1. Monolith 2. Leftoverture 3. Masque 4. In the Spirit of Things - underrated 5. Song for America 6. Kansas 7. Point of Know Return - don't know why this one never hit me as hard So good, what a band and what a history of great music!
Leftoverture came out when I was in 6th grade, my brother was playing it and I walked in the door from baseball practice. I stopped dead in my tracks to hear Miracles out of nowhere for the first time. So blown away, I became a drummer because of Phil Ehart
Their live double album "Two For The Show" is a masterpiece of brilliant production and polished performances. They performed most of their best songs since it has 2 discs. IMO One of the best live albums ever done.
Kansas is a band that sounds every bit as great live as they do in the studio. And no overdubbing or autotuning. What they play is what you get on the recording. A group of amazing musicians and a fabulous prog songwriter in Kerry Livgren. Obviously my favorite band. And I love Kerry's post-Kansas work too. Has his own state of the art studio & does all his own production work.
Living here in Kansas it's two thumbs up I'm 54 years old and this band changed my world probably still in the top five American rock bands of all time guaranteed
When you put out an album as good as Kansas for your first album, you know you are one hell of band. I mean, having three epics like Journey From Mariabronn, Aperçu and Death Of Mother Nature Suite on your debut is...mind-blowing:) and the other songs are top notch as well.
I frankly think Kansas, Song For America, Masque, Leftoverture, all compete for #1, with Point of Know Return, Monolith trailing slightly. AudioVisions was showing the cracks already.
Just listened to leftoverture for the first time tonight and frankly my first ever kansas album ive listened too, never heard any other songs before this except carry on wayward son and dust in the wind, i give it a 9.5/10, it was that good
I have tried hard to like Kansas....but ...apart from one or two songs their music does nothing for me...they just cut the mustard when compared to other prog bands eg Yes Genesis...believe me I have listened but it just does not happen......
Fantastic job ranking Kansas albums. Almost spot on with mine... I agree with you that any given week the order could vary slightly. I don't think we will ever see another group of musicians work so wonderfully together!
Good for you Paul W ! Right now as i text you there is this 1 song that has got me so high that i just keep hitting rewind to listen to it over & over its the 3rd song on LEFTOVERTURE " What's on my mind " Amazing song
Monolith is woefully underrated. Leftoverture is a masterpiece, but I’ve always ranked Monolith pretty high. 1.) Leftoverture 2.) Point Of Know Return 3.) Monolith 4.) Masque 5.) Audio Visions
Long Time Kansas fan here...fantastic band with so many great songs...well crafted songs with deep thought-provoking lyrics...excellent musicians...and top notch vocals from Steve Walsh & Robby Steinhardt - two of the best vocalists of the classic rock age. This was hard, but this is how I ranked their first 10 albums... 1. Point of Know Return 2. Leftoverture 3. Masque 4. Kansas 5. Song for America 6. Monolith 7. Audio-Visions 8. Vinyl Confessions 9. Drastic Measures 10. Power I'm also a big fan of Kerry Livgren and his band AD 1983 - 1988 and all his solo work. Also, you should check out, if you haven't heard, Kerry Livgren's ''Seeds Of Change'' - his first solo album that features two songs with Ronnie James Dio - also featuring guest appearances by Kansas members: Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart and Robby Steinhardt & members of LeRoux, Jethro Tull, Ambrosia, and Atlanta Rhythm Section. (Released in 1980) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeds_of_Change_(album)
Windows from Vinyl Confessions is a great, overlooked slab of proggy hard rock. It is in my top 5 Kansas tunes. Mainstream is a big highlight from Drastic Measures, as well.
If "Song For America" was the only song on the entire SFA album... it would STILL be their finest work. I still drop to my knees in tears when I hear it. Most. Epic. Ever.
Exactly a year has passed and yes, the new album 'Absence Of Presence' is out.....and it is a beauty! Interesting list and your Kansas knowledge is impressive. Enjoyed this.
Miracles Out of Nowhere...when I discovered that song in the late ‘90s, I was simply floored. It is the perfect song...I remember standing outside my truck out in the country with the song blasting, working to sing Steve’s high notes. Even though I’m mainly a guitar player and singer, I learned how to play Phil’s drum part in the breakdown of that song...proggy, but approachable, and simply fun to play.
1) Leftoverture 2) Point of Know Return 3) Kansas 4) Song for America 5) Masque 6) Monolith 7) Audio-Visions 8) Power 9) Freaks of Nature 10) Somewhere to Elsewhere 11) The Prelude Implicit 12) In the Spirit of Things 13) Vinyl Confessions 14) Drastic Measures
Great as always! Slightly off topic but still applicable - I have an interesting thought on the incredibly eerie similarity of the paths shared by Kansas and Rush in their first few years as recording artists. Check it! 1 - Both bands toured relentlessly throughout the 70's and still managed to average an album a year throughout that time. 2 - Both bands self titled debut albums where released early in 74 3 - Both bands released their sophomore efforts within a month of each other in early 75, both featuring predatory birds flying straight at you in a nighttime landscape (Fly by Night, Song for America) 4 - Both bands released their third albums later that year (again within about a month of each other) and both of those albums where considered to be darker, more obscure albums. The kind of albums that only hard core fans of the band would own. And yes, both album covers where visually darker :) 5 - Both bands released what would be their breakout albums (2112, Leftoverture) in early 76
Yes, i thought of that aswell. I would ssy Kansas wins in terms of the 1st 4 albums. Much stronger than Rush. But then Rush ruled the 80's and just got better, while Kansas just crumbled.
i was 16 when Leftoverture same out... listened to it all summer of '76....will never forget how those songs shaped me and the way the sun shone upon that youthful time!! always number ONE! I did see them for the monolith tour in july '79 !
In The Spirit Of Things is actually my favorite. Steve Walsh said he thought it was their best album as well. You left off Always Never The Same from the list and it belongs there because it does introduce some new material and the added orchestral arrangements by Larry Baird were amazing. It has my favorite version of Song For America on it.
I Loved your ranking of Kansas and your Queen . I Saw Queen for the Sheer Heart Attack tour at the Capitol theater ,NJ and Kansas opened up for them .Song for America had just come out . Kansas was incredible as was Queen. It's was actually a triple bill the original Argent ( Hold your head up ) opened for Kansas. They don't make concerts like that anymore and I probably paid about 20 dollars for the ticket . 😃👍
Finally !! My #4 favorite band of all time. Here goes ….. 1.Masque 2. Leftoverture 3. Kansas 4.Song For America 5. Monolith 6. Point of Know Return 7. Audio Visions 8.Power 9. Freaks of Nature 10. Vinyl Confessions 11. Somewhere to Elsewhere 12. In the Spirit of Things 13. The Prelude Implicit 14.Drastic Measures
PETE- awesome show. My second concert in NYC. 1980. Just my opinion. I like the ranking of Albums better than individual songs. Maybe because I have trouble grabbing Only ten songs. But/ just my opinion. Another tremendous show. I m loving these Album rankings.
Going back to your TOTO episode yesterday/ I remember in 1982 when Walsh left : they held auditions and Fergie Frederiksen tried out but did not get the gig.
My older sisters actually got me into Kansas through the Elefante albums, so they hold a really special place for me. Everything that you said about them is true, but I have spent so much time with them that they rank a bit higher for me. "Leftoverture" is probably my favorite, though. I saw them a couple of years ago and they still sounded great!
Aug 25th hopefully will be my 19th visit to Kansas! While my favs are the original 6’s albums,Prelude Fits right into the early works! Cannot wait for the new one!!
I love watching Pete's videos (always good!), but my favorite part is learning more about the albums that I missed or don't know quite as well. I loved Kansas (especially in the '70s) and had Left Overture, Point of Know Return, Monolith, and Audio-Visions in my constant rotation as a kid. I wasn't really familiar with Masque, but from the video and all the comments that followed, I was able to discover a really great album that I missed the first time around. Very cool... If you haven't done so already, check out the Kansas documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Really, really awesome!
Thank you doing this tribute to the albums of Kansas. I caught your top albums of all time video about a month ago (I was drawn to your channel as a die hard Blackmore fan looking for all kinds of content during quarantine) but when I saw you chose Leftoverture, it reminded me how much I enjoyed that album on my 8 track player back in the day. I had never checked out any of their other albums - still don’t know why to this day. Also I knew about Kerry Livgren, Robby, and the guy in the overalls, but until a month ago I did not know who Steve Walsh was at all. Since then I’ve become obsessed with the band and Steve’s incredible singing, organ playing, songwriting, and stage acrobatics. Thanks for reintroducing and deepening my relationship with this band and their great music.
I have gone through the first 8 albums twice now. Imo Kansas is the first neo prog band. I am surprised there would be any question about their prog credentials. When I listen to Modern neo prog and fusion I here elements of Kansas. Was a real eye opener. Great production, complexity and heavy rock.
Just started listening to Kansas and thought "where would be the best place to get a good review of their albums?" Mmmmm no brainer - cheers Pete superb as usual. Peace from Glasgow 🏴
I took a lot of heat in high school for liking Kansas. I've always stuck up for them. I'm glad to see that a rock aficionado/critic like yourself loves Kansas as well. 1. Leftoverture (this is my #2 favorite album of all time). 2. Song For America 3. Point of Know Return 4. Audio-Visions 5. Masque 6. Monolith
I like drastic measures and vinyl confessions. John has a hell of a voice I’m also a fan of power. Pretty poppy and just straight foward rock but still great
Saw them last fall, one of the best shows I've been to, hoping to see them again with Foreigner this summer. Kerry, Steve and Robbie may be gone, but they are still amazing live I would highly recommend
Love Kansas. Own all the studio albums and a few of the live albums. I enjoy them all, but I do have a preference for the early original 6 piece line up albums. My ranking of my top 10 favourites. 1 Leftoverture 2 Masque 3 Point of No Return 4. Monolith 5 Audio Visions 6 Song For America 7 Power 8 Kansas 9 in The Spirit of Things 10 Somewhere to Elsewhere These are my 10 favourites, but I like both the Elefante albums and the latest as well, just not as much as my top 10.
I thought you were right the first time in regards to Audio Visions. It was the last great album from Kansas. I love that album and it is indeed my favorite Kansas album. I used to crank side one and sing along in my room quite often when this came out. I originally had only Kansas' Greatest hits and Audio Visions. I was into greatest hits huge but, the albums they came from eluded me for a long time. There was so much new music coming out at that time and I was spending every dime I could scrape together to keep up with the burgeoning Neo-Classical scene and the Thrash Metal scene.
Who even listens to the radio anymore? I haven't listened to the radio in 20 years. There are so many great groups out there today that will never be played on the radio. As I always say the best music out there you will never find on the radio including Kansas. Yes they play their hits and that's about all they'll do staying within their limited confines and disappointing their fans. But that's radio.
@@gkirms I actually find a lot of new stuff on RUclips. Quite a few years ago MySpace was great with new music. But that site got ruined very fast. RUclips is much better all the time. I find new music on here all the time.
Great fucking band, good job on the picks. Here's my top ten. 1.Leftoverture 2.Point of Know Return 3.Masque 4.Song for America 5.Monolith 6.Kansas 7.Audio Visions 8.In the Spirit of Things 9.Vinyl Confessions 10.Power
Thanks. Pete to give Vinyl Confessions a good ranking. I love that album. Some Kansas albums are a bit to "nervous" and erratic for me. I am going to see their 50 Anniversary tour, cant wait.
Can't go wrong with your list. Personally like Song for America as my number one (second record I bought with my own money lol). I've also been on a Kansas "high". Flew in from Cali for the Beacon show. Was in my opinon one if the best shows I've seen in the last 5 years! Really believe their new record Absence of Presence is going to be special! Look forward to your review if that one. Really hope I get to see them in July if covid doesn't shut it down 😢. Keep up the good work Pete. "Got to Rock On"
You should do your top 10 most worn/favorite t-shirts, and least worn...everybody loves em🎼🎧🎼....great list...my top 3 are the same as yours!!...thats a first, lol!
Top top prog-rock band. Another of my best of all times. Unique style with awesome violin songs. My top three albums are: Leftoverture, Point of no Return, and Monolith.
Hey Pete. I am complete agreement. I have an emotional connection to Monolith - but considering their complete discography - I agree. I was able to see them last year in Seattle - and it was awesome.
I only started getting into a lot of bands such as Kansas over the last few years, but now im obsessed. So far, i gotta go with the self titled as my favorite, but i also love the following few almost as much. I believe i have everything (or close to) up to Power. Im told i dont need to go further than that, but of course I'm still curious.
I would love for you to do the artwork of Kansas covers because they're so unique and they remind me so much of Yes with thematic covers and use of color.
1.Left Overture 2.Masque (purely because of Icarus and Child of Innocence) 3.Point of Know Return 4.Monolith 5.Two for the Show 6.Audio Visions 7.Song for America 8.Vinyl Confessions 8.The Absence of Presence 9.Drastic Measures 10. Power
1. Monolith
2. Leftoverture
3. Masque
4. In the Spirit of Things - underrated
5. Song for America
6. Kansas
7. Point of Know Return - don't know why this one never hit me as hard
So good, what a band and what a history of great music!
Leftoverture came out when I was in 6th grade, my brother was playing it and I walked in the door from baseball practice. I stopped dead in my tracks to hear Miracles out of nowhere for the first time. So blown away, I became a drummer because of Phil Ehart
Their live double album "Two For The Show" is a masterpiece of brilliant production and polished performances. They performed most of their best songs since it has 2 discs. IMO One of the best live albums ever done.
It sounded amazing on the radio 40 years ago, and it's aged well. Agreed.
@Donald Duck Probably one of the greatest live album. But for sure, the best live album from any prog rock band !
Not just one of the best live albums
but
t h e b e s t ....
Kansas is a band that sounds every bit as great live as they do in the studio. And no overdubbing or autotuning. What they play is what you get on the recording. A group of amazing musicians and a fabulous prog songwriter in Kerry Livgren. Obviously my favorite band. And I love Kerry's post-Kansas work too. Has his own state of the art studio & does all his own production work.
Got that album on my Birthday
“Miracles out of nowhere” from Leftoverture is Must Hear music!
Yes it is, my favourite Kansas song.
The Whole Lefoverture album is magic
One of my races also. First time in heard the song was during a Kansas concert. Also loved the vocals and presence of Steinhart.
Song for America is incredible! I don't know why it isn't as well known. Genuinely mind boggling.
Certainly agree. Love that song completely, both in lyrics and the music, especially the long version, which is usually abridged in concert. A shame!!
My fave five:
5. Masque
4. Somewhere to Elsewhere
3. Point of Know Return
2. Song for America
1. Leftoverture
HM: Debut and Monolith
Living here in Kansas it's two thumbs up I'm 54 years old and this band changed my world probably still in the top five American rock bands of all time guaranteed
Their first 7 albums are absolute prog masterpieces and the first 3 are equally perfect
I love The Pinnacle so much that Masque is my top album, it's such a music masterpiece.
Me too! Masque would be my number one as well.
Masque #1 and Song For America coming in a strong second for me,
I agree! Mysteries and Mayhem just rocks!
I would go with 'Masque' as my number one. It was actually the first one that I owned. Still my favorite. Great cover art also!
Good to see some love for Kansas ! 👍
When you put out an album as good as Kansas for your first album, you know you are one hell of band. I mean, having three epics like Journey From Mariabronn, Aperçu and Death Of Mother Nature Suite on your debut is...mind-blowing:) and the other songs are top notch as well.
My first album I bought from Kansas was Power. Absolutely love that album.
Great album. All I Wanted should of been a bigger hit. Walsh once again steals the show.
I love Kansas Audio-Vision, Point of No Return, Leftoverture and their art covers! Your shirt rocks!🎤🎸🎵🥁
Great job with the ranking. Personally, Masque is my favorite.
song for america myself.
Walsh's vocals on Masque are unequaled
I also prefer Masque over all, maybe Song For America second, otherwise a good list
I frankly think Kansas, Song For America, Masque, Leftoverture, all compete for #1, with Point of Know Return, Monolith trailing slightly. AudioVisions was showing the cracks already.
yes !
Leftoverture is a once in a lifetime album.
Point of No Return is better but it’s indisputable that Leftoverture is right behind it
Just listened to leftoverture for the first time tonight and frankly my first ever kansas album ive listened too, never heard any other songs before this except carry on wayward son and dust in the wind, i give it a 9.5/10, it was that good
@Rob S Masque is much better IMHO.
I have tried hard to like Kansas....but ...apart from one or two songs their music does nothing for me...they just cut the mustard when compared to other prog bands eg Yes Genesis...believe me I have listened but it just does not happen......
Kentland no it isn't its just a commercial product!!!!!!
Fantastic job ranking Kansas albums. Almost spot on with mine... I agree with you that any given week the order could vary slightly. I don't think we will ever see another group of musicians work so wonderfully together!
Thank you for your ranking the studio albums of Kansas review! 🎤🎸🎵🥁
Only discovered this band last week and cannot stop listening to their debut album. Will get to the rest of theirs soon.
Good for you Paul W ! Right now as i text you there is this 1 song that has got me so high that i just keep hitting rewind to listen to it over & over its the 3rd song on LEFTOVERTURE " What's on my mind "
Amazing song
It's going to be a long journey to the Point of Know Return
leftoverture is a perfect album!
Monolith is woefully underrated. Leftoverture is a masterpiece, but I’ve always ranked Monolith pretty high.
1.) Leftoverture
2.) Point Of Know Return
3.) Monolith
4.) Masque
5.) Audio Visions
Me too! I like Monolith a lot, as well as Masque.
Very sensible choices love it
Masque was the first album I ever bought. Saw them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
I have to say I love in the spirit of things
Me too
great lyrics stunning guitar solos some of there best vocals and a great concept
Yo Kevin, is this the Kevin Moore of Dream Theater fame??
Kansas, the band that formed the same year and city I was born in. Topeka Kansas 1971.
first time we completely agree.. most exciting to guess along ! Great work Pete, thank you for this
Long Time Kansas fan here...fantastic band with so many great songs...well crafted songs with deep thought-provoking lyrics...excellent musicians...and top notch vocals from Steve Walsh & Robby Steinhardt - two of the best vocalists of the classic rock age.
This was hard, but this is how I ranked their first 10 albums...
1. Point of Know Return
2. Leftoverture
3. Masque
4. Kansas
5. Song for America
6. Monolith
7. Audio-Visions
8. Vinyl Confessions
9. Drastic Measures
10. Power
I'm also a big fan of Kerry Livgren and his band AD 1983 - 1988 and all his solo work.
Also, you should check out, if you haven't heard, Kerry Livgren's ''Seeds Of Change'' - his first solo album that features two songs with Ronnie James Dio - also featuring guest appearances by Kansas members: Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart and Robby Steinhardt & members of LeRoux, Jethro Tull, Ambrosia, and Atlanta Rhythm Section. (Released in 1980)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeds_of_Change_(album)
Love Seeds of Change
Their first four albums are all equally amazing to me
Windows from Vinyl Confessions is a great, overlooked slab of proggy hard rock. It is in my top 5 Kansas tunes. Mainstream is a big highlight from Drastic Measures, as well.
Man I love you choice of songs here... Loner is total discovery for me... That song is so influential ! Love you dude -> Best Regards!
Again I got into Kansas because of you Pete. Now I think how did I not get into these guys. Thanks so much.
If "Song For America" was the only song on the entire SFA album... it would STILL be their finest work. I still drop to my knees in tears when I hear it. Most. Epic. Ever.
Exactly a year has passed and yes, the new album 'Absence Of Presence' is out.....and it is a beauty! Interesting list and your Kansas knowledge is impressive. Enjoyed this.
Great ranking! Love this channel!
Miracles Out of Nowhere...when I discovered that song in the late ‘90s, I was simply floored. It is the perfect song...I remember standing outside my truck out in the country with the song blasting, working to sing Steve’s high notes. Even though I’m mainly a guitar player and singer, I learned how to play Phil’s drum part in the breakdown of that song...proggy, but approachable, and simply fun to play.
1) Leftoverture
2) Point of Know Return
3) Kansas
4) Song for America
5) Masque
6) Monolith
7) Audio-Visions
8) Power
9) Freaks of Nature
10) Somewhere to Elsewhere
11) The Prelude Implicit
12) In the Spirit of Things
13) Vinyl Confessions
14) Drastic Measures
Pete, another great show. I love Song for America as the top. My old man played the hell out of Point which got me into them. Great band!
Pete rocks! Love his reviews!
Great as always! Slightly off topic but still applicable - I have an interesting thought on the incredibly eerie similarity of the paths shared by Kansas and Rush in their first few years as recording artists. Check it!
1 - Both bands toured relentlessly throughout the 70's and still managed to average an album a year throughout that time.
2 - Both bands self titled debut albums where released early in 74
3 - Both bands released their sophomore efforts within a month of each other in early 75, both featuring predatory birds flying straight at you in a nighttime landscape (Fly by Night, Song for America)
4 - Both bands released their third albums later that year (again within about a month of each other) and both of those albums where considered to be darker, more obscure albums. The kind of albums that only hard core fans of the band would own. And yes, both album covers where visually darker :)
5 - Both bands released what would be their breakout albums (2112, Leftoverture) in early 76
Yes, i thought of that aswell. I would ssy Kansas wins in terms of the 1st 4 albums. Much stronger than Rush. But then Rush ruled the 80's and just got better, while Kansas just crumbled.
1. Kansas
2. Song for America
3. Point of know return
4. Masque
5. Leftoverture
6. Monolith
7. Audiovisions
Man that shirt is awesome. You nailed the top 5 each one is incredible.
You nailed it my Kansas brother! Been on them since the very first one. One of the very best ever!🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
i was 16 when Leftoverture same out... listened to it all summer of '76....will never forget how those songs shaped me and the way the sun shone upon that youthful time!! always number ONE! I did see them for the monolith tour in july '79 !
In The Spirit Of Things is actually my favorite. Steve Walsh said he thought it was their best album as well. You left off Always Never The Same from the list and it belongs there because it does introduce some new material and the added orchestral arrangements by Larry Baird were amazing. It has my favorite version of Song For America on it.
the absence of presence tops them all. i'd like to hear more like this.
Great review! This is awesome!
I Loved your ranking of Kansas and your Queen . I Saw Queen for the Sheer Heart Attack tour at the Capitol theater ,NJ and Kansas opened up for them .Song for America had just come out . Kansas was incredible as was Queen. It's was actually a triple bill the original Argent ( Hold your head up ) opened for Kansas. They don't make concerts like that anymore and I probably paid about 20 dollars for the ticket . 😃👍
Great list, thanks!
Finally !! My #4 favorite band of all time. Here goes ….. 1.Masque 2. Leftoverture 3. Kansas 4.Song For America 5. Monolith 6. Point of Know Return 7. Audio Visions 8.Power 9. Freaks of Nature 10. Vinyl Confessions 11. Somewhere to Elsewhere 12. In the Spirit of Things 13. The Prelude Implicit 14.Drastic Measures
PETE- awesome show. My second concert in NYC. 1980. Just my opinion. I like the ranking of Albums better than individual songs. Maybe because I have trouble grabbing Only ten songs. But/ just my opinion. Another tremendous show. I m loving these Album rankings.
Very good list sir.
Thanks for the video.i love Kansas.my top 10 is very close to yours.a few later albums I haven't heard but will check out.
Going back to your TOTO episode yesterday/ I remember in 1982 when Walsh left : they held auditions and Fergie Frederiksen tried out but did not get the gig.
My introduction to rock music as a kid. What a great band and sound. Unique and so good. My favorite.
1.) Monolith
2.) Left Overture
3.) Audio-visions
4.) Song for America
5.) Point of No Return
Top 5
Damn brother....the love is in your eyes for the band know as ........ KANSAS....amen!!!!
The debut is my favorite. Awesome symphonic prog
My older sisters actually got me into Kansas through the Elefante albums, so they hold a really special place for me. Everything that you said about them is true, but I have spent so much time with them that they rank a bit higher for me. "Leftoverture" is probably my favorite, though. I saw them a couple of years ago and they still sounded great!
Good job ranking this fantastic bands catalog.
“No One Together” is a HUGE favorite for me. You can hear that they still have their prog influences even on that album
My comment to him was to listen to that song again. He's forgotten. That song is so mega-mindblowing.
Kerry wrote some amazing material, but "No One Together" is one of his very best.
Aug 25th hopefully will be my 19th visit to Kansas! While my favs are the original 6’s albums,Prelude Fits right into the early works! Cannot wait for the new one!!
Pete, another great run down. Again learning about albums I didn’t know existed. Could you please do your top ten Jethro Tull albums ?
Great t-shirt!
Well done. Livgren is my songwriter hero. What an astonishing body of work. Ty for sharing your opinions.
I love watching Pete's videos (always good!), but my favorite part is learning more about the albums that I missed or don't know quite as well. I loved Kansas (especially in the '70s) and had Left Overture, Point of Know Return, Monolith, and Audio-Visions in my constant rotation as a kid. I wasn't really familiar with Masque, but from the video and all the comments that followed, I was able to discover a really great album that I missed the first time around. Very cool...
If you haven't done so already, check out the Kansas documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Really, really awesome!
Thank you doing this tribute to the albums of Kansas. I caught your top albums of all time video about a month ago (I was drawn to your channel as a die hard Blackmore fan looking for all kinds of content during quarantine) but when I saw you chose Leftoverture, it reminded me how much I enjoyed that album on my 8 track player back in the day. I had never checked out any of their other albums - still don’t know why to this day. Also I knew about Kerry Livgren, Robby, and the guy in the overalls, but until a month ago I did not know who Steve Walsh was at all. Since then I’ve become obsessed with the band and Steve’s incredible singing, organ playing, songwriting, and stage acrobatics. Thanks for reintroducing and deepening my relationship with this band and their great music.
Great video!
My top 5:
5 - Kansas
4 - Point of Know Return
3 - Masque
2 - Song for America
1 - Leftoverture
Awesome ranking! Totally agree!
Good show. Pretty much agree with the list.
Excellent stuff Pete!
1) Leftoverture
2) Point of no Return
3) A Song for America
4) Kansas
5) Masque
The 1st lp blew my mind completely when I 1st heard it. I was 18, still listen to it today!
I have gone through the first 8 albums twice now. Imo Kansas is the first neo prog band. I am surprised there would be any question about their prog credentials. When I listen to Modern neo prog and fusion I here elements of Kansas. Was a real eye opener. Great production, complexity and heavy rock.
That debut album. "Journey From Mariabronn" absolute killer!
Just started listening to Kansas and thought "where would be the best place to get a good review of their albums?" Mmmmm no brainer - cheers Pete superb as usual. Peace from Glasgow 🏴
I bought the "Power" album mainly because of the song "All I Wanted" loved that song back then. Good album though all together
That's funny! That is why I bought "Power" too!
I took a lot of heat in high school for liking Kansas. I've always stuck up for them. I'm glad to see that a rock aficionado/critic like yourself loves Kansas as well.
1. Leftoverture (this is my #2 favorite album of all time).
2. Song For America
3. Point of Know Return
4. Audio-Visions
5. Masque
6. Monolith
I like drastic measures and vinyl confessions. John has a hell of a voice I’m also a fan of power. Pretty poppy and just straight foward rock but still great
Saw them last fall, one of the best shows I've been to, hoping to see them again with Foreigner this summer. Kerry, Steve and Robbie may be gone, but they are still amazing live I would highly recommend
Love Kansas. Own all the studio albums and a few of the live albums. I enjoy them all, but I do have a preference for the early original 6 piece line up albums. My ranking of my top 10 favourites.
1 Leftoverture
2 Masque
3 Point of No Return
4. Monolith
5 Audio Visions
6 Song For America
7 Power
8 Kansas
9 in The Spirit of Things
10 Somewhere to Elsewhere
These are my 10 favourites, but I like both the Elefante albums and the latest as well, just not as much as my top 10.
Leftoveeture is clearly the ir worst album!!!
I thought you were right the first time in regards to Audio Visions. It was the last great album from Kansas. I love that album and it is indeed my favorite Kansas album. I used to crank side one and sing along in my room quite often when this came out. I originally had only Kansas' Greatest hits and Audio Visions. I was into greatest hits huge but, the albums they came from eluded me for a long time. There was so much new music coming out at that time and I was spending every dime I could scrape together to keep up with the burgeoning Neo-Classical scene and the Thrash Metal scene.
Nice singing dude... Loner!! 😀... Your videos are amazing... Hope for new once in the future
My top five:
1. Drastic Measures
2. Vinyl Confessions
3. Audio Visions
4. In The Spirit Of Things
5. Monolith
I just wish classic Rock Radio would play "Magnum Opus" more. All they play is Carry on Wayward Son. That song has been overplayed to death.
Who even listens to the radio anymore? I haven't listened to the radio in 20 years. There are so many great groups out there today that will never be played on the radio. As I always say the best music out there you will never find on the radio including Kansas. Yes they play their hits and that's about all they'll do staying within their limited confines and disappointing their fans. But that's radio.
@@gkirms I actually find a lot of new stuff on RUclips. Quite a few years ago MySpace was great with new music. But that site got ruined very fast. RUclips is much better all the time. I find new music on here all the time.
@@gkirms I could have written this comment, word for word.
Donald Kennedy agreed. That whole album is radio friendly.
Donald Kennedy yeah I’m sick of hearing Carry On Wayward Son, play something else lol.
Great fucking band, good job on the picks. Here's my top ten.
1.Leftoverture
2.Point of Know Return
3.Masque
4.Song for America
5.Monolith
6.Kansas
7.Audio Visions
8.In the Spirit of Things
9.Vinyl Confessions
10.Power
Going to see them in March!
Love your list Pete! It's spot-on. 'Leftoverture' is such a masterpiece... how can you not rank that timeless gem #1?
AudiophileTubes point of know return
Thanks. Pete to give Vinyl Confessions a good ranking. I love that album. Some Kansas albums are a bit to "nervous" and erratic for me. I am going to see their 50 Anniversary tour, cant wait.
Great ordering! Leftoverture comes out on top for me as well.
I love how when you do these album rankings, the ones at the bottom always have "some strong tracks."
Prelude Implicit was the first Kansas album I purchased. Love that album.
Song: Play the Game Tonight ( turn up the volume ) on that one !!! As far as Album = Leftoverture was their Masterpiece.
Can't go wrong with your list. Personally like Song for America as my number one (second record I bought with my own money lol). I've also been on a Kansas "high". Flew in from Cali for the Beacon show. Was in my opinon one if the best shows I've seen in the last 5 years!
Really believe their new record Absence of Presence is going to be special! Look forward to your review if that one.
Really hope I get to see them in July if covid doesn't shut it down 😢. Keep up the good work Pete. "Got to Rock On"
You should do your top 10 most worn/favorite t-shirts, and least worn...everybody loves em🎼🎧🎼....great list...my top 3 are the same as yours!!...thats a first, lol!
Top top prog-rock band. Another of my best of all times. Unique style with awesome violin songs. My top three albums are: Leftoverture, Point of no Return, and Monolith.
When I saw Kansas back in May the started with People of the South Wind
One of my 3 favorite Kansas songs!
People of the southwind was too short!!! I want to be at least 8 minutes.
And allso...steve wallsh is one of the best rock vocalist of all times.
Like your KANSAS t-shirt, Pete !!
Hey Pete. I am complete agreement. I have an emotional connection to Monolith - but considering their complete discography - I agree. I was able to see them last year in Seattle - and it was awesome.
Love the gold top Paul behind you
I only started getting into a lot of bands such as Kansas over the last few years, but now im obsessed. So far, i gotta go with the self titled as my favorite, but i also love the following few almost as much. I believe i have everything (or close to) up to Power. Im told i dont need to go further than that, but of course I'm still curious.
I would love for you to do the artwork of Kansas covers because they're so unique and they remind me so much of Yes with thematic covers and use of color.
1.Left Overture
2.Masque (purely because of Icarus and Child of Innocence)
3.Point of Know Return
4.Monolith
5.Two for the Show
6.Audio Visions
7.Song for America
8.Vinyl Confessions
8.The Absence of Presence
9.Drastic Measures
10. Power