Search - Kansas :: In the Spirit of Things

I Stand Corrected...

Roger P Day | Reynoldsburg, Ohio United States | 07/23/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After 'Drastic Measures' and 'Power', I was one of many Kansas fans who threw up our hands and said, "Without Kerry or Robbie, there is no Kansas" and wandered off in search of something worth listening to. As a result, I missed 'In the Spirit of Things'...a pity it's taken me all these years to remember how good a writer Steve Walsh can be,and how talented the other band members are. But I must proclaim 'In The Spirit of Things' to be a fine album,especially by today's standards. True, it does have a definate '80s sound,but Kansas takes a lot of material from outside sources and makes it their own. 'One Man,One Heart' might be the kind of song that Survivor would've done,but it's a solid pop-rock song that Walsh makes his own. 'Ghosts' is wonderfully haunting,and--I'm going to go out on a limb here--'Rainmaker' is one of the best songs from ANY Kansas album; that one alone is worth the price of admission--a mini-masterpiece of the sort that was prevalent on 'Point of Know Return',but with with the sombre tones of a 'Song For America' track. I've spent many years revering Kerry Livgren's contributions to Kansas; with 'In the Spirit of Things', Steve Walsh steps out from behind Livgren's shadow. This is a good '80s rock album as well as a concept album; the concept is loose enough to where tracks can be enjoyed individually,and nothing 'art-y' is done to interfere with the music. If more concept albums were like this,they might be more accessible to people. At worst,my friends,this album is just as good as a Streets album--a vehicle for Steve Walsh's vocal talents. While he's not the young man from 'Song For America',he works well with the material here. This is a must-buy for the Steve Walsh affeciannado, and to all my fellow Kansas fans, let me say; I was wrong. Kansas can be Kansas even without Kerry Livgren,and this album proves it. So snatch it up,already! And thanks to all who posted their reviews here...it made take the risk that has payed off for me...Thanks!"

DEFINITELY UNDERRATED

Super Chicken | Southern California | 02/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was floored when this album came out in 1988. I remember taking a trip to England and this was the only cassette I played on my walkman. I frequently put the cd on when I'm driving and am still amazed by "Ghosts", "The Preacher" and "Rainmaker". The emotion put into this album was incredible. If you have avoided this Kansas album, I would definitely reconsider. This ranks second only to "Leftoverture" to me in terms of best albums."

Beautiful and inspired

electricphase | Mexico City | 04/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Definitely not in the traditional vein of the "classic Kansas sound". In the Spirit of Things was made in the late '80s, a time where '70s classic rock music simply wasn't happening... Notwithstanding, Kansas managed to come up with one of its best, yet more under-appreciated gems. Steve Walsh's soulful and pasionate singing combined with Steve Morse's guitar wizardry really made ITSOT a marvelous opus.



For whatever reason I didn't understand ITSOT when it was released (like probably the majority of this CD pundits). The song "Ghosts" really grabbed me from the begining, but I had failed to carefully hear the rest. I just didn't quite make an effort to listen and to understand the whole product. Several years later I dusted it off and gave it another spin... WOW! I was blown away by the sheer qualty, emotion and uniqueness of this production. Words are useless unless you actually listen to this masterpiece. Some may regard this comment as blasphemy, but now I truly believe ITSOT to be the best Kansas album ever (I own every of their CDs). It is just that incredible. Again, Steve Walsh unleashed everything he had while singing on this CD. Every song is so powerful and compelling, simply cascading with musical colors and utter brilliancy.



As an additional bonus the recording sound is almost perfect. Courtesy of Bob Ezrin, the overall production quality is so high that one can really crank the volume up and the sound will still remain crisp and powerful. Even the cover art, the lyrics, the pictures and overall artwork of the notebook inside are some of the best ever.



Regardless of what other reviewers might say against it, In the Spirit of Things is an album capable of reaching the deepest regions of your soul. It's all about intense emotions... and to me, this is what great music is all about!



An absolute must have!"