Masque (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Masque
Type = Album
Artist = Kansas


Released = September 1975
Recorded = at Studio in the Country, Bogalusa, LA
Genre = Progressive Rock
Length = 40:49
Label = Kirshner
Producer = Jeff Glixman,
Jeff Magid
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:le2ibks96akc~T1 link]
Last album = "Song for America"
(1975)
This album = "Masque"
(1975)
Next album = "Leftoverture"
(1976)

"Masque" is the third album by US rock band Kansas, released in 1975 (see 1975 in music).

On the heels of their "Song For America" album, Kirshner Records began to apply pressure to the band for a hit single. After some discussion amongst the band members, Kansas decided on a compromise and went to work on their third album, "Masque". Vocalist Steve Walsh contributed a few shorter, more accessible songs to the mix, but Kerry Livgren's dark epics retained much of the style from the previous recording. Although the collection contains some fan favorites such as "Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel", "The Pinnacle", and the Walsh-penned "All The World", the shorter songs failed to impress radio audiences.

Track listing

#"It Takes a Woman's Love (To Make a Man)" (Walsh) – 3:08
#"Two Cents Worth" (Livgren, Walsh) – 3:08
#"Icarus--Borne on Wings of Steel" (Livgren, Walsh) – 6:03
#"All the World" (Steinhardt, Walsh) – 7:11
#"Child of Innocence" (Livgren) – 4:36
#"It's You" (Walsh) – 2:31
#"Mysteries and Mayhem" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:18
#"The Pinnacle" (Livgren) – 9:44

Personnel

*Phil Ehart - percussion, drums
*Dave Hope - bass
*Kerry Livgren - acoustic guitar, guitar, piano, rhythm guitar, keyboard, clavinet, Moog synthesizer, ARP
*Robby Steinhardt - violin, vocals
*Steve Walsh - organ, piano, conga, keyboard, vocals, clavinet, Moog synthesizer
*Rich Williams - guitar

Additional personnel
*Earl Lon Price - saxophone

Production

*Producers: Jeff Glixman, Jeff Magid
*Arranger: Kansas
*Cover art: Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)