This is the definitive Kansas recording and 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. 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.



Tracklist:

01. Point Of Know Return
02. Paradox
03. The Spider
04. Portrait (He Knew)
05. Closet Chronicles
06. Lightning's Hand
07. Dust In The Wind
08. Sparks Of The Tempest
09. Nobody's Home
10. Hopelessly Human
11. Sparks Of The Tempest (Live) onus track
12. Portrait (He Knew) (Remix Version) onus track