Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Kansas
Label: Magna Carta
Released: 2000
Length: 68:09
Rating: 4/5
Plenty of rock veterans dream of getting back together at least once more before their careers wrap up, in the original or most beloved lineup, provided, of course, that every member of the original or classic lineup is still alive and kicking. American prog-rock heavyweights Kansas got that reunion of the classic lineup in 2000, the one that recorded the biggest classics in the history of this legendary band between 1970 and 1980 (up to the album »Audio-Visions« (1980)). The fruit of this rather unexpected reunion was their fourteenth studio album, »Somewhere to Elsewhere«, which, as expected, wasn’t on par with their masterpieces from the 1970s, but still pleasantly surprised many people who figured that vocalist/occasional keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren, one-eyed guitarist Rich Williams, violinist Robby Steinhardt, drummer Phil Ehart and both bassists, Dave Hope and Billy Greer (the latter earned the right to join the original members in the lineup), wouldn’t be able to catch even a sliver of the magic of their golden years.
Those ‘fans’ had probably forgotten about Livgren’s songwriting chops by then. Kerry single-handedly wrote and produced all of the »Somewhere to Elsewhere« material, played all the keyboards, and even tried his hand at lead vocals on the hidden satirical track »Geodesic Dome«, less than two minutes long, tucked away at the very end of the album. That let Walsh focus purely on singing, with a little help from Steinhardt, who handled lead vocals on three tracks, while Greer took the main mic on one composition. The album cover wasn’t up to the high standards of the seventies, but it at least stirred up a certain amount of nostalgia.
The album’s biggest strength is that the songs lodge themselves in your ear incredibly well and the whole thing flies by in a blink. There are no dull moments, even though no track except »Myriad« and the opening »Icarus II«, a sequel to the classic »Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel«, really stands out from the ‘golden mean’. »Icarus II« has practically the same central motif as its predecessor from the album »Masque« (1975). Already during this track it’s clear that all the key Kansas virtues are back with a vengeance: fantastic symphonic arrangements with an emphasis on sophisticated string passages, outstanding vocal harmonies of the kind only the classic incarnation of the band could conjure up, and punchy guitar work on par with the best hard rock. »When the World Was Young« is a nostalgia-stirring piece with a rousing chorus that this time around is closer to hard rock than prog, which is true of a few more numbers on this album.
On »Grand Fun Alley« Steinhardt takes over the lead vocal baton, while on the symphonic treat »The Coming Dawn (Thanatopsis)«, which at times strongly recalls some of the achievements of the golden years, Walsh shines once again. By this stage of his career his voice was already a little worn, but he still sang with incredible fire and unbelievable energy. The previously mentioned »Myriad«, which at times, with its pompous chorus, mighty symphonic arrangements and complex guitar passages, sounds like it was made in the mid-seventies, is one of the album’s highlights, the moment when the classic Kansas magic burns brightest. A short, atypical, ‘Yes-like’ interlude with slick vocal harmonies comes off a bit goofy, but still settles in nicely within the slightly jazz-spiced structure of this splendid piece. On »Look at the Time« Greer takes the lead vocals, and he’s one of the people most responsible for Kansas still being active today.
Two tracks follow where Steinhardt again takes the lead vocals – »Disappearing Skin Tight Blues« and »Distant Vision«. The first has an interesting, ‘Beatles-style’ chorus that sits surprisingly well on top of a bluesy riff, while »Distant Vision« has brilliant instrumental sections and at times comes very close to the unforgettable evergreen »Cheyenne Anthem« from »Leftoverture« (1976). »Byzantium« sounds like a church aria in its opening and closing parts, but most of the time it’s pompous symphonic prog rock with hard rock elements. »Not Man Big« is a somewhat underwhelming closer for a legendary prog band like Kansas, since it’s an average hard rocker with funk touches that would suit someone like Deep Purple better, and as such it’s the least interesting piece on the album.
»Somewhere to Elsewhere«, a very decent effort overall and close to the standards of the seventies, was long considered the last Kansas studio album, until word got out that the latest version of Kansas, with Wiiliams and Ehart the only original members left, is recording an album called »The Prelude Implicit«, due out in September 2016. Meanwhile, the faithful devoutly hope it will be better than the Kansas side project Native Window and their self-titled album from 2009, and at least roughly on the level of »Somewhere to Elsewhere«. The devout Christians Livgren and Hope (again) left their bandmates soon after »Somewhere to Elsewhere« came out, though Kerry kept working with Kansas for a while as a guest at their shows. After that he devoted himself to his Kansas ‘proto-band’ Proto-Kaw, until an insidious illness stopped him from playing guitar and keyboards, which cut his musical activity back sharply. Steinhardt lasted with Kansas until 2006, when he was replaced once more, this time by David Ragsdale.
Lineup
Steve Walsh – lead vocals, backing vocals
Kerry Livgren – guitar, keyboards, lead vocals (11)
Robby Steinhardt – violin, viola, backing vocals, lead vocals (3, 7 and 8)
Rich Williams – guitar
Dave Hope – bass guitar (2, 6)
Billy Greer – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (6)
Phil Ehart – drums
Production
Kerry Livgren
Track list
1. Icarus II (7:17)
2. When the World Was Young (5:50)
3. Grand Fun Alley (4:38)
4. The Coming Dawn (Thanatopsis) (5:44)
5. Myriad (8:55)
6. Look at the Time (5:37)
7. Disappearing Skin Tight Blues” – 7:02
8. Distant Vision” – 8:48
9. Byzantium (4:15)
10. Not Man Big (8:49)
11. Geodesic Dome” (Hidden track) (1:24)
