The second album of Kansas is an album which, if it is of very good quality, was not necessarily perceived as a revolution when it was released. This judgement will perhaps appear severe to the fans, but it is necessary to note that the whole of the compositions of this album corresponds completely to the image that one can have of the musical deliriums of the middle of the 70's. Steve Walsh and his acolytes serve us here very honourable compositions for a second try, alternating between pure rock as we liked to practice it then ('Down The Road') and more convoluted pieces such as the one which will give its title to the album.
Technically, it doesn't go very far, always in the spirit of the 70's, and it is also what allows the album to be pleasant to listen to. While we are more and more accustomed to technical delirium mixing 6-string bass, double pedal and fast tempi, listening to "Song For America" takes us back to a time when technique was above all at the service of melody and where it was more a question of showing one's musical talent than one's dexterity.
The general construction of the songs is in the purest tradition of the progressive rock of the time: a long declined theme and strewn with multiple breaks and delirious soli. However, Kansas surprises the listener by showing new ideas, like the track 'Lonely Street' which, although being a classic blues, is in fact built on a rhythm in 11 pulses which gives it a completely wobbly character.
Finally, on the level of the production, we are still obviously in the 70s. The sound is typical of this era and other details regularly confirm it: the sound of the organ or even the use of the violin as a leading instrument.
Even if you are not a big fan of the 70's, this album is interesting for several reasons. First of all because Kansas is still one of those bands that strongly inspired many of today's bands. Secondly, because it is certainly a good way to change the horizon from time to time.