Kansas - Monolith

As a longtime fan of progressive rock, I always found Monolith by Kansas to be one of the band’s most underrated albums. Released in 1979, it captures Kansas during a period where they were balancing their classic symphonic prog sound with a more polished arena-rock approach. The album still delivers the strong musicianship and emotional depth the band was known for, especially through tracks like “People of the South Wind” and “A Glimpse of Home.”

What I like most about Monolith is the atmosphere. It feels darker and more reflective compared to some of Kansas’ earlier releases, but it still carries the powerful violin work, layered keyboards, and soaring vocals that define their sound. Even though the album received mixed reactions at the time, I think it has aged very well and deserves more appreciation from both Kansas fans and progressive rock listeners in general.

– Itai Tivoni