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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kansas's return to Power, February 25, 2004
Three years after Kansas's dissolution, original members Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart, and Richard Williams reformed by recruiting some new members. The result was Power, which was more suited to the 80's sound prevalent then, with more in common to Journey and Survivor's style rather than the days of "Dust In The Wind" or "Point of No Return."The first single, "All I Wanted" was comparable to a mid-tempo Journey yearning love song laced with keyboards and pop sensibilities. It made the charts and the video led to a brief second wind. However, songs like the racing "Silhouettes In Disguise," featuring riveting guitarwork shows Kansas still a force to be reckoned with, despite the semblance to Journey. The title track and one of the singles tells how power can be used for self-affirmation and liberation instead of fortune and pride. Survivor could have fun with this song. Orchestra warmups are heard in the beginning of "Secret Service." The steady drumbeat, pulsing bass, and multiple backing vocals make this more a Foreigner-type song, a cousin to "Jukebox Hero." And there is some orchestra work used here. A Boston-like guitar opens and his heard throughout "We're Not Alone Anymore" and there is a slight throwback to their earlier sound. "Musicatto" is an insistent instrumental drums and keyboard fills heralding the art-rock feel of the 1970's and the three serious thematic songs that follow. "Taking In The View" is an acoustic number about how the young embody progress, different POVs, and push the envelope of generation. "Three Pretenders" is more harder-edged with Survivor riffs. Childhood skepticism, personal integrity, and the call to adventure are what the protagonist is fighting to keep against the title characters. And "Tomb 19" is about the treasure-filled tomb of a Mayan king and the curse that await those who try to rob it has a Sodom and Gomorrah-like motif: "take the treasures of Tomb 19 but never look behind you." The final song and second single, "Can't Cry Anymore," is a Survivor-type ballad with synth fills that grow in power with each chorus repeat. One of my favourite tracks. A laudable work from a 70's group trying for a second wind in the synth-oriented 80's. Much of it sounds like Journey or Survivor, but it's not second-rate.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Hear The Power", May 19, 2005
Kansas "Power" is full of really Good Music !! Early fans of Kansas will want to dismiss it. But they are wrong !!
Kansas is and always will be Kansas. No matter what line up they use. Steve Morse was a solid replacement for Livgren and it can easily be heard. Combine his talents with the likes of Ehart,Williams,Greer and Walsh and you have "Power"!!
Speaking of Steve Walsh, I want to say that in my humble opinion he is by far one of the best vocalist in Progressive Rock. He is very underated. The same could be said of drummer Phil Ehart who is a technical wizard behind his kit.
Phil Ehart is the executive producer behind this album which was recorded at the Castle "Franklin Tennesse" in 1986. The London Philharmonic parts were recorded at the famous Abbey Road studios. This Cd has been digitally remastered and provides the finest in audio quality. So "Play It Loud" for full effect.
The cover art is also worth a mention. It is stupendous !!
The song writing credits go to both Walsh and Morse who collaborate wonderfully. Lyrically speaking, Kansas knows the importance of combining Great lyrics about Life and Life situations with musical mastery.
The Powerful opening track:
Silhouettes In Disguise -- fast hard rocker. Driving guitar,bass and drums. A catchy sing along chorus and Walsh's trademark keyboards. A Morse speed metal guitar solo included.
Power -- I love the lyrics to this one along with the catchy chorus. Walsh delivers fine vocals and Phil Ehart backs him up with some tasty drum fills.
All I Wanted -- a typical Kansas Ballad. Excellent vocals !! The keyboard arrangements enhance the orchestral feel to this song.
Secret Service -- {my least favorite} gives off a very robotic vibe due in large part to the electric sounding drums and musical phrasing. You can hear the stomping bass and keyboard patterns of a robot on the prowl for our very souls. Is it the secret service ? Out to get us "Beware"!!
Were Not Alone Anymore -- Heavy Steve Morse influence. Fast uptempo progressive rock shuffle. Featuring great thumping bass guitar patterns,dynamic drumming and fast furious guitars.
Musicato -- an instrumental that starts with a drum cadence style roll pattern added to some matching keyboards and bass. Phil Ehart gives us a taste of his double bass drum technique. Bass guitar is awesome. This song also features lots of intricate breaks and musical interlude passages.
Taking In The View -- a beautiful song with lovely acoustic guitars and a boys choir trio in the middle section of the song. There is a free flowing mix of emotion within.
Three Pretenders -- another Kansas power hitter. Williams is showcased with his excellent rhythmic chord strumming. Morse offers us his version of a fast explosive guitar solo. Very good background vocals.
Tomb 19 -- straight ahead rocker with a commercial flare to it. This should have recieved some air play. Bassist Greer cuts loose with some creative octave style fingering. Check out Eharts ride cymbal pattern and he also provides the ending with impressive drum fills.
Cant Cry Anymore -- a Kansas style ballad with Walsh at the helm.
A sad song about broken relationships. Walsh's heartfelt vocals let us know that nobodys to blame, it just happens. The Philharmonic orchestra completes this finale.
Sometimes we all just "Cant Cry Anymore"
It's got power and feeling. Kansas " POWER "
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kansas - Steve Walsh And Steve Morse Together With Excellent Results, June 26, 2007
Kansas for all practical purposes disbanded in 1984. After spending several years in the band Streets, original vocalist / keyboardist Steve Walsh decided to come back to the fold and a new Kansas was born. Original members Walsh, Guitarist Rich Williams, and drummer Phil Eheart were augmented by bassist Billy Greer and legendary guitarist Steve Morse. For me "Power" is one of Kansas most underrated albums. I have always really liked it, and I think it still holds up well today. With Kerry Livgren out of the picture Kansas had definitely become Steve Walsh's band and it is reflected in the overall heavier writing style that Walsh had been using in Streets. Steve Morse absolutely kills on guitar throughout the album and the rest of the band is all in fine form. Most of the songs are short, but they are all well written, and band does throw in a progressive rock bone with the great little instrumental "Musicatto". "All I Wanted" was the single from the album that actually cracked the top 20 and got a lot of MTV airplay. Still, the album did not sell all that well and the second single "Can't Cry Anymore" charted briefly and then dropped out of sight. Speaking of "Cant Cry Anymore" this is another one of those songs that came along at a perfect time in my life. I was going through the breakup of a relationship and could have literally written the lyrics for this one myself. It is a great power ballad that really shows off Walsh's voice. Really, I think every song on this album is good and to me this is a must own Kansas disc, and was a great artistic comeback for the band at the time.
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