KANSAS – The Prelude Implicit [Special Edition Digipak +2] (2016)

After 16 years of absence legends KANSAS are back with a reinvigorated line-up and a great new studio album titled “The Prelude Implicit” with this Special Edition Digipack featuring 2 extra tracks.
The name Kansas strikes all the exciting notes among young and older fans alike. A band that really proved itself to be timeless and ever youthful in every way possible, Kansas has come a long way from the 1970’s. Kansas has witnessed numerous line-up changes over the course of time. All of this without a drastic change in their sound.
There have been many bands that have kept fans waiting rather painfully and endlessly for new music. In this case, Kansas takes the cake. And after a long 16 year wait, the band did it again.
Much like the band’s musical past, “The Prelude Implicit” is another divine record.

Since first track ‘With This Heart’ speaks by itself about the sheer good vibes that Kansas creates. The song is brimming with a lot of happy sounds and I personally thought it was a rather soothing track. This really helps ease the listener into what follows.
Up next is ‘Visibility Zero’ which starts off with a really modern prog sound that many younger audiences are quite acquainted with. The song gradually sways more towards a classical prog rock sounds and sways between older and newer sounds. The superb work on the keys, guitars, drums, bass and the violins work incredibly well with the impressive singing.

‘The Unsung Heroes’ is a personal favourite on the record, perfectly balanced and tasteful. The intro and the transitions and the latter of the song are skilfully handled, the lyrics are so well written and the instrumental side of things are sublime. It is a fine example of a song which isn’t overdone at all. The vocals take the limelight here as well.
‘Rhythm in the Spirit”’opens up with some catchy guitar parts before rest of the band kick in and the results are simply grand. This song sounds so rich and heavy.

Songs like ‘Camouflage’ and ‘Crowded Isolation’ feature the typical catchy sounds that Kansas is renowned and revered for, pretty melodic hard rock if you ask me. Apart from their melodious sections, the songs have really tight and intense openings. These two are also typical of the classy Kansas sound and also captures the essence of elements that made sounds from older eras. The groovy rhythm sections are endlessly appealing.
‘Section 60’ marks the end of what has been an awesome record. This instrumental piece is a great culmination with its spectacular arrangements. It was a great move to end the record with a song that showcases just the instruments.

This Special Edition includes 2 extra track as bonus; the highly melodic midtempo ‘Home on the Range” filled with acoustics and a lovely atmosphere, and ‘Oh Shenandoah’, a terrific instrumental but this time with a melodic rock feel moved by a great guitar work.

“The Prelude Implicit” is epic in every sense of the term, but in the good sense of the term. Kansas shows what it truly means to be timeless and quite literally defy aging in their music.
The new album is a fine balance between their classic style and newer contemporary sounds. It blends light prog with melodic rock with ease. In a time when progressive music is more often than not overdone for the sake of being ‘proggy’, Kansas brings a new class with its music.

The guitars are fire on this record. Zak Rizvi and Richard Williams showcase some amazing and inspiring work. Phil Ehart adds oodles of rhythm with his intense drums fills while Billy Greer holds down the groove & rhythm while displaying great prowess on the bass guitar.
David Manion’s magical touch on the keys and the organ adds a fine texture in the band’s music and is instrumental in making the music sound timeless. David Ragsdale’s violins create a signature sound more or less with rest of the band. The violins add so much musical flavor and it is a voice by itself in the band’s music.

Ronnie Platt’s singing is marvelous. There is no better word to describe the lovely singing on the record. His vocal work add so much depth to the instrumental parts and gives a certain definitive meaning to the music. Billy Greer adds his distinctive touch to the vocals too.
Production on “The Prelude Implicit” is pristine but with muscle, with each instrument finding room to breather.
To sum up, “The Prelude Implicit” is a terrific comeback album from a band that never released a bad one, but this new is easily among their best.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – With This Heart
02 – Visibility Zero
03 – The Unsung Heroes
04 – Rhythm in the Spirit
05 – Refugee
06 – The Voyage of Eight Eighteen
07 – Camouflage
08 – Summer
09 – Crowded Isolation
10 – Section 60
11 – Home on the Range (bonus track)
12 – Oh Shenandoah (bonus track)

Phil Ehart – Drums
Billy Greer – Bass and Vocals
David Manion – Keyboards
Ronnie Platt – Vocals and Keyboard
David Ragsdale – Violin and Guitar
Zak Rizvi – Guitar
Richard Williams – Lead Guitar

Pre ORDER;
www.amazon.com/Prelude-Implicit-Special-Kansas/dp/B01J3TRE7A
.