Kansas - Point Of Know Return (1977)

"Point Of Know Return" is the fifth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977.

On This is recording, includes their most famous tune, "Dust in the Wind." The band is in peak form and also churned out the single "Point of Know Return," which is still played daily on classic rock stations.

The huge success of Kansas's previous effort, "Leftoverture", brought a new kind of pressure. While they were no longer desperately poor and starving for a hit, the band wondered whether they would be able to build on or, at least, maintain the level of achievement the years of recording and touring had brought them. The sessions for their follow-up LP, "Point of Know Return", were filled with tension as singer/songwriter Steve Walsh, who had always been uncomfortable with the artistic direction of the band, left the group briefly. Years later, Walsh would admit in an interview that he had been something of a prima donna at this point.

While their pop-oriented approach and standard rock guitar sound helped define the classic rock sound of the '70s, careful listening reveals that this band's talent goes beyond colleagues such as Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Boston. Their arrangements and time signatures more accurately reflect the music of Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. "Paradox" and "The Spider" are both excellent examples of their progressive approach.
Unfortunately, the band always struggled to maintain a healthy balance of progression combined with pop. That made for such awkward moments here as "Portrait (He Knew)" and "Lightning's Hand." Yet despite the minor inconsistencies and a dated sound, their interplay and superior musicianship make this both an essential classic rock and progressive rock recording.

Track listing

01.  Point of Know Return  (Phil Ehart, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh)  - 3:13

02.  Paradox  (Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh)  - 3:50

03.  The Spider  (Walsh)  - 2:05

04.  Portrait (He Knew)  (Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh)  - 4:38

05.  Closet Chronicles  (Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh)  - 6:31

06.  Lightning's Hand  (Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh)  - 4:24

07.  Dust in the Wind  (Livgren)  - 3:28

08.  Sparks of the Tempest  (Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh)  - 4:18

09.  Nobody's Home  (Kerry Livgren, Steve Walsh)  - 4:40

10.  Hopelessly Human  (Livgren)  - 7:17

Released:  October 11, 1977

Recorded at:  Woodland Sound, Nashville, TN and Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, LA

Genre:  Progressive rock

Length:  43:59

Label:  Epic

Producer:  Jeff Glixman

Personnel

Phil Ehart - drums, timpani, chimes, additional percussion

Dave Hope - bass

Kerry Livgren - synthesizers, piano, electric and acoustic guitars, additional percussion

Robby Steinhardt - violins, viola, backing vocals, lead vocals

Steve Walsh - organ, synthesizers, vibraphone, piano, lead vocals, backing vocals, additional percussion

Rich Williams - electric and acoustic guitars