Audio CD review:
Kansas - Device Voice Drum

Kansas - Device Voice Drum

Band: Kansas Title: Device Voice Drum Rating: Release Date: 08 October, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Intro 2: Belexes 3: Icarus II 4: Icarus 5: Song for America 6: Howlin' at the Moon 7: The Wall 8: The Preacher 9: Journey from Mariabronn 10: Dust in the Wind 11: Cheyenne Anthem 12: Child of Innocence 13: Miracles Out of Nowhere 14: Point of Know Return 15: Portrait/Pinnacle 16: Fight Fire with Fire 17: Play the Game Tonight 18: Carry on Wayward Son 19: Distant Vision

Customer Reviews If it's Kansas' swan song, it's a good one... Kansas have not done any new music since "Somewhere To Elsewhere", and that was virtually a Kerry Livgren solo album as performed by Kansas, good as it was. Let's be honest. Steve Walsh has admitted he is having trouble writing music for Kansas, and he is doing solo albums. Robby Steinhardt was recently "asked to leave" the band. All Kansas have put out recently are repackaging of their old songs (much like Black Sabbath). But this live album, if it's their last real album, is certainly a cracker. I'm not sure where they got the money to put this on, since it's a full-concert production in Atlanta, and they've been a bar/county fair band ever since the 1990s. But the fact is that it's good. The song selection is good and the band, as always, are some of the best instrumentalists in rock. Steve Walsh shows here that, except to do his frontman bit, he doesn't need a guest keyboardist (apologies to Greg Robert). Robby Steinhardt's violin and voice were unmistakable, as he shows here (apologies to David Ragsdale). Billy Greer is not as "showy" a bassist as Dave Hope, but he's solid, on-the-point, and adds vocals as well. Phil Ehart shows here that he's always been underated and should be listed in the same lists as Neil Peart, Cozy Powell, Ian Paice, Bill Ward etc. In short, this is a fine disc, well worth getting, better than "Live At The Whisky" and as good as "Two For The Show". The only caveat is that Steve's voice struggles to hit some of his trademark high notes. But even with that, this is a fine live epitaph(?) to an American rock institution. Nice hood ornament..but.... 3D animation added to the live performance. I think the concept is weird. . eye candy and really doesn't add value for this long-time Kansas fan (38 years). I think the sound was refined and certainly heavier. . very nice amber tones. However. . what the heck was Walsh doing?? Just sing the tunes like you do. . . the weird interpretive vocal stuff just didn't get it. It made me wonder if he was hitting the hard stuff again. There something to be said for keeping the fidelity of the music. . at least so that the listener knows what you are saying. I saw KANSAS live shortly after DVD. The live show was way better! Louder than it needed to be. . . there was a threshold of pain that the audience had to endure and some folks had to leave. I will always be a dedicated Kansas fan, but. . . this effort was misguided. Buy it if you like, but I won't coin it as being well done. The Music's Forever This version focuses on providing its diverse fan base with a musical style that is tasteful and timeless. Every incarnation of this country's premeire Prog-Rock band, Kansas, has a musical life of its own. Gone are the days of the trademark Steve Walsh dancing, jumping and gyrating to the infecteous rock beat of this unique and, ever evolving, band. Now, Steve focuses his energy and attention upon playing keyboard parts (originally meant for two keyboardists) while belting out his vocals better than at any time period since the 1970s. This is a must have for every fan of good, solid, rock music. And, for every Kansas fan, it's a dire necessity. Keep On Rockin,' Wayward Sons!. . You can see a complete list of all Kansas discography, or go back to the Kansas tabs