Kansas - Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000) | Album Analysis, Fun Facts & Trivia

Kansas - Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000)

Kansas – Somewhere to Elsewhere (2000): A Definitive Album Guide

Somewhere to Elsewhere, released in 2000, is the fourteenth studio album by American progressive rock band Kansas. This album is notable for reuniting most of the classic 1970s lineup, including Steve Walsh, Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams, Dave Hope, Phil Ehart, and Robby Steinhardt, making it a landmark release that bridges Kansas’ classic era with their modern sound.

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Album Overview

Produced by Zelenski & Kansas and recorded at Axis Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, Somewhere to Elsewhere embraces a progressive rock foundation while incorporating modern production values. The album blends Kansas’ trademark melodic arrangements, violin-driven textures, and guitar interplay with reflective lyrics, creating a sense of continuity with their 1970s masterpieces.

Kerry Livgren, who had returned to contribute, serves as the primary songwriter, while Steve Walsh leads the vocals. Robby Steinhardt returns on violin and vocals, restoring a key element of the band’s classic sound. Billy Greer provides bass and backing vocals for the lineup continuity.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of self-discovery, hope, change, and spiritual reflection, making it a conceptually cohesive work that celebrates Kansas’ musical heritage while remaining relevant to contemporary audiences.

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Tracklist

1. Somewhere to Elsewhere

2. Remember the Tempest

3. One Man, One Heart

4. I Can Fly

5. Need to Know

6. Play the Game Tonight (re-recorded)

7. Light

8. Never

9. Around the Bend

10. Camouflage

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Album Credits

• Band Members:

  • Steve Walsh – lead vocals, keyboards

  • Kerry Livgren – guitars, keyboards

  • Rich Williams – guitar

  • Dave Hope – bass

  • Phil Ehart – drums

  • Robby Steinhardt – violin, vocals

  • Billy Greer – bass, backing vocals

• Production:

  • Produced by: Kansas & Jeff Glixman

  • Engineered by: Zelenski & team

  • Recorded at: Axis Studios, Atlanta, Georgia

• Artwork:

  • The cover depicts a surreal, cosmic landscape with a horizon leading to unknown realms, symbolizing exploration and the album’s reflective title.

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Commercial Performance & Grossing Info

Somewhere to Elsewhere had modest commercial success, catering mainly to Kansas’ long-standing fanbase:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart

• Sales estimated at ~50,000–75,000 copies worldwide

• Singles like the title track received limited radio airplay but were popular among progressive rock enthusiasts

Despite low mainstream commercial impact, the album was celebrated for its return of the classic lineup and cohesive progressive style.

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Critical Reception

Critics praised Somewhere to Elsewhere for its musical craftsmanship, strong songwriting, and the reunion of the classic lineup. The album was lauded as a return to form, emphasizing progressive arrangements, melodic instrumentation, and thematic continuity.

Some reviewers noted that while the album did not break new ground commercially, it successfully recaptured the spirit of Kansas’ 1970s peak.

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Fun Facts

• The album marked the return of violinist Robby Steinhardt after years of absence, restoring Kansas’ classic sound.

• Kerry Livgren contributed his signature spiritual and philosophical songwriting, blending old and new themes.

• “Play the Game Tonight” was re-recorded for this album as a nod to fans of Kansas’ 1980s era.

• The album was intentionally designed as a bridge between Kansas’ classic and modern periods.

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Trivia

• “Remember the Tempest” is a thematic continuation of Kansas’ classic track “The Tempest” from earlier albums.

• This album is one of the last Kansas releases to feature Dave Hope on bass.

• The cosmic and reflective imagery of the cover art mirrors the conceptual themes explored across the album.

• “Camouflage” closes the album with layered keyboards, guitar, and violin harmonies reminiscent of Kansas’ 1970s epics.

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Did You Know?

• Did you know Somewhere to Elsewhere reunites six out of seven members from Kansas’ classic lineup?

• Did you know this album contains both new songs and re-recorded versions of earlier hits, connecting the band’s past and present?

• Did you know Robby Steinhardt’s violin makes a strong return, featuring prominently in several tracks, including the title track?

• Did you know the album was meant to celebrate Kansas’ 30th anniversary as a band?

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