Kansas – The Prelude Implicit (2016): A Definitive Album Guide
The Prelude Implicit, released on September 9, 2016, is the fifteenth studio album by American progressive rock band Kansas. This album marks a major comeback for the band, being their first studio release in 16 years since Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000). It reaffirms Kansas’ progressive rock roots while introducing new lineup elements and contemporary production, making it both a nostalgic and forward-looking release.
Album Overview
Produced by Zelenski & Kansas, The Prelude Implicit showcases a lineup featuring:
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Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards (new member)
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Rich Williams – guitar
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Billy Greer – bass, vocals
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David Ragsdale – violin, vocals
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Phil Ehart – drums
Notably, original members Steve Walsh and Kerry Livgren did not participate, making this a modern Kansas lineup. Despite these changes, the album retains the classic Kansas sound with intricate arrangements, violin, and melodic guitar work, appealing to long-time fans while attracting new listeners.
Musically, the album blends progressive rock epics, melodic hard rock, and symphonic textures, staying true to Kansas’ legacy while reflecting 21st-century production standards. Lyrically, it explores spirituality, personal reflection, and human resilience, themes consistent with Kansas’ career-long focus on introspective storytelling.
Tracklist
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With This Heart
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The Unsung Heroes
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Camouflage
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Rhythm in the Spirit
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Crowded Isolation
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Propulsion 1
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Propulsion 2
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Propulsion 3
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Propulsion 4
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The Song the River Sang
Album Credits
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Band Members:
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Ronnie Platt – lead vocals, keyboards
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Rich Williams – guitar
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Billy Greer – bass, vocals
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David Ragsdale – violin, vocals
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Phil Ehart – drums
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Production:
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Produced by: Kansas & Zachary Johnson (Zelenski & team)
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Engineered and mixed at: Axis Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
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Artwork:
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The cover features a symbolic, cosmic-inspired landscape with a sunrise over mountains, representing renewal, continuity, and the “implicit” prelude to new musical chapters.
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Commercial Performance & Grossing Info
The Prelude Implicit was well-received commercially for a band returning after a long hiatus:
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US Billboard 200: Peaked at No. 36
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US Billboard Top Rock Albums: Peaked at No. 8
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Estimated worldwide sales of ~50,000–75,000 copies
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Singles like “With This Heart” and “Crowded Isolation” received limited progressive rock radio play
This strong performance reflects Kansas’ enduring fanbase and the anticipation for new material from a classic band.
Critical Reception
Critics praised the album for recapturing Kansas’ classic progressive rock essence while successfully modernizing the sound. Reviews highlighted the tight musicianship, strong vocals from Ronnie Platt, and masterful violin work from David Ragsdale, noting that the band stayed true to their roots without sounding outdated.
Some reviewers pointed out that while the album lacks the original lineup’s historical mystique, it remains a credible and compelling Kansas release, bridging the gap between old and new eras.
Fun Facts
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“The Song the River Sang” is a sweeping, 11-minute epic, reminiscent of Kansas’ 1970s progressive compositions.
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Ronnie Platt, the new lead vocalist, received widespread acclaim for his ability to handle both powerful rock vocals and tender, melodic passages.
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The album includes a four-part suite, “Propulsion 1–4,” showcasing Kansas’ progressive side with complex time signatures and instrumental interplay.
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The Prelude Implicit is considered a spiritual successor to Kansas’ 1970s concept-style albums, emphasizing storytelling and thematic cohesion.
Trivia
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The album marked the first Kansas studio release without either Steve Walsh or Kerry Livgren since 1970.
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Kansas intentionally revisited their classic sound and instrumentation, including violin, Hammond organ-style keyboards, and layered guitars.
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“Crowded Isolation” and “Camouflage” became fan favorites during the 2016 tour supporting the album.
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The album title reflects a metaphorical prelude to the next chapter of Kansas’ long and evolving career.
Did You Know?
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Did you know The Prelude Implicit was Kansas’ highest-charting studio album in the US since Vinyl Confessions (1982)?
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Did you know the four-part “Propulsion” suite was inspired by Kansas’ early progressive rock experiments from the 1970s?
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Did you know this album reintroduced violin as a central instrument, a hallmark of Kansas’ classic sound?
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Did you know fans widely consider this album a “return to form,” celebrating Kansas’ 45+ year legacy while introducing new talent?
