Masque (Kansas album)

Masque
Art by Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Studio album by Kansas
Released	September 1975
Recorded	Studio in the Country, Bogalusa, LA
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	40:49
Label	Kirshner
Producer	Jeff Glixman
Kansas chronology
Song for America (1975) Masque (1975) Leftoverture (1976)

Masque is the third album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1975. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001.

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 set, but Kerry Livgren's dark epics retained much of the style from the previous recording. The album is somewhat of a bridge between the heavier sound on Song for America and the more commercial direction of Leftoverture. Although the collection contains some fan favorites such as "Icarus - Borne on Wings of Steel", "The Pinnacle" and "All The World", the shorter songs failed to impress radio audiences. The opening track, "It Takes a Woman's Love (To Make a Man)", was remixed for increased radio airplay, but failed to gain attention.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Track listing

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

2001 CD reissue bonus tracks

9. "Child of Innocence" (Demo from the recording sessions) – 5:04
10. "It's You" (Demo from the recording sessions) – 2:41

Personnel

• Phil Ehart - drums, percussion
• Dave Hope - bass guitar
• Kerry Livgren - guitars, keyboards, vocals
• Robby Steinhardt - violin, lead vocals on tracks 5, 7, and 8
• Steve Walsh - keyboards, lead vocals
• Rich Williams - guitars

Additional personnel

• Earl Lon Price - saxophone on track 1

Production

• Producers: Jeff Glixman, Jeff Magid
• Engineer: Lee Peterzell
• Arranger: Kansas
• Cover art: Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1976	Pop Albums	70

References

1. ^ Adams, Bret. Masque (Kansas album) at Allmusic