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Somewhere to Elsewhere
Kansas
Somewhere to Elsewhere
Genres: Rock, Classic Rock
 
Struggling through lineup changes, public indifference and ever-slippery fashions through the 1980s and '90s, the members of Kansas have largely stayed true to their vision and a stubborn core of supporters. Somewhere to E...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Kansas
Title: Somewhere to Elsewhere
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: SPV
Release Date: 8/19/2008
Album Type: Import
Genres: Rock, Classic Rock
Styles: Progressive, Progressive Rock, Album-Oriented Rock (AOR), Arena Rock
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Struggling through lineup changes, public indifference and ever-slippery fashions through the 1980s and '90s, the members of Kansas have largely stayed true to their vision and a stubborn core of supporters. Somewhere to Elsewhere rewards that patience with a 20-years-after reunion of the band's original line-up. Kicking off with the would-be sequel, "Icarus II," the suitably heroic tale of a World War II bomber crew, Kansas rumbles through all their musical trademarks: Steve Walsh's soaring vocal display (though the years have slightly curtailed its cruising altitude), thunderous guitar breaks that prove guitarists Kerry Livgren and Richard Williams have indeed heard of Metallica, and some strenuous noodling by violinist Robby Steinhardt. It's a throwback to the band's original vision, one that argues you can go home again, even if that's a place that's been distinctly changed by time. In short, long-time fans should find it a pleasant return to form. --Jerry McCulley

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CD Reviews

My favorite Kansas album
V. Smith | Southeast Texas | 04/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am an 80's convert to Kansas....I always liked the older classics such as "Dust In The Wind" and "Carry On My Wayward Son" but my musical tastes were more into the 80's hard rock scene and radio pop. I personally loved the album POWER, released in 1986. As I've gotten older (will be 39 in late 2009) I've found that while I like a lot of the newer music (Nickelback, Foo Fighters, Five For Fighting, etc.) I seem to be looking backwards to find new music that I really enjoy. As a result of this, I've discovered truly great music from Neil Diamond, Gordon Lightfoot, The Moody Blues, and more.



I began looking around on Amazon to find music from older bands that I liked to see what releases I had missed over the years. I found some gems along the way, and the best one by far (in my opinion) is the 2000 release of "Somewhere To Elsewhere" by Kansas. If you liked "Power", you will love STE. I'm not an uber-fan of any band....I can't tell you the names of the founding members of any band with the possible exception of maybe Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.....but I know what I like.



This album is to me what I call a "concept album", or in my own terms, one that tells a story. This is one of those rare start-to-finish albums that you can put the headphones on and lay back in the recliner and when you're done, you feel like you've just experienced something, not just listened to a performance. From the music, the band seems to not only recognize that they have aged, but they embrace it. This is artfully demonstrated on the beautifully arranged "The Coming Dawn". "Byzantium" is another of my favorites, along with "Look At The Time" which I (and others who have reviewed it) find to be a very Beatles-inspired sound. "Icarus II", the opening track, starts out subtlely and expands into a hard-rock frenzy.



I give this album five stars....maybe I'm being generous, but after listening to it, I remembered why music used to mean so much to me and I had lost that over time. This album touched me, and I hope everyone else who loves music will give it a chance to touch them."