Mr. Mike's Highschool Record Collection: Kansas - Power

Dorothy I don't think we're in-I'm gonna stop, that line's been overdone for decades. How about "I am Iron Man!". Yeah, that's a little better.

In 1986 Kansas found themselves in a curious position. After becoming a headlining act in the mid to late 70's on the strength of songs like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Point Of Know Return", half the band became born again Christians which seemed to cause the group to splinter. After years of writing spiritually questioning slightly progressive AOR songs (not to mention the athiestic "Dust In The Wind") the change in focus resulted in some members, lead vocalist Steve Walsh in particular, leaving. The band carried on with new Christian members including singer John Elefante to carry on into the 80's with less success.

By the mid 80's, Kansas was no more which left the door open for Steve Walsh to return. Choosing a mix of older members (drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Richard Williams) and new members (bassist Billy Greer and ex-Dixie Dregs guitarist Steve Morse) revitalized the band. Though departing band leader Kerry Livgren wrote the bulk of the previous material, Walsh teamed up with Morse to write most of Power. Kansas retained some of their proggish tendencies (but not the violin player!) but were mainly driven by Morse's scorching guitar runs and Walsh's rock star yelping. I don't think I've really played this album in years, so this is gonna be fun.

1. Silhouettes In Disguise - The album gets off to a fast start with some potent hard rock. Steve Morse earns his keep right off by tearing up the fret board. A great opener for the album and a fine representative of the new approach: use fancy lyrics to throw people off the fact that they aren't as intellectual as Livgren's while barreling ahead with a more straightforward sound. Listen to the guitar solo at the end of the track, you will be sold (or as Kathi Lee Cook said to Simon Cowell last week "You know I can blow you out of your socks." Simon gleamed like the cheeky bastard he is. You cheeky bastard!)

2. Power - This was the second single from the album, it landed with a thud on the charts and sank like a stone. I had a friend who liked this song just because they chanted "Power!" over and over. Still, it was a great tune and like the song says, it takes Power to back up the things you say.

3. All I Wanted - The lead single was this straightforward ballad, a Top 20 single no less! Not terribly distinguishable from say a Toto ballad or a Chicago ballad, it was still a fine tune and still sticks with me 20 years later. Love those synth flourishes!

4. Secret Service - Things get a little more proggy with this cut, never was a big fan of this song. "Secret Service"? Naming a song after a government agency isn't all that great an idea (why not the Smithsonian for example? Smithsonian Service...Smithsonian Service...lame!)

5. We're Not Alone Anymore - Kansas removes the breakables from the studio again to lay down another fierce cut (Tyra says be fierce). Cool rapid fire drums and an almost Satriani-ish guitar sound pumps up this breakout rocker.
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6. Musicatto - Walsh proves he was paying attention in the 70's as Kansas plays a superb instrumental to showcase their virtuosity.

7. Taking In The View - The second side of the album lays the faux self introspection on a little thicker, as this folksy ditty about finding your special place (no, not THAT-man you're nasty!) gets all "Dust In The Wind" on us. Not bad for what it is though.

8. Three Pretenders - The big empty lyrics continue with this fine rock cut, very 80's AOR except you never figure out who the Three Pretenders are. Chrissie Hynde? Naw, that's just one.

9. Tomb 19 - "Take The Treasures of Tomb 19 / Let The Curse Remind You". Writing songs about tombs and pyramids...somebody's reachin'. Another fine song if you don't think too hard.

10. Can't Cry Anymore - A nice big ballad to close out the record, a slow stepping piece of big drama. The third single from Power, the video featured Richard Beltzer (Law and Order SUV) and a great vocal from Walsh. Or is that Law & Order SVU? I always get it confused, it's the show with ICE-T on it too. Maybe ICE T should remake this song, "I just can't cry anymore / so I busted a cap in your ass."

Kansas continued (Carried on their Wayward Way?) afterwards but I stopped following after this record (my point of know return?). Power was as close as Kansas ever got to a comeback, though it will mainly be remembered as their best contribution to Adult Contemporary ("All I Wanted"). One of the first tapes I bought after starting college, this album will always remind me of that feeling of independence. 'Cause it takes Power!