A Literalist Reaction to KANSAS - Icarus (Born On Wings of Steel)

[@katesjanice]

Yes. Kerry had a pilot’s license, bought a plane, and loved to fly!

[@Brunillion]

Masque is an amazing album, incredibly underrated. Lyricaly second to none Kansas release. All the World was as true back in 75 as it is (sadly) today, 49 years later.

[@scottkiewitt6102]

Don’t forget Child of Innocence….awesome song!

[@jeffbruns2421]

Icarus (Borne On Wings of Steel) is about the mythical figure Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and melted his wings that were made of wax so he has wings made of steel now …and rock ‘n’ roll.

[@KevinRCarr]

It's funny how different we all are in music. This, for instance, is my "go-to" when it comes to Kansas. This was the first Kansas that I heard, and I heard it under the influence of good weed while riding in a car with a great sound system and here I am nearly 50 years later goin' to it, so there you go.

[@ctfair]

@@KevinRCarr Similar story for me, and around 50 years ago for me too. I had a friend who had a nice car (a Buick Century I believe it was) and a customized stereo system in it. We used to ride the streets in our home town blasting “Masque” on his system, and later “Leftoverture.” And many other titles popular in the day like Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs,” ELO’s “Face the Music,” and Steely Dan’s “Asia.” Great times and a great rock n’roll soundtrack to go with it. 👍

[@derroneverest4511]

Lets GOOOOOOOO One of my favorite Kansas masterpieces!

[@katesjanice]

You must listen to the last song on Masque, The Pinnacle. Also written by Kerry, it’s the proggiest song on the album, and a true MASTERPIECE. 😊

[@erickvermeulen9734]

I loved the live album Two for the Show, and I know the song only from that live version. Love it.

[@ramsin99]

You need to listen to Mysteries and Mayhem right into The Pinnacle. I think you forgot how great this album is. I promise you guys won't be disappointed.

[@ashleyowens1093]

I was a little kid when Kansas got started. Literally (ha!) a big part of the soundtrack of my life. Love this song/album

[@Ninang363]

That bass is workin' overtime! Great tune!

[@katesjanice]

The Pinnacle is the prog masterpiece on Masque. Love both songs. LOVE KANSAS!!! Of course both were written by the Maestro, Kerry Livgren.

[@richrogers299]

Masque has become one of my favorite Kansas albums.

[@katesjanice]

Kerry did get his pilot’s license, and flew a lot. But I don’t recall when. His first autobiography “Seeds of Change” will tell you all about it. And, one of his miraculous near-death experiences.

[@ClayParrot42265]

YES! Finally, some more KANSAS! (I commenting immediately before seeing/listening to this episode).

[@jkkansasband7056]

Another classic from Kansas. Don't forget to check out JOURNEY FROM MARIABRONN...since 1974 still my favorite with the Awesome outro. btw, "borne". Peace. 2.36

[@joelliebler5690]

Solid tune!

[@PatrickManganelli]

For you KANSAS fans: according an old article, the band was also taken aback of the sound: it is a bit darker than the previous 2. This album was recorded at studio in the country in louisiana. It was a new studio and their, jeff glixman, didn't know the equipment yet. It took him a while so by the time leftoverture was to be recorded, jeff had it down pat . It's still,a great album, warts and all.kansas is a band!!!

[@TimWright623]

Masque is probably my favorite Kansas album, but maybe tied with Leftoverture. I love every song on that album. Maybe part of the reason is Kansas was my first concert at age 15 while touring this album as the opening band for Bad Company. Great memories, makes an old guy like me feel young again. Thanks for doing this one.

[@timelkins3537]

I read in his autobiography “Seeds of Change” that Kerry did eventually get his pilots license, but it was years later when he started making $. So you might be dead on with your ideas about the song’s meaning. He just added the Greek myth character of Icarus to the concept.

[@jimralston7562]

Ive enjoyed Masque since 1977. It has one of the coolest album covers! Take a look... I love Icarus - yes a solo plane pilot's love of the feeedom of the sky! Mysteries & Mayhem/The Pinnacle one of my top Prog pieces of all time...

[@db321g]

The Pinnacle is my favorite off Masque.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Yes, a masterpiece. Lyrically, Kerry Livgren reveals in his autobiography that the lyrics are about a relative(sort of a tribute) who was a fighter pilot in either WW2 or the Korean War. Livgren wrote a sequel called Icarus II for the Somewhere To Elsewhere album in 2000 As for Masque not being as proggy...utter BS. Icarus, All The World, Child Of Innocence, Mysteries And Mayhem/The Pinnacle(they were meant to be one song, the record company made them split off M & M to possibly market it as a single) are the very defintion of prog. However, there are three shorter songs that aren't prog...It's You is kind of a country rock-boogie number, It Takes a Woman's Love To Make a Man(the 2nd worst song the original six did) a basic rock song with a sax solo thrown in, and Two Cents Worth, a somewhat conventional song(the middle section is a bit unconventional) The live version from " Two For The Show " is worth a listen, Kansas is always better live

[@LiteralistReactions]

Now I have to listen to the whole album ten times! Thanks, Michael! - JD

[@bobmcmorris8797]

I am a die hard Kansas and prog fan, Masque is by far their best album it's proggy in all the right places. musicianship and writing is phenomenal. p.s. I am also a professional musician.

[@kenRowe-p4x]

I put Masque right up there with Leftoverature and Point of Know return.

[@reneelyons6836]

Nice!!

[@kenRowe-p4x]

Song was about WWII bomber missions.

[@davidgribikcpa]

Guys, The Pinnacle is on Masque. Come on now........

[@lonelyp1]

This is one of the only songs I can say I like a live version better than the studio version. I'm not sure which live album I like better.

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

John, you're looking rather ghostly there! It's too soon for Halloween! :) Cheers and good to see you (well sort of). I like this song for the lyrics more than the music. It's ok, but seems rather run of the mill...

[@DaKidd62]

Come on! The Pinnacle is one of their greatest prog songs or songs period.

[@TogonzoMedia]

The only real problem with Masque is the production - it's muddier than a group of toddlers. On some systems and speakers, "Icarus" can invoke compressor pumping because Phil's high hat has a strong de-esser filter on it that if you try to EQ the muddiness out of the mid-range, that high hat will sound like belt squealing or a bad bearing in a fan and some equipment with auto leveling will compensate by compressor pumping. Annoying! Other than that, I'm blown away by Dave making the airplane connection out of the blue because "Icarus 2" is actually the prequel to this track and I won't spoil the story but airplanes and WW2 imagery are abundant in "Icarus 2" and I think Dave will nail the subject matter of both "Icarus" tracks in one shot! 😊

[@LiteralistReactions]

Great info, thanks! Awesome. Dave is uncanny. - JD

[@stpnwlf9]

I've always felt this album was a little underrated. It has a few gems on it and I always enjoyed it. Some great contributions from Robbie Steinhardt both instrumentally and vocally.

[@eckthtraetheth]

Kanthath Rockth. The End.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Well said. - JD

[@gold98gtp]

Whats going on with the echo when Dave speaks? Same was happening on the musicians who died in 2023 video.

[@LiteralistReactions]

We've had so may problems with my audio, a solution was for me to record my audio locally and dub it into the final video (all my job) - having heard the echo, the next time we do a record day I will use earphones but the next slew of videos will have some echo for Davey. - JD

[@kevlar_t4echo]

Masque is an excellent album, though the two prior and the two following were better all around. However, on this album, from a musical and lyrical perspective, "All the World" and " The Pinnacle" would be better suited for Dave to interpret.

[@LiteralistReactions]

Thanks so much for contributing to the conversation! - JD

[@reverendjim9891]

There are 8 songs on the album only 3 are "popish" The rest are Prog...You need to revisit this album

[@LiteralistReactions]

I promise to. I have given it one listen, more to come.

[@ClayParrot42265]

No, Kerry hadn't just learned to fly. At this time, these guys were still VERY broke and living on $1/day each.

[@stretch753]

Not proggy? Are we listening to the same song?

[@yar9333]

Theres only really 2 non prog songs on the album

[@djlaino]

No you're wrong. We don't correct you. (See what I did there?). On that subject - Rush "The color of right".

[@jeffking887]

So you don’t know the Greek mythology of Daedalus and Icarus? The lyrics will be clear if you read the myth.

[@robinmarks1710]

Oh damn, I actually agree with Dave about actually hearing the song instead of just hearing the music.