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The Absence of Presence [2LP/CD]
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The Absence of Presence [2LP/CD] in Bloomington, MN
Current price: $60.99
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Size: CD
In 2016, America's eternally popular prog juggernaut
Kansas
returned to studio recording for the first time since their 2000 reunion outing
Somewhere to Elsewhere
. The resultant
The Prelude Implicit
also marked debuts for lead vocalist/keyboardist
Ronnie Platt
, and guitarist
Zak Rizvi
. Remarkably, it reflected the band's vintage sonic signature and songwriting/arranging chops without craven nostalgia. Four years on,
Absence of Presence
builds on the strengths of its predecessor, yet goes far deeper into the prog aesthetic.
' popularity is based on the canny balance of meaty prog and radio-friendly melodic rock. Here, that strategy is more prevalent than on
.
The title-track opener juxtaposes
David Ragsdale
's omnipresent violin (
is the only American band with this trademark), chunky, hard rock guitars from
Rich Williams
and
Rivzi
, new member
Tom Brislin
's arpeggiated and rhythmically rich keyboards, a prodding bassline from
Billy Greer
, and majestic drumming from
Phil Ehart
, all spiraling into a commanding prog jam.
Platt
's singing, while not similar to retired member
Steve Walsh
's, is crystalline, evocative, and deeply expressive. "Throwing Mountains" intros with thunderous guitars and attenuated violin fills before
delivers wide-eyed hopeful lyrics that acknowledge adversity as a necessary stage in triumph. Second single "Jets Overhead" offers a gorgeous synth hook as its melodic frame. The twinned electric guitar riffs and processional tom-toms underscore
Ragsdale
's violin and the droning bassline to usher the set's most memorable track. Cleverly,
follow with "Propulsion 1," an explosive, labyrinthine instrumental. Given the COVID-19 world this album emerges in, "Memories Down the Line" is eerily prescient. A signature
power ballad, its lyrics reflect the end of civilization as we know it: "Send these memories down the line/Our trials and tribulations/Send these memories down the line/And let them know we tried/Lessons locked insideâ?¦." While the philosophical melancholy and existential angst remain in "Circus of Illusion," the music is more aggressive, knotty, and yes, hooky. "Animals on the Roof" is a forceful and dramatic prog number driven by
Ehart
. The power-riffing guitars and
's swirling violin meet syncopated rhythms as
rises above the maelstrom. While "Never" is a graceful, anthemic paean to self-determination and redemption, closer "The Song the River Sang" follows more intimate and intricate terrain before erupting into passionate prog. The band wind bluesy, metallic guitars into colliding synths and clavinets, ambient sounds, and chunky rock grooves. Fans will find
a welcome addition to
' catalog that is indeed comparable to their best recordings. For non-followers, it is both a musically and stylistically excellent example of 21st century American prog rock. ~ Thom Jurek
Kansas
returned to studio recording for the first time since their 2000 reunion outing
Somewhere to Elsewhere
. The resultant
The Prelude Implicit
also marked debuts for lead vocalist/keyboardist
Ronnie Platt
, and guitarist
Zak Rizvi
. Remarkably, it reflected the band's vintage sonic signature and songwriting/arranging chops without craven nostalgia. Four years on,
Absence of Presence
builds on the strengths of its predecessor, yet goes far deeper into the prog aesthetic.
' popularity is based on the canny balance of meaty prog and radio-friendly melodic rock. Here, that strategy is more prevalent than on
.
The title-track opener juxtaposes
David Ragsdale
's omnipresent violin (
is the only American band with this trademark), chunky, hard rock guitars from
Rich Williams
and
Rivzi
, new member
Tom Brislin
's arpeggiated and rhythmically rich keyboards, a prodding bassline from
Billy Greer
, and majestic drumming from
Phil Ehart
, all spiraling into a commanding prog jam.
Platt
's singing, while not similar to retired member
Steve Walsh
's, is crystalline, evocative, and deeply expressive. "Throwing Mountains" intros with thunderous guitars and attenuated violin fills before
delivers wide-eyed hopeful lyrics that acknowledge adversity as a necessary stage in triumph. Second single "Jets Overhead" offers a gorgeous synth hook as its melodic frame. The twinned electric guitar riffs and processional tom-toms underscore
Ragsdale
's violin and the droning bassline to usher the set's most memorable track. Cleverly,
follow with "Propulsion 1," an explosive, labyrinthine instrumental. Given the COVID-19 world this album emerges in, "Memories Down the Line" is eerily prescient. A signature
power ballad, its lyrics reflect the end of civilization as we know it: "Send these memories down the line/Our trials and tribulations/Send these memories down the line/And let them know we tried/Lessons locked insideâ?¦." While the philosophical melancholy and existential angst remain in "Circus of Illusion," the music is more aggressive, knotty, and yes, hooky. "Animals on the Roof" is a forceful and dramatic prog number driven by
Ehart
. The power-riffing guitars and
's swirling violin meet syncopated rhythms as
rises above the maelstrom. While "Never" is a graceful, anthemic paean to self-determination and redemption, closer "The Song the River Sang" follows more intimate and intricate terrain before erupting into passionate prog. The band wind bluesy, metallic guitars into colliding synths and clavinets, ambient sounds, and chunky rock grooves. Fans will find
a welcome addition to
' catalog that is indeed comparable to their best recordings. For non-followers, it is both a musically and stylistically excellent example of 21st century American prog rock. ~ Thom Jurek
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