Customer Reviews

Time Line

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard Timeline when a local DJ played the entire album on the air. He prefaced the feature by stating that Livgren's latest offering was "interesting." That was an understatement. Timeline moves beyond amorphous spiritual imagery to a valiant and articulate declaration of faith. While Livgren's evangelical fervor pervades the CD, Timeline avoids being trite or doctrinaire. Musically the CD is somewhat of a departure from Kansas. The seventies arena sound guitar riffs have given way to a more refined and nuanced approach. Lyrically Livgren has shifted from his previous spiritual search to a resolute Christ Credo. The first two cuts "Timeline" and "Tonight" explore the dynamics of those on the threshold of conversion, though from different angles. My personal favorite is the deeply moving and upbeat "High on a Hill," an evangelistic appeal for the spiritual seeker: "Look on high/to a hill/to a place where time stood still." The final cut is the sober "Welcome to the War," an edgy song with more than a hint of polemicism. While the stark tenor of this cut may offend some listeners, one must admire Livgren's courage for bucking the almighty tide of postmodernity. By any standards Timeline is a classic and is still great to listen to. However, if one compares his work with that of his CCM counterparts, Timeline is sui generis.

This album takes a look at life from many directions. High on a Hill depicts life where it began,the crusifiction of our Savior. At the other end of the spectrum Beyond the Pale gives and outstanding view of life after the first death where all is at peace and to quote the song "the lion lies down with the lamb." The rest of the album hits various topics between the two. This is one to experience.

The average music fan will probably know Livgren best as the writer of Kansas classics like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind", songs illustrating a quest for spiritual fulfillment. On this his 2nd CD apart from Kansas, Livgren has arrived at a destination in his soul's journey and shares it with his fans.

This is definitely not the 70s Kansas sound, it's 80s rock instead with progressive touches here and there, more akin to late period Kansas than their 70s material. Livgren is joined by Michael Gleason (lead vocals,keys,percussion), Warren Ham (lead vocals,woodwinds, harmonica), Dave Hope (bass) and Dennis Holt (drums,percussion) and unlike his first CD "Seeds of Change", this combo has synthesized into a true group, with Gleason aiding Livgren on songwriting chores ("Beyond the Pale","New Age Blues" and "Make or Break It"). The music is tight and crisp throughout.

The title track places Livgren as an observer to the seeker this time, reminding "as you peer in the distance, the future's waiting".

It's on "Tonight", one of the best cuts, that he takes the same seeker into a conversion experience...perfectly capturing the glee of seeing life through completely new eyes. It's married to an infectious dancing melody that evokes the wonder of a complete paradigm shift.

Other highpoints include the strutting "New Age Blues" (abetted by able harmonica from Warren Ham), the plea for patience as a new believer struggles along to sanctification in "Beyond the Pale", his critique of hedonism in "Slow Motion Suicide" and the "choose your side" manifesto of "Welcome to the War".

Less successful are "Life Undercover", based on the tired cliche of "Sunday Christians, Monday morning sinners", and "Take Us to the Water" which blunts its impact through 'insider lingo' that some have nicknamed "Christianese" (for those who may not get the symbolism, it's a reference to Jesus' offer to give those who follow him "living water" for their souls...)

As a landmark in the history of Christian rock, this release can't be overestimated. AD would go on to higher heights with their next release and the industry as a whole would be forced to pursue better artistry to meet the mark Livgren hits here.

Livgren and his band AD produce a remarkable sound on this and their other albums. With 2 different and superb vocalists to write for and co-write with, he shows the not only the versatility that made Kansas such a huge sucess, but has even grown beyond the Kansas sound into more textures and styles, without losing some of his wonderful keyboard and guitar signatures. The depth of the lyrics looking at life and God only add to the enjoyment of a unique album experience. Bought it on vinyl years ago, still one of my all time favorites.

One of my all-time favorites. No other artist than Kansas with Kerry Livgren ever brought Christianity to millions of music fans without their knowing that it was the Message they were listening to. With AD/Time Line, Kerry Livgren continues to help us understand the positive power of God, and the negative influence a lack of faith has on our daily lives.

an incredible album every song cuts to the core you will feel the power of god in this album whether you go to church or not!!!!

This album demonstrates Kerry Livgren's masterful songwriting talent. In a departure from the "Kansas sound", Livgren explores new musical territory, while continuing to give voice to his Christian spirituality. If you're a fan of rock music artistry, you must get this album. It will definately reach out and touch your soul.

In terms of progressive rock, IMO this album is one of the best EVER, both musically and in terms of vocal talent, Christian or otherwise. Warren Ham's and Gleason's vocals absolutely soar in places, and the whole thing is full of a musical enthusiasm, variation, and energy rarely heard. It sounds a little dated in some places now, naturally, but it really is a classic. If you like this style and era of music, you can't go wrong with Livgren's material from this period.

The music on this album sounds nothing like Kansas, nor for that matter like Kerry Livgren's first solo album _Seeds of Change_. _Time Line_ is pure 80's rock a-la bands like Survivor and Night Ranger, with little of the progressive rock direction that Livgren brought to Kansas during the 70's. While some of the music here is pretty good, it isn't great; the symphonic element that made Kansas such a great band is gone. The lyrics here are also problematic. Unlike the Christian lyrics on _Seeds of Change_, which reflect mainstream Christianity and the excitement of a new convert in a positive, uplifting manner, the lyrics here are of a more negative, oppositional nature and veer into Christian Reconstructionist sentiments all too often, with jabs taken at the "secular" media and the New Age movement. The vocals on this album are performed by Warren Ham, who was the vocalist on the last two albums by the early 70's band Bloodrock.

Kerry Livgren has certainly proved that he is a talented writer as well as being a versatile musician. I have seen Kansas a few times and was always impressed by his quality of playing live. I was sorry to see him split from the band but he hasn't lost a single step. The writing is still quality and he has surrounded himself with top notch players. The only thing missing was Steve Walsh's vocal ability. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this to any music lover.