Page 12-Tuesday, November 1, 1977--The Michigan Daily Kansas: The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, Nc Unknown first-ra By AUSTIN VANCE All too often when one buys an album that has an artistic jacket, what is pleasing to the eyes is disappointing to the ears. Don't be scared to purchase the new Kansas album (JZ 34929) Point of Know Return however, because sand- wiched between two fine fantasy drawings is an excellent record. This is a make-or-break album for Kansas. Despite constant touring and energetic concerts they have only attracted an audience about the size of a cult and a half. This recording should push them from the ranks of a band known by few into -a group appreciated by many. Ah, you say, tell me more. Kansas consists of Paul Ehardt on percussion, Dave Hope on bass, Kerry Livgren on guitars, piano, synthesizers . . . (you get the idea), Robby Steinhardt on violin, Steve Walsh on organ and piano, Rick Williams on guitars. I think it is only fair to mention the producer, Jeff Glixman, as this is one of the better-produced records of this year. One final note, Don Kirshner of (I presume) Rock Concert fame owns the copyrights to all the songs. Popularity does have its drawbacks. On to the album. The title track leads off this record, a song hinting about the dangers of acquiring too much knowledge. Paradox is a "is there more to life" type of song, followed by a short instrumental piece Spyder which leads into Por- trait (He Knew) the song that has been getting the most airplay. Surprisingly, Portrait is also the best song on the album. It is a fantasy about a visionary prophet who knew the answer to the question of life but didn't tell anybody. This concept may sound corny, but it works well with the music. Closet Chronicles is an electronic ballad, if one can consider anything electric a ballad. It centers around the theme money can't buy happi- ness. The King is in the closet He's hiding from today And though he owns all fortunes This room is where he'll stay. The only bad thing about this side is the end, the experience of being jolted back into reality after 18 minutes of fantasy is similar to stepping outside in January. Before we plunge into the next side of this album, let me try to describe the "sound" of Kansas. I would say it is a cross between Yes and Jean-Luc Ponty. No doubt this will raise the hackles of a few fans of those bands, but I am not comparing them, merely trying to find a bracket to place their music in. Opening the second side is Light- ning's Hand, in which Walsh tells us how he controls the weather. Dust in the Wind contrasts nicely, it is a laid- back acoustic number perfect for listening when one is burned-out. The masterpiece on this side is Sparks of the Tempest. How much control do we have over our lives? The view of Kansas is: Your future is managed and your freedom's a joke You don't know the difference as you put on the yoke The less that you know the more you fall into place A cog in t on your fac The perc nify the an ly. A cosmi Nobody's message c lifeless ply closes out t adequately I would c the big alb the ingredi cial succes follows a si many greal don't reflec So do your and pick up yo fall into place and pick up i , 1,1 ,, 1 7 It's Hard To Beat Our D 3 TOP RATED N tMU R Z RECEIVERS O 2216 AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER " 16 WATTS PER CHANNEL INTO 8 OHMS, MINIMUM CONTINUOUS POWER OUTPUT FROM 20 Hz TO 20 kHz; WITH NO MORE THAN 0.5% TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION " Phase Locked Loop FM Multiplex Demodulator S Full Complementary Symmetry Output " Dual-purpose AM Signal Strength/ FM Center Channel Tuning Meter " Tape Outputs for two tape decks walnut cabinets are optional. REG. $240 2238 AM/FM' STEREO RECEIVER " 38 WATTS PER CHANNEL INTO 8 OHMS, MINIMUM CONTINUOUS POWER OUTPUT FROM 20 Hz TO 20 kHz, WITH NO MORE THAN 0.1% TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION " Dual-Gate MOSFET FM Front End " Phase Locked Loop FM Multiplex Demodulator " Full Complementary Direct Coupled Output " FM Dolby 0e-emphasis Network " Separate Left and Right Bass, Mid and Treble Controls " Tape Facilities for two tap. decks REG. $360 SALE $279 2385 AM/FM STEREO RECEIVER " 185 WATTS PER CHANNEL INTO 8 OHMS, MINIMUM CONTINUOUS POWER OUTPUT FROM 20 Hz TO 20 kHz, WITH NO MORE THAN 0.5% TOTAL HARMONIC DISTOR- TION " Dual-Gate MOSFET FM Front End " Phase Locked Loop FM Multiplex Demodulator " Full Complementary Direct Coupled Output " Peak Indicators " Plug-in Dolby FM Capability " 18 dB per Octave Bessel-Derived High Filter " Independent Tape-to-Tape Copy REG. $1100 SALE $769 FT 484 EZ INST SALE $179 CAR STEREO SA LE ANN ARBOR MUSIC MAE 3365. STATE--ON CAMPUS-769-4980. All items subject to prior sale-quantities are limited--stle ends November 7.