pluggedin2progressiverock

OK, so I’ve been a little late to the game. 9 months to be exact. I’ve downloaded the music but haven’t really taken the time to give this band the attention it deserves. With their first studio album in 16 years Kansas, one of America’s finest progressive rock bands returns to form. With a career that spans over 47 years with so many different line-ups their latest release, “The Prelude Implicit” has a familiar sound to it. The violin work of David Ragsdale (who originally joined in 1991 only to leave and return again in 2006) has provided the string element so essential to the bands’s early signature sound. The dual guitar of Rich Williams and Zak Rizvi, the album’s co-producer and co-writer fuse the hard rock, southern rock and progressive rock sound of the original band. And as is the case with many other bands that have been around as long as Kansas has, lead vocalists are the most difficult band member to replace yet retain the core sound. It’s no different here. Replacing the retired Steve Walsh whose voice graced the band during their rise to America’s arena rock consciousness is Ronnie Platt on lead vocals.

Here’s the current line-up featured on “The Prelude Implicit”:

Rich Williams – lead and rhythm guitar
Phil Ehart – drums, percussion
Billy Greer – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
David Ragsdale – violin, additional rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards
David Manion – keyboards, backing vocals
Zak Rizvi – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals

The track I’m going to highlight is “Rhythm in the Spirit.” It opens with the hard rock twin guitar work of Rich Williams and new band member Zak Rizvi. The heavy drum beats of original remaining member Phil Earhart adds a percussive punch to the the track while Billy Greer adds a bass heavy thump. A change in tempo descends into a mellow keyboard groove followed by the lead vocals of Ronnie Platt. Complete with introspective lyrics and an uplifting chorus that includes David Ragsdale’s violin, this cut is a friendly reminder of this band’s incredible musical heritage. The guitar solos are up to the standards set by the band ‘s former guitar wiz and songwriter, Kerry Livgren. Especially enjoyable to this fan is the emotional plea of lead vocalist Platt:

If you can change your mind
And see what’s there to find
There’s rhythm in the spirit
A new light will arise
And let you recognize

Although the band has been through many line-up changes through the many years they have never really left us musically. With this release, “The Prelude Implicit”, they triumphantly return to form. I gotta pay closer attention to new releases from venerable progressive rock acts!  In this case, I would have missed a truly triumphant return. Here’s a live performance video of “Rhythm In The Spirit.”