| Point of Know Return | |||||
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| Studio album by Kansas | |||||
| Released | September 1977 | ||||
| Recorded | June-July 1977 at Woodland Sound, Nashville, TN and Studio In The Country, Bogalusa, LA |
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| Genre | Progressive Rock | ||||
| Length | 43:59 | ||||
| Label | Kirshner | ||||
| Producer | Jeff Glixman | ||||
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| Kansas chronology | |||||
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Point of Know Return is the fifth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977 (see 1977 in music). 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'd be able 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 with nationally-syndicated radio host Redbeard on the weekly rockumentary series In the Studio with Redbeard (edition #849, week of 9/27/04) that he had been something of a prima donna at this point. The other members of the group talked him into returning and the sessions continued. As with the previous album, it was a last-minute addition to the track line-up that would prove to be a huge success. Kerry Livgren had been practicing with his acoustic guitar, working on a chord progression that he had written as a finger exercise. His wife, Vicci, happened to hear what he was doing and remarked that the melody was nice and that he should write lyrics for it. The result was a short song called "Dust in the Wind". Again, Livgren was unsure as to whether his fellow band members would like it, since Kansas was not known for acoustic ballads. Needless to say, the song was recorded, securing Kansas's place in the annals of classic rock.
Contents |
A Detailed Description
Point of Know Return begins with a brief song of the same title, clocking in at 3:12. It was a later addition to the album, along with giving the album its name. After this track is "Paradox," in which the violin takes center stage as a solo instrument in an extension of the prototypical Kansas style. Following is the disjointed instrumental "The Spider," composed by Steve Walsh and so named for its alleged likeness to the arachnid. This piece segues into a Albert Einstein, "Portrait (He Knew)." "Portrait" is a straightforward collection of rock riffs and somewhat strained phrases, building upon a relentless theme and weaving a unique patchwork of counterpoint. "Closet Chronicles" is a Howard Hughes allegory, which is an unusual subject for a progressive rock epic. Nonetheless, this song includes a truly unique instrumental break and makes use of the contrasting vocal timbres of Steve Walsh and Robby Steinhardt. Next is a somewhat dated generic rock tune called "Lightning's Hand." In this song, Steinhardt attempts vocal caricatures similar to Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins in their respective tenures in the British progressive rock group Genesis. Following this song is the work by which many listeners judge the band, "Dust In The Wind." The song in no way reflects any other song in the entire Kansas canon, particularly because of its sparse acoustic nature. In this song the band explores the prospect of death and the insignificance of one lifetime in the endless thread of time. "Sparks Of The Tempest" comments upon the cyclical nature of rebellion and the claim of power through a purely Kansas-esque brand of accessible rock. "Nobody's Home" chronicles an alien encounter with the world of a fallen civilization, and reflects the pensive atmosphere of "Dust." This song makes effective use of Robby Steinhardt's skill on the violin, particularly in the climax of the instrumental break. The album closes with "Hopelessly Human," a progressive epic in the vein of those on Leftoverture. The piece features many instrumental solos.
Cultural impact
In the 1989 movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Ted (Keanu Reeves) may be referring to the "Dust in the Wind" lyrics "all we are is dust in the wind" as he said, "All we are is dust in the wind, dude", where he and Bill (Alex Winter) met Socrates while travelling back in history. "Dust in the Wind" is featured in an episode of The Simpsons in which Bart realizes he is not a child anymore. In an episode of the cult TV series Freaks and Geeks, "Dust in the Wind" is played in the background of a scene in which a character talks about the death of John Bonham. In the movie, Old School actor Will Ferrell, sings the song "Dust in the Wind" at his friend Blue's funeral.
Track listing
- "Point of Know Return" (Ehart, Steinhardt, Walsh) – 3:13
- "Paradox" (Livgren, Walsh) – 3:50
- "The Spider" (Walsh) – 2:03
- "Portrait (He Knew)" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:38
- "Closet Chronicles" (Livgren, Walsh) – 6:32
- "Lightning's Hand" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:24
- "Dust in the Wind" (Livgren) – 3:28
- "Sparks of the Tempest" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:18
- "Nobody's Home" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:40
- "Hopelessly Human" (Livgren) – 7:09
- "Sparks of the Tempest*" [live] (Livgren, Walsh) – 5:17
- "Portrait (He Knew)*" [remix] (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:49
Tracks 11 and 12 are only on the 2002 remaster
- * notes previously unreleased tracks.
Personnel
- Phil Ehart - percussion, chimes, drums, gong, tympani
- Dave Hope - bass
- Kerry Livgren - synthesizer, acoustic guitar, guitar, percussion, piano, electric guitar, keyboard, clavinet, Rinaldo whistling machine
- Robby Steinhardt - violin, cello, viola, vocals, lap cello
- Steve Walsh - organ, synthesizer, percussion, piano, celeste, keyboard, vocals, vibraphone, Peabody chromatic inverter
- Rich Williams - acoustic guitar, guitar, electric guitar
Additional personnel
- Rick Williams - pedals
Production
- Producer: Jeff Glixman
- Engineers: Terry Becker, Jeff Glixman
- Mastering: George Marino
- Arranger: Kansas
- Art direction: Tom Drennon
- Cover art concept: Kansas
- Cover design: Rod Dyer
- Artwork: Peter Lloyd
- Artwork: Bob Maile
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Pop Albums | 4 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | "Point Of Know Return" | Pop Singles | 28 |
| 1978 | "Dust In The Wind" | Pop Singles | 6 |
| 1978 | "Portrait (He Knew)" | Pop Singles | 64 |
| Kansas |
|---|
| Phil Ehart | Billy Greer | David Ragsdale | Steve Walsh | Richard Williams |
| Dave Hope | Kerry Livgren | Robby Steinhardt | John Elefante | Steve Morse | Greg Robert |
| Discography |
| Studio albums: Kansas | Song for America | Masque | Leftoverture | Point of Know Return | Monolith | Audio-Visions | Vinyl Confessions | Drastic Measures | Power | In the Spirit of Things | Freaks of Nature | Always Never the Same | Somewhere to Elsewhere |
| Live albums: Two for the Show | Live at the Whisky | King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas | Device, Voice, Drum |
| Compilations: The Best of Kansas | Carry On |The Kansas Boxed Set | The Best of Kansas (expanded) | The Ultimate Kansas | Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection | On the Other Side | Works in Progress |
