Ranking the Studio Albums: Kansas

[@TennisOnion]

1. Monolith 2. Leftoverture 3. Masque 4. In the Spirit of Things - underrated 5. Song for America 6. Kansas 7. Point of Know Return - don't know why this one never hit me as hard So good, what a band and what a history of great music!

[@sportster16301]

Their live double album "Two For The Show" is a masterpiece of brilliant production and polished performances. They performed most of their best songs since it has 2 discs. IMO One of the best live albums ever done.

[@DanaMyersK6JQ]

It sounded amazing on the radio 40 years ago, and it's aged well. Agreed.

[@laurenthoffmann6511]

@Donald Duck Probably one of the greatest live album. But for sure, the best live album from any prog rock band !

[@eparg8059]

Not just one of the best live albums but t h e b e s t ....

[@katesjanice]

Kansas is a band that sounds every bit as great live as they do in the studio. And no overdubbing or autotuning. What they play is what you get on the recording. A group of amazing musicians and a fabulous prog songwriter in Kerry Livgren. Obviously my favorite band. And I love Kerry's post-Kansas work too. Has his own state of the art studio & does all his own production work.

[@itsyoboyconnor7135]

Got that album on my Birthday

[@jeffaudrain5306]

My fave five: 5. Masque 4. Somewhere to Elsewhere 3. Point of Know Return 2. Song for America 1. Leftoverture HM: Debut and Monolith

[@nickajk1]

Living here in Kansas it's two thumbs up I'm 54 years old and this band changed my world probably still in the top five American rock bands of all time guaranteed

[@lylesmith9547]

Leftoverture came out when I was in 6th grade, my brother was playing it and I walked in the door from baseball practice. I stopped dead in my tracks to hear Miracles out of nowhere for the first time. So blown away, I became a drummer because of Phil Ehart

[@emiliosgregoriou8943]

Song for America is incredible! I don't know why it isn't as well known. Genuinely mind boggling.

[@rosskendall3310]

Certainly agree. Love that song completely, both in lyrics and the music, especially the long version, which is usually abridged in concert. A shame!!

[@scotthermansen9607]

Good to see some love for Kansas ! 👍

[@simpleman5688]

“Miracles out of nowhere” from Leftoverture is Must Hear music!

[@skallagrimr_kveldulfsson]

Yes it is, my favourite Kansas song.

[@palmer7798]

The Whole Lefoverture album is magic

[@ronaldkoole3022]

One of my races also. First time in heard the song was during a Kansas concert. Also loved the vocals and presence of Steinhart.

[@bobsmith3217]

The instrumental break at the end always blows me away.

[@obbor4]

I would go with 'Masque' as my number one. It was actually the first one that I owned. Still my favorite. Great cover art also!

[@RichardTorti]

Fantastic job ranking Kansas albums. Almost spot on with mine... I agree with you that any given week the order could vary slightly. I don't think we will ever see another group of musicians work so wonderfully together!

[@antecarlstedt1657]

I love The Pinnacle so much that Masque is my top album, it's such a music masterpiece.

[@ronaldwaters5249]

Me too! Masque would be my number one as well.

[@tubetea]

Masque #1 and Song For America coming in a strong second for me,

[@rosskendall3310]

I agree! Mysteries and Mayhem just rocks!

[@erosbifebeef5115]

Their first 7 albums are absolute prog masterpieces and the first 3 are equally perfect

[@JaredRobbins2]

1. Kansas 2. Song for America 3. Point of know return 4. Masque 5. Leftoverture 6. Monolith 7. Audiovisions

[@kevinmoore2630]

I have to say I love in the spirit of things

[@geraldwaybright9171]

Me too

[@jennycooper5364]

great lyrics stunning guitar solos some of there best vocals and a great concept

[@trer1969]

Yo Kevin, is this the Kevin Moore of Dream Theater fame??

[@sifuanthonytarasca1686]

Great job with the ranking. Personally, Masque is my favorite.

[@brucybabyy7355]

song for america myself.

[@martykott5565]

Walsh's vocals on Masque are unequaled

[@steveisaac2328]

I also prefer Masque over all, maybe Song For America second, otherwise a good list

[@DanaMyersK6JQ]

I frankly think Kansas, Song For America, Masque, Leftoverture, all compete for #1, with Point of Know Return, Monolith trailing slightly. AudioVisions was showing the cracks already.

[@keithleeuwen877]

yes !

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for your ranking the studio albums of Kansas review! 🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@Bobmacca64]

When you put out an album as good as Kansas for your first album, you know you are one hell of band. I mean, having three epics like Journey From Mariabronn, Aperçu and Death Of Mother Nature Suite on your debut is...mind-blowing:) and the other songs are top notch as well.

[@diannecarpenter7718]

I love Kansas Audio-Vision, Point of No Return, Leftoverture and their art covers! Your shirt rocks!🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@tosse2011]

Man I love you choice of songs here... Loner is total discovery for me... That song is so influential ! Love you dude -> Best Regards!

[@richcates2249]

IVE BEEN INTO KANSAS SINCE MY TEEN YEARS . YOURE LINEUP IN ORDER OF MERIT IS FAIRLY RIGHT-ON . IM 65 YEARS YOUNG AND I STILL LISTEN TO THEM EVERY DAY. THEY ARE THE ONLY GROUP THAT I CHOOSE TO HAVE IN MY LIFE STILL TODAY. I THANK THE LORD ABOVE FOR GIFTING THE WORLD WITH ARTISTS OF SUCH CALIBER.GOD THEM ALL R.I.P. ROBBY STEINHARDT.....

[@uriah768ok]

Windows from Vinyl Confessions is a great, overlooked slab of proggy hard rock. It is in my top 5 Kansas tunes. Mainstream is a big highlight from Drastic Measures, as well.

[@m.valentinesmith4845]

first time we completely agree.. most exciting to guess along ! Great work Pete, thank you for this

[@paulw8860]

Only discovered this band last week and cannot stop listening to their debut album. Will get to the rest of theirs soon.

[@anticleiaquinngarcia67196]

Good for you Paul W ! Right now as i text you there is this 1 song that has got me so high that i just keep hitting rewind to listen to it over & over its the 3rd song on LEFTOVERTURE " What's on my mind " Amazing song

[@db321g]

It's going to be a long journey to the Point of Know Return

[@timmarciniak4388]

My first album I bought from Kansas was Power. Absolutely love that album.

[@salozmen29]

Great album. All I Wanted should of been a bigger hit. Walsh once again steals the show.

[@ericwalker6068]

Monolith is woefully underrated. Leftoverture is a masterpiece, but I’ve always ranked Monolith pretty high. 1.) Leftoverture 2.) Point Of Know Return 3.) Monolith 4.) Masque 5.) Audio Visions

[@ronaldwaters5249]

Me too! I like Monolith a lot, as well as Masque.

[@bmardon2112]

Very sensible choices love it

[@lening9]

1) Leftoverture 2) Point of Know Return 3) Kansas 4) Song for America 5) Masque 6) Monolith 7) Audio-Visions 8) Power 9) Freaks of Nature 10) Somewhere to Elsewhere 11) The Prelude Implicit 12) In the Spirit of Things 13) Vinyl Confessions 14) Drastic Measures

[@davej9228]

Masque was the first album I ever bought. Saw them on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.

[@stevemurrell6167]

Exactly a year has passed and yes, the new album 'Absence Of Presence' is out.....and it is a beauty! Interesting list and your Kansas knowledge is impressive. Enjoyed this.

[@bksherm]

Again I got into Kansas because of you Pete. Now I think how did I not get into these guys. Thanks so much.

[@kentmains7763]

Leftoverture is a once in a lifetime album.

[@jcsalty457]

Point of No Return is better but it’s indisputable that Leftoverture is right behind it

[@ingroundpool]

Just listened to leftoverture for the first time tonight and frankly my first ever kansas album ive listened too, never heard any other songs before this except carry on wayward son and dust in the wind, i give it a 9.5/10, it was that good

[@thomashartmann2891]

@Rob S Masque is much better IMHO.

[@jameshoey303]

I have tried hard to like Kansas....but ...apart from one or two songs their music does nothing for me...they just cut the mustard when compared to other prog bands eg Yes Genesis...believe me I have listened but it just does not happen......

[@kentmains7763]

@@michaelsalisbury1477 Yes, all music is a commercial product. What's your point?

[@highcurrent1125]

Damn brother....the love is in your eyes for the band know as ........ KANSAS....amen!!!!

[@nicj99]

i was 16 when Leftoverture same out... listened to it all summer of '76....will never forget how those songs shaped me and the way the sun shone upon that youthful time!! always number ONE! I did see them for the monolith tour in july '79 !

[@rickeycooley9139]

You nailed it my Kansas brother! Been on them since the very first one. One of the very best ever!🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[@garyjoyce2160]

Going back to your TOTO episode yesterday/ I remember in 1982 when Walsh left : they held auditions and Fergie Frederiksen tried out but did not get the gig.

[@dang.7964]

Pete, another great show. I love Song for America as the top. My old man played the hell out of Point which got me into them. Great band!

[@trer1969]

Miracles Out of Nowhere...when I discovered that song in the late ‘90s, I was simply floored. It is the perfect song...I remember standing outside my truck out in the country with the song blasting, working to sing Steve’s high notes. Even though I’m mainly a guitar player and singer, I learned how to play Phil’s drum part in the breakdown of that song...proggy, but approachable, and simply fun to play.

[@jeffdeucker6504]

leftoverture is a perfect album!

[@irishwolf8236]

Finally !! My #4 favorite band of all time. Here goes ….. 1.Masque 2. Leftoverture 3. Kansas 4.Song For America 5. Monolith 6. Point of Know Return 7. Audio Visions 8.Power 9. Freaks of Nature 10. Vinyl Confessions 11. Somewhere to Elsewhere 12. In the Spirit of Things 13. The Prelude Implicit 14.Drastic Measures

[@quinnmitchel4075]

1.) Monolith 2.) Left Overture 3.) Audio-visions 4.) Song for America 5.) Point of No Return Top 5

[@paulayers1111]

Their first four albums are all equally amazing to me

[@geraldmellon740]

Just started listening to Kansas and thought "where would be the best place to get a good review of their albums?" Mmmmm no brainer - cheers Pete superb as usual. Peace from Glasgow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@eric_in_florida]

Man that shirt is awesome. You nailed the top 5 each one is incredible.

[@georgedanielbutlerjr983]

Kansas, the band that formed the same year and city I was born in. Topeka Kansas 1971.

[@markscutti9682]

Aug 25th hopefully will be my 19th visit to Kansas! While my favs are the original 6’s albums,Prelude Fits right into the early works! Cannot wait for the new one!!

[@stevenpetersen445]

Great ranking! Love this channel!

[@alanhembra2565]

Very good list sir.

[@jcsalty457]

I like drastic measures and vinyl confessions. John has a hell of a voice I’m also a fan of power. Pretty poppy and just straight foward rock but still great

[@geneleonard4368]

I Loved your ranking of Kansas and your Queen . I Saw Queen for the Sheer Heart Attack tour at the Capitol theater ,NJ and Kansas opened up for them .Song for America had just come out . Kansas was incredible as was Queen. It's was actually a triple bill the original Argent ( Hold your head up ) opened for Kansas. They don't make concerts like that anymore and I probably paid about 20 dollars for the ticket . 😃👍

[@jakobsprogworld]

Great video! My top 5: 5 - Kansas 4 - Point of Know Return 3 - Masque 2 - Song for America 1 - Leftoverture

[@garyjoyce2160]

PETE- awesome show. My second concert in NYC. 1980. Just my opinion. I like the ranking of Albums better than individual songs. Maybe because I have trouble grabbing Only ten songs. But/ just my opinion. Another tremendous show. I m loving these Album rankings.

[@scottwakefield6422]

Thanks for the video.i love Kansas.my top 10 is very close to yours.a few later albums I haven't heard but will check out.

[@kskisser]

In The Spirit Of Things is actually my favorite. Steve Walsh said he thought it was their best album as well. You left off Always Never The Same from the list and it belongs there because it does introduce some new material and the added orchestral arrangements by Larry Baird were amazing. It has my favorite version of Song For America on it.

[@arichison]

My introduction to rock music as a kid. What a great band and sound. Unique and so good. My favorite.

[@daveslagle4010]

I love watching Pete's videos (always good!), but my favorite part is learning more about the albums that I missed or don't know quite as well. I loved Kansas (especially in the '70s) and had Left Overture, Point of Know Return, Monolith, and Audio-Visions in my constant rotation as a kid. I wasn't really familiar with Masque, but from the video and all the comments that followed, I was able to discover a really great album that I missed the first time around. Very cool... If you haven't done so already, check out the Kansas documentary "Miracles Out of Nowhere". Really, really awesome!

[@sbrycroft]

Thank you doing this tribute to the albums of Kansas. I caught your top albums of all time video about a month ago (I was drawn to your channel as a die hard Blackmore fan looking for all kinds of content during quarantine) but when I saw you chose Leftoverture, it reminded me how much I enjoyed that album on my 8 track player back in the day. I had never checked out any of their other albums - still don’t know why to this day. Also I knew about Kerry Livgren, Robby, and the guy in the overalls, but until a month ago I did not know who Steve Walsh was at all. Since then I’ve become obsessed with the band and Steve’s incredible singing, organ playing, songwriting, and stage acrobatics. Thanks for reintroducing and deepening my relationship with this band and their great music.

[@jeremyhelm2833]

If "Song For America" was the only song on the entire SFA album... it would STILL be their finest work. I still drop to my knees in tears when I hear it. Most. Epic. Ever.

[@toddboothe1846]

Thanks for this list. Kansas is my favorite band and they still kill it live. My top 5 are 1. Leftoverture 2. Point of No return 3. Two for the show. ( live album. Listen to Lonely Wind ) 4. Mask 5. Monolith I think a hidden gem for some Kansas fans is Two for the show. If you haven’t listened to it you are in for a treat when you do. Steve’s voice is at its best. Enjoy.

[@jimmyr204]

Great t-shirt!

[@dougmcauliffe2253]

The debut is my favorite. Awesome symphonic prog

[@gwts1171]

My older sisters actually got me into Kansas through the Elefante albums, so they hold a really special place for me. Everything that you said about them is true, but I have spent so much time with them that they rank a bit higher for me. "Leftoverture" is probably my favorite, though. I saw them a couple of years ago and they still sounded great!

[@theforcemetal]

Incredible amount of talent in those albums. If you have to pick one between Yes and Kansas what would be your pick (I know is very hard to choose). Awaiting ranking the albums: SAXON!

[@katesjanice]

As much as Pete loves Kansas, I bet that he would choose Yes. Just my opinion...

[@edsterling5258]

Well done. Livgren is my songwriter hero. What an astonishing body of work. Ty for sharing your opinions.

[@darkhymnsfromthecoldnorth]

I only started getting into a lot of bands such as Kansas over the last few years, but now im obsessed. So far, i gotta go with the self titled as my favorite, but i also love the following few almost as much. I believe i have everything (or close to) up to Power. Im told i dont need to go further than that, but of course I'm still curious.

[@mikestanshillporter4425]

Great review! This is awesome!

[@rickpeuser233]

Pete rocks! Love his reviews!

[@JasonSositko]

I have gone through the first 8 albums twice now. Imo Kansas is the first neo prog band. I am surprised there would be any question about their prog credentials. When I listen to Modern neo prog and fusion I here elements of Kansas. Was a real eye opener. Great production, complexity and heavy rock.

[@matthewfeduzi4751]

Pete, another great run down. Again learning about albums I didn’t know existed. Could you please do your top ten Jethro Tull albums ?

[@donaldkennedy9573]

I just wish classic Rock Radio would play "Magnum Opus" more. All they play is Carry on Wayward Son. That song has been overplayed to death.

[@gkirms]

Who even listens to the radio anymore? I haven't listened to the radio in 20 years. There are so many great groups out there today that will never be played on the radio. As I always say the best music out there you will never find on the radio including Kansas. Yes they play their hits and that's about all they'll do staying within their limited confines and disappointing their fans. But that's radio.

[@donaldkennedy9573]

@@gkirms I actually find a lot of new stuff on KZbin. Quite a few years ago MySpace was great with new music. But that site got ruined very fast. KZbin is much better all the time. I find new music on here all the time.

[@RickNBacker]

@@gkirms I could have written this comment, word for word.

[@RussDRocker]

Donald Kennedy agreed. That whole album is radio friendly.

[@nickavenoso7851]

Donald Kennedy yeah I’m sick of hearing Carry On Wayward Son, play something else lol.

[@GUR-ARYEA]

And allso...steve wallsh is one of the best rock vocalist of all times.

[@tosse2011]

Nice singing dude... Loner!! 😀... Your videos are amazing... Hope for new once in the future

[@planetbarrett6055]

My Top 5 Kansas Albums! 5. Masque 4. Leftoverture 3. Song for America 2. Point of Know Return 1. Kansas That Debut Album Rocks!

[@rolovi30]

Awesome ranking! Totally agree!

[@patriotpizzaman]

I thought you were right the first time in regards to Audio Visions. It was the last great album from Kansas. I love that album and it is indeed my favorite Kansas album. I used to crank side one and sing along in my room quite often when this came out. I originally had only Kansas' Greatest hits and Audio Visions. I was into greatest hits huge but, the albums they came from eluded me for a long time. There was so much new music coming out at that time and I was spending every dime I could scrape together to keep up with the burgeoning Neo-Classical scene and the Thrash Metal scene.

[@tepidtooth8539]

Saw them last fall, one of the best shows I've been to, hoping to see them again with Foreigner this summer. Kerry, Steve and Robbie may be gone, but they are still amazing live I would highly recommend

[@marciopainhas5828]

Top top prog-rock band. Another of my best of all times. Unique style with awesome violin songs. My top three albums are: Leftoverture, Point of no Return, and Monolith.

[@edwardwilliams333]

Leftoverture is also my favorite. You can hear Steve Walsh on Steve Hackett’s Please Don’t Touch album with the songs Narnia and Racing in A

[@resistor27]

I'll have to check that out.

[@HotRockinJohnny]

Long Time Kansas fan here...fantastic band with so many great songs...well crafted songs with deep thought-provoking lyrics...excellent musicians...and top notch vocals from Steve Walsh & Robby Steinhardt - two of the best vocalists of the classic rock age. This was hard, but this is how I ranked their first 10 albums... 1. Point of Know Return 2. Leftoverture 3. Masque 4. Kansas 5. Song for America 6. Monolith 7. Audio-Visions 8. Vinyl Confessions 9. Drastic Measures 10. Power I'm also a big fan of Kerry Livgren and his band AD 1983 - 1988 and all his solo work. Also, you should check out, if you haven't heard, Kerry Livgren's ''Seeds Of Change'' - his first solo album that features two songs with Ronnie James Dio - also featuring guest appearances by Kansas members: Steve Walsh, Phil Ehart and Robby Steinhardt & members of LeRoux, Jethro Tull, Ambrosia, and Atlanta Rhythm Section. (Released in 1980) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeds_of_Change_(album)

[@db321g]

Love Seeds of Change

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Song: Play the Game Tonight ( turn up the volume ) on that one !!! As far as Album = Leftoverture was their Masterpiece.

[@YouBetterYouBet]

My top five: 1. Drastic Measures 2. Vinyl Confessions 3. Audio Visions 4. In The Spirit Of Things 5. Monolith

[@jerryattwooll4864]

Love Kansas. Own all the studio albums and a few of the live albums. I enjoy them all, but I do have a preference for the early original 6 piece line up albums. My ranking of my top 10 favourites. 1 Leftoverture 2 Masque 3 Point of No Return 4. Monolith 5 Audio Visions 6 Song For America 7 Power 8 Kansas 9 in The Spirit of Things 10 Somewhere to Elsewhere These are my 10 favourites, but I like both the Elefante albums and the latest as well, just not as much as my top 10.

[@markholmes2357]

Excellent stuff Pete! 1) Leftoverture 2) Point of no Return 3) A Song for America 4) Kansas 5) Masque

[@howie5th]

I took a lot of heat in high school for liking Kansas. I've always stuck up for them. I'm glad to see that a rock aficionado/critic like yourself loves Kansas as well. 1. Leftoverture (this is my #2 favorite album of all time). 2. Song For America 3. Point of Know Return 4. Audio-Visions 5. Masque 6. Monolith

[@TravisClan]

When I saw Kansas back in May the started with People of the South Wind

[@larrycoker8093]

One of my 3 favorite Kansas songs!

[@styxmartinfan5]

People of the southwind was too short!!! I want to be at least 8 minutes.

[@rockerz57]

Good job ranking this fantastic bands catalog.

[@chuckazeee]

That debut album. "Journey From Mariabronn" absolute killer!

[@zd4v1d]

Great ordering! Leftoverture comes out on top for me as well.

[@deanmentjes7774]

Great list, thanks!

[@DonHornsby]

Hey Pete. I am complete agreement. I have an emotional connection to Monolith - but considering their complete discography - I agree. I was able to see them last year in Seattle - and it was awesome.

[@joejagger7553]

"TWO FOR THE SHOW" ... is all you need to fall in LOVE with nearly all the other "stuff" ... AND THERE WAS NEVER A BETTER LIVE ALBUM FOR ME !!!!!!!!!! -----

[@martinkulkarni3569]

Absolutely agree! Greatest live album ever recorded!

[@markpettross8774]

The 1st lp blew my mind completely when I 1st heard it. I was 18, still listen to it today!

[@JimRye-k8z]

Ah, one my all-time favorite bands. Thanks for the video. 1. Leftoverture - no contest 2. Song for America 3. Masque 4. Kansas 5. Point of Know Return 6. Monolith 7. Prelude Implicit 8. Freaks of Nature 9. Somewhere to Elsewhere 10. Drastic Measures 11. In the Spirit of Things 12. Power 13. Audio Visions 14. Vinyl Confessions

[@JimRye-k8z]

@@chrischoir3594 Well, you have to understand, I like ALL these albums. Audio-Visions has several great songs, but the production is overly compressed to my ear. It was cutting-edge in a way, being among the first albums in the early 80's to have that sound. Vinyl Confessions suffers from the same thing. Drastic Measures has it too, but I have a kind of sentimental attachment to that one.

[@katesjanice]

Somewhere to Elsewhere was recorded in Kerry's studio at his home in Topeka, with all the guys there except Steve Walsh, who recorded the vocals somewhere in Georgia and sent the track to Kerry who mixed it.

[@SwisstedChef2018]

Thanks. Pete to give Vinyl Confessions a good ranking. I love that album. Some Kansas albums are a bit to "nervous" and erratic for me. I am going to see their 50 Anniversary tour, cant wait.

[@misterrickschannel2238]

A dear old friend of mine, Denise de la Cerda, is the artist who did the cover art for The Prelude Implicit.

[@katesjanice]

And for Absence of Presence

[@Realbillball]

Good show. Pretty much agree with the list.

[@brucemacfarlane8187]

the absence of presence tops them all. i'd like to hear more like this.

[@sherryraisbeck9547]

You should do your top 10 most worn/favorite t-shirts, and least worn...everybody loves em🎼🎧🎼....great list...my top 3 are the same as yours!!...thats a first, lol!

[@81peabody]

My top 5: 5. Monolith 4. Point of Know Return 3. Song for America 2. Leftoverture 1. Masque

[@becin2107]

Great material as always. For me also a great source of knowledge about Kansas discography. P.S. How is that possible Pete that all those cd cases look like brand new? :) Mine are scratched as f..k

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Because I take good care of them and don't throw and leave them all around the house or car.

[@becin2107]

@@seaoftranquilityprog me neither, in my case I think I blame poor storage. Quite squeezed in drawers at the moment. Need to build stack like yours.

[@paulayers1111]

“No One Together” is a HUGE favorite for me. You can hear that they still have their prog influences even on that album

[@Craig-dv3ji]

My comment to him was to listen to that song again. He's forgotten. That song is so mega-mindblowing.

[@ricksands2210]

Kerry wrote some amazing material, but "No One Together" is one of his very best.

[@thirdofnever]

Prelude Implicit was the first Kansas album I purchased. Love that album.