on this CD through the first two tracks and you'll be okay.

Livgren's lyrics for the most part plumb spiritual and philosophical themes. The Christian references often are oblique, yet he's not coy about making his points. Those who know his lexicon will recognize the themes. Those who don't will either investigate and learn or simply enjoy the tunes.

"Icarus II" opens the album in signature Kansas style with shifting themes and moods, including a new wrinkle where the guitars and drums do a dead-on Metallica impression as they evoke aerial combat. The song ends with a violin signature from "Masque's" "Icarus" Borne on Wings of Steel." Listen carefully and you'll hear snippets of other Kansas themes elsewhere in the album.

The song "Distant Vision" comes closest to re-creating the Kansas sound on an album that is somewhat subdued compared to their most famous albums, "Leftoverture" and "Point of Know Return."

Another pleasant surprise was that violinist/vocalist Robbie Steinhardt's singing and violin sound better than anything since Kansas' early days. I thought his work had been reduced to mere fiddling on "Audiovisions" and "Vinyl Confessions," the last two albums he played on. In addition, his vocals often provided a good counterpoint for Walsh's.

Yes indeed, if you like old Kansas you will love Somewhere to Elsewhere. And if you don't know much about Kansas this is a great album to try. Their best effort probably since 1989's In the Spirit of Things but more captivating. Much more "musical." Going back to a longer song format lets the band shine. "Icraus II" is a powerful rocker with the heaviest middle section the band has done. "The Coming Dawn" is a very pretty and moving piece...darkish yet uplifting with great vocals from Walsh. "Myriad" was originally witten in 1971. It has been updated but you can certainly hear some of the original music sections. The most musically adventerous piece on the disc. "Look at the Time" is another powerful ballad type song with a great lead vocal part by bassist Billy Greer. "Distant Vision" harkens back to the "Vinyl Confessions" days somewhat at first but goes through some nice changes musically and lyrically. "When the world was Young" rocks from start to finish with some great guitar work from Rich and awesome screams and vocal changes by Steve again. "Disapearing Skin Tight Blues" is a fun and different number for the group. Kind of bluesy but not overwhelmingly so..featuring a great lead vocal by Robby. Not a bad tune on the disc if you like longer, more complex music. This music is everything from the darker purples of "Song for America"and "Masque" to the light blues and bright yellows of "Vinyl Confessions."Kansas has done themselves proud and, although this disc will surely be overlooked by pop radio and the Brittney Spears crowd as too "old" and "far-reaching" it should garner the band critical acclaim. As Kansas always has been...this is good music, well written and interesting to listen to with something other than people that can't sing over a monotonous 2/4 that tends to put you to sleep. It inspires you and makes you think. Give it a try and you will like yourself for it. BRAVO KANSAS!!

The original members of Kansas returned to their home state to record this project at Kerry Livgren's farm. Eluding the stigma usually attached to 'reunion' albums, Livgren wrote all ten tracks with matured vision and has given Kansas what is arguably its best album ever. In the process, Livgren has become the Norman Rockwell of American classic rock music, crafting songs that are detailed, adventurous, dramatic, and ultimately reassuring. The opening track, 'Icarus II', is a tribute to a B-17 pilot's self-sacrifice. Were this not a true story one could fancy Rockwell's Willie Gillis as the hero. 'Myriad', which Livgren originally wrote in 1970, contains all of his idiosyncrasies: introduction of several themes, lengthy detour through unsettling passages, and recapitulation of the opening ideas. It's a formula similar to what is heard on older songs like 'Apercu' ('74), 'Incomudro' ('75), and 'Hopelessly Human' ('77). 'Byzantium', the most unusual track on this disc, describes the downfall of the great medieval empire and may be an allusion to America's spiritual decline. The performances of the band on this project are inspiring - Steve Walsh renders some of his best vocals in over a decade, and Rich Williams' guitar leads have never sounded better. SOMEWHERE TO ELSEWHERE proves that the original Kansas is the best platform for expounding Livgren's range of musical ideas. A 'must have' album for old fans as well as those seeking a genuine alternative to 'alternative.'

I am an 80's convert to Kansas....I always liked the older classics such as "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry On My Wayward Son" but my musical tastes were more into the 80's hard rock scene and radio pop. I personally loved the album POWER, released in 1986. As I've gotten older (will be 39 in late 2009) I've found that while I like a lot of the newer music (Nickelback, Foo Fighters, Five For Fighting, etc.) I seem to be looking backwards to find new music that I really enjoy. As a result of this, I've discovered truly great music from Neil Diamond, Gordon Lightfoot, The Moody Blues, and more.

I began looking around on Amazon to find music from older bands that I liked to see what releases I had missed over the years. I found some gems along the way, and the best one by far (in my opinion) is the 2000 release of "Somewhere To Elsewhere" by Kansas. If you liked "Power", you will love STE. I'm not an uber-fan of any band....I can't tell you the names of the founding members of any band with the possible exception of maybe Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.....but I know what I like.

This album is to me what I call a "concept album", or in my own terms, one that tells a story. This is one of those rare start-to-finish albums that you can put the headphones on and lay back in the recliner and when you're done, you feel like you've just experienced something, not just listened to a performance. From the music, the band seems to not only recognize that they have aged, but they embrace it. This is artfully demonstrated on the beautifully arranged "The Coming Dawn". "Byzantium" is another of my favorites, along with "Look At The Time" which I (and others who have reviewed it) find to be a very Beatles-inspired sound. "Icarus II", the opening track, starts out subtlely and expands into a hard-rock frenzy.

I give this album five stars....maybe I'm being generous, but after listening to it, I remembered why music used to mean so much to me and I had lost that over time. This album touched me, and I hope everyone else who loves music will give it a chance to touch them.

It's less than 30 seconds into this cd when the listener realizes that Kansas has returned. The strange thing is that to the casual listener, he or she may be surprised to find out that Kansas never really left us. But in the past twenty years the band has gone through several incarnations with members using a revolving door approach to the band. Here it is the year 2000 and the original 6 members of Kansas have finally reunited, along with Billy Greer who has been in the band since 1986, to record 'Somewhere to Elsewhere'.

And what have they accomplished?

Kansas has finally recorded what should have been the follow-up to their multi-platinum albums 'Leftoverture' and 'Point of Know Return'. It might have taken twenty years but this album was worth the wait. If you are a Kansas fan, think back to what you felt when you first heard songs such as 'The Pinnacle' or 'Closet Chronicles'. Now come back to today and you will find yourself doing the same thing when listening to songs such as 'Icarus II' and 'Distant Vision'. Each and every song has that classic Kansas sound. Don't get me wrong, this album doesn't sound old. It's Kansas doing what they should be in 2000.

Steve Walsh hasn't sounded this good in over ten years, and neither has the band. This album is both for the band and the fans, both of which have been waiting for material like this for a long, long time.

'Somewhere to Elsewhere' shows that it was worth the wait.

I have been a Kansas fan since 1975 and this CD is a real treat! It's nice to see Kerry doing all of the lyrics for this effort. I love "when the world was young."Buy it and you'll enjoy it, but don't waite for it on the radio because radio is not hip enough for this classic rock and roll band. This is a true classic from one of classic rocks' great bands