Right out of the gate on this self-titled inaugural,
Shooting Star
brings on the schmaltz but gets away with it because the tracks exhibit so much heart. Most of these well-aimed cuts concern surviving and prospering. Expert musicianship propels this Kansas City sextet through the general
rock
heartland on a holy crusade. No one else could have made
"Just Friends"
so poignant yet positive.
"Tonight"
is most excellent, the violin creating a
pop
Kansas
(but way cooler). The porch-swinger
"Rainfall"
recalls prime
Poco
, and
"Midnight Man"
burns better than the
James Gang
number of the same name. At the end of the rainbow waits
"Last Chance,"
flat-out one of the finest songs ever -- kettle drums, strings, and guitars build to a crescendo that will bring tears. This song ties with
"When the Levee Breaks"
as the greatest album-closer of all time (nullified by the CD reissue, which adds the worthy
"Wild in the Streets"
).
doesn't get enough credit. ~ Doug Stone