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With a cracking four piece ensemble
Steve Walsh lead vocalist of Kansas rocks out with a hard
rock flourish on his new album “Shadowman”. While it might
lack the drama and larger than life material that dominates
much of Kansas’ output, it more than makes up for that through
sheer invention, memorable melodies and outstanding playing.
Walsh and his band make quite an entertaining album. Those
expecting a Kansas like album will probably be disappointed
but those expecting the unexpected from Walsh and a lot of
musical invention will be pleased with the album if they give
it a chance. Certainly the lbum lacks the balance of another
songwriter like Kerry Livgren might have brought to the table
but taken on its own it’s a fine solo album and unexpectedly
fun to listen to. ***
“Rise” opens up with the atmospherics
one might expect to find on an art rock album by Brian Eno
mixing a subdued synthesizer along with minimal percussion
before bursting to life. “Shadowman” is infectious with a
vocal that sounds as if Walsh is channeling the 70’s guru
of rock Robert Plant. “Davey and the Stone That Rolled Away”
plows more familiar prog rock turf with an inventive melody
and Walsh’s charged vocal. “Keep on Knockin’” sounds like
the typical rock boogie of Aerosmith. “Pages of Old” is a
fascinating ballad featuring Walsh, the sound of guitar and
a percolating bit of percussion with touches of synthesizer
in the background. “Hell Is For Heroes” allws Walsh to rock
out although the percussion sounds firmly entrenched in the
80’s the guitar is pure 90’s hard rock and backs Walsh’s distinctive
wail very well. “After” piles synthesizer effects on top of
each other before the song breaks with a rollicking metal
riff that drills itself into your brain. The closing track
“The River” combines the larger than life balladry that we’ve
come to expect from Kansas. We may not be in Kansas anymore
but we’re pretty darn close to the territory Toto. All the
hallmarks of Walsh’s songwriting with that band are on display
here. ***
The music itself is an unusual mishmash
of the 70’s pomp rock that was popular when Kansas first started
out married with the slicker production values of the 80’s
and the power chord progressions of 90’s metal. One thing
is for certain Walsh hasn’t mellowed with age those expecting
middle of the road ballads dominating the proceedings will
be surprised.
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