This is the definitive
Kansas
recording and includes their most famous tune,
"Dust in the Wind."
The band is in peak form and also churned out the single
"Point of Know Return,"
which is still played daily on classic
rock
stations. While their
pop
-oriented approach and standard
guitar sound helped define the classic
sound of the '70s, careful listening reveals that this band's talent goes beyond colleagues such as
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
and
Boston
. Their arrangements and time signatures more accurately reflect the music of
Yes
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
.
"Paradox"
"The Spider"
are both excellent examples of their progressive approach. Unfortunately, the band always struggled to maintain a healthy balance of progression combined with
. That made for such awkward moments here as
"Portrait (He Knew)"
"Lightning's Hand."
Yet despite the minor inconsistencies and a dated sound, their interplay and superior musicianship make this both an essential classic
progressive rock
recording. ~ Robert Taylor