Leftoverture is the fourth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976.
Overview
When Kansas's Masque album failed to produce a hit single, pressure from Kirshner Records intensified. The band knew that if their next LP did not sell, they would be dropped by the label. To make matters worse, Steve Walsh began to experience writer's block, and his contribution to the album would ultimately be limited to co-authoring four songs. It fell on Kerry Livgren to fill the void. The dark, spra...
Leftoverture is the fourth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976.
Overview
When Kansas's Masque album failed to produce a hit single, pressure from Kirshner Records intensified. The band knew that if their next LP did not sell, they would be dropped by the label. To make matters worse, Steve Walsh began to experience writer's block, and his contribution to the album would ultimately be limited to co-authoring four songs. It fell on Kerry Livgren to fill the void. The dark, sprawling suites from the previous two albums disappeared in favor of shorter, more accessible songs which energized the band. Despite their brevity, the new compositions still retained much of the classically-inspired complexity of Livgren's previous work. Kansas recorded the album at Studio In The Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana. (The Studio in the Country was so-named because, as Kerry Livgren described on In the Studio with Redbeard in the episode spotlighting Leftoverture that "It was in the middle of a swamp (chuckling). We'd walk out of the studio and there would be gators in front of the studio, mosquitos the size of B-52s and at times armadillos would run into the control room (laughing).")
A Detailed Description
Leftoverture begins with the hit single "Carry On Wayward Son," a song which has become a classic rock staple. Kerry Livgren wrote the song as a sequel to the final song on the previous album ("The Pinnacle" off Masque). Because of this song's popularity, Kansas is often misclassified as an AOR (Album Oriented Rock) band, when in fact the majority of their catalogue (at least with their original line-up) is progressive rock. Following is the religiously-inspired "The Wall," which is shorter and less intricate than previous Kansas epics. "What's On My Mind" is a straight-forward rock song in the musical vein of "Carry On Wayward Son." Next is the sprawling and deep "Miracles Out Of Nowhere," the first of the three progressive epics included on the original album. This song features a polyphonic solo section in the middle, incorporating synth horns (used only on Leftoverture and never again) and acoustic instruments in synergy. The fifth track is piece of pseudo-progressive rock called "Opus Insert," a song that begins with a fade-in, which is unusual on a Kansas recording. After "Opus Insert" is a brief piano and synth dominated work called "Questions Of My Childhood." Next-to-last is the progressive "Cheyenne Anthem," a tribute to the American Indian tribe of the song's title, and one among several Kansas epics that berate man for allegedly destroying whatever he touches. Closing the album is the multi-sectioned, mostly instrumental "Magnum Opus," which is also the longest track.
Notes, Analysis, and Conclusion
Leftoverture is where Kansas first shifted somewhat from their progressive roots in search of a wider audience.
Also of interest is the particular sound of this album, elements of which were retained in succeeding releases. The prototypical Kansas "wall" of sound, which is a combination of violin, piano, organ, and sometimes synthesizer all playing in unison, made its debut on Leftoverture. The programming of the synthesizers remained unique to the album. The brass was more synthetic-sounding and less brassy than that used on the following release, yet it was presumably generated with the same equipment (according to the album notes, Kansas used ARP and Oberheim synthesizers). The icy, symphonic synth pad used in "Opus Insert" never appeared in any other song on Leftoverture or in any other album after it.
Overall, Leftoverture is a remarkable compilation of work assembled under the sharp gaze of a business enterprise that was willing to give the band but one more chance to achieve commercial success. The album was indeed a success, far outselling anything the band had previously released, and serving as the launch pad for a new musical direction. The following year's Point of Know Return would continue the trend of success the band fostered with Leftoverture. By 2001, the album had been certified 5 times platinum in the United States (meaning 5 million in US sales), and making this the band's largest-selling album ever.
Track listing
"Carry On Wayward Son" – 5:25
"The Wall" – 4:51
"What's on My Mind" – 3:28
"Miracles Out of Nowhere" – 6:28
"Opus Insert" – 4:28
"Questions of My Childhood" – 3:40
"Cheyenne Anthem" – 6:55
"Magnum Opus" – 8:35
Personel
Phil Ehart - drums, percussions
Dave Hope - bass
Kerry Livgren - guitars, keyboards
Robby Steinhardt - violin, viola, vocals
Steve Walsh - keyboards, vocals
Rich Williams - guitars
Additional personnel
Toye LaRocca - vocals
Cheryl Norman - vocals
Production
Producers: Jeff Glixman, Kansas
Arranger: Kansas
Engineer: Bill Evans
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
Year Chart Position
1977 Pop Albums 5
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Year Single Chart Position
1976 "Carry On Wayward Son" Pop Singles 11
1977 "What's On My Mind" Pop Singles none
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