Kansas Point of Know Return Half-Speed Mastered CBS 1977/1980

Kansas Point of Know Return Half-Speed Mastered CBS 1977/1980 CAT #HZ 44929

I've discussed this LP before, it's Kansas' masterpiece, there most well thought out LP and it's got the hits.

This version differs in that it's a CBS Half-Speed Remaster that came out in 1980. In the 70's, Mobil Fidelity Sound Lab began to remaster titles at half speed and make limited runs on high quality vinyl. Better known as MoFi, the records sound great and are considered audiophile releases, sold at a premium and still command a significant amount today. They started a trend and the majors attempted to latch onto audiophile trend. Obvisouly, someone thought enough of Kansas to press up some audiophile copies.

Problem is that while an album like 'Point of Know Return' deserves an audiophile pressing, CBS' process wasn't anywhere as good as the MoFi releases. There are some Half-Speed CBS records that aren't any better, possibly worst than the original pressing. This pressing isn't terrible, but it's not great either. It's really bright and thin, which brings out a lot of keyboards well, but other areas suffer. It's generally panned as a terrible audiophile press, but I would still argue it's listenable (there's a CBS Self-Titled Boston LP that is absolute garbage and this isn't on that level of suckitude).

Surprisingly, despite that most experts will say stay away from this and most other CBS Half-Speed pressings, a copy still demands a premium over a clean original. Apparently the thought of having something marked audiophile outweighs the quality to some people.

Orphann Dan't Say No Omi Records 1980

Orphann Dan't Say No Omi Records 1980 CAT# OMI M 00032

Orphann was a Kansas City area hard rock group in the late-70's into the early 80's. Their first LP, Up For Adoption, is a bit more desirable, as it's bit heavier and possibly a bit more obscure than this.

Don't Say No is a potpourri of late-70's rock posturing. Easy categorization for the band is AOR. They're heavy on big guitars and solos, so big on the pomp rock. They do try to get creative from time to time, keyboards show up here and they try to sound a little less good time rock n' roll and more robotic, so there is also a slight prog influence, especially evident on the last two tracks of the LP, "Late Night Neighbors" and "In A Dream". Looking at this LP, it's looks like it should be an attempt at capturing the Tom Scholz's Boston sound and be an awful in the process. (Up For Adoption just looks like it should be amazing prog, tho). To an extent, Orphann was trying to capture some of that big time arena rock feel, but it doesn't turn out bad. Outside of dopey lyrical content, it's a pretty solid LP in terms of early 80's hard rock.

What is confusing is that the band recorded and played in KC. Yet, for this release, Omi is located in Los Angeles. The first LP shows Omi Records as a Kansas City based operation. Assuming then that this was Orphann's private label they must have packed up for California at some point after going as far as they could in KC.

Don't Say No

Kansas Monolith Kirshner 1979

Kansas Monolith Kirshner 1979 CAT #EZ 36008

The reviews on this are pretty dismissal. For the most part, they are also accurate. The album represents Kansas' transition from goofy American prog rock band to the American pomp rock band they played out in the 80's.

The band had become great players by this point, they just ran out of ideas. This evident on "How My Soul Cries Out For You," but it's so goofy, I don't think anyone is revisiting the track after a single listen. Moments border on catching onto songs like "Point of Know Return", but they fall short because they aim for radio play rather than the band's original material.

It's also got some sort of theme to it. Super-powered, futuristic Native Americans that are trying to keep the world afloat. I don't know, makes for cool album artwork, which is the best thing you can say about this album.

Also, if you can make it the second side, "Away From You", is pleasant for pomp-rock, but, yeah, not sure if it's worth it.

How My Soul Cries Out For You

The Exceptions Simply Us Private Unknown Year

The Exceptions Simply Us Private Unknown Year CAT# NR5232

Guessing by the sepia toned cover this came out in the late-70's, the sounds are about right.  There's an absurd amount of similar private albums nationwide for this type of thing.  Regionally successful bar bands, that were proficient players who just never found a specific style.  Regardless, they'd put out a collection of original material for fans and hoping someone would take notice.  The Exceptions fit this bill and hailed from Topeka, Kansas.

Virtually no one noticed.  These 70's variety private albums all seem to suffer from the same thing; no focus.  Sure, there are moments of cool guitar riffs, promises of some of some drum breaks, but it's mixed throughout and moves away too quickly.  Between wishy-washy piano-laced ballads, the Exceptions occasionally find a sun-laced 70's vibe with some bottom to it, but it stays really pop-based and never gets dirty.  There's also some out-place prog-influenced keyboards throughout, but again, it's just thrown in and doesn't ever find it's place.

The band has another release which still occasionally grabs a fair amount on eBay and such.  This one, not so much.  The band apparently still plays in Topeka as a variety review band, makes sense.  They are proficient enough to tackle all genres, just couldn't find one of their own based on this LP.

A Much Older Version of the Exceptions