Description
Time Line is the debut album by the American progressive rock band A.D., a band project initiated by Kerry Livgren of Kansas fame (the album is actually credited “Kerry Livgren AD” on the cover), released in the US on CBS Associated Records in 1984, manufactured and distributed by CBS Records. Also distributed in the Christian marketplace by Myrrh Records, a division of Word. As well released in Europe on Epic, distributed by CBS Records. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Kerry Livgren for Grandy Zine Productions at Camp Dunwoody Studios in Dunwoody, Georgia; between June 1983 and February 1984. (Mixed on the DBX 700 Digital Processor.) All songs written by Kerry Livgren except tracks A5 and B1 co-written with band member Mike Gleason and track A3 written by Gleason. Cover illustration by Rick Griffin. (If you rotate the album cover so that the album title is on the left side, you realize that Griffin actually put in a portrait of a Jesus figure.)
Kerry Livgren had recently left his band Kansas, and had started to work on his second solo album that morphed into this band project, named A.D., which features Michael Gleason on lead and background vocals, as well as keyboards and percussion; Warren Ham on lead and background vocals, as well as woodwinds and harmonica; Kerry Livgren on guitars, various new-fangled keyboards, DMX, as well as programming and bass; Dave Hope on bass; and Dennis Holt on drums and percussion, pastries and hah-hoo.
The ‘Seeds of Change‘ experience along with working with people like Warren Ham had whetted my appetite to work with other artists. I was also getting tired of the “corporate machine” that Kansas had become. It was a monster with a huge appetite, leaving little time for anything else. The Kansas recording budget seemed to consume our hard-earned money in what I thought was a very cumbersome and inefficient way. I was also re-evaluating my priorities since my daughter came into my life in 1981. It was hard enough being on the road when it was just Vicci and me, but we were now a family. All of these things were pointing toward a big change for me, one which was simultaneously exciting and frightening. My life had revolved around Kansas for so long that it was hard to imagine not being a part of it.
Dave Hope and I began to discuss and pray over these things almost every time we were together. An answer became evident to us about halfway through the recording of my second solo album, ‘Time Line’. A deal had been negotiated with CBS Records for me to do another solo project, and I had decided to use Dave on bass, with Warren Ham and Michael Gleason on vocals. Both of these men had previously work with Kansas as back-up musicians. I used a couple of different drummers, but a session player from Nashville, Dennis Holt, really fell into place. I was suddenly emerging from my writer’s desert, and found that Mike Gleason could contribute some interesting material as well.
The further we got into this album, the more apparent it became to everybody that what had begun as a solo effort by me was taking shape as a band. Everyone involved was a committed believer, and we shared musical tastes as well. Thus A.D. was born. [Kerry Livgren, Decade Box Set]
“I want you to know me,” reflects Kerry Livgren on ‘Time Line’, “but not as I have been.” ‘Seeds of Change‘, Livgren’s 1980 solo debut, and that year’s Kansas LP, ‘Audio-Visions’, brought Livgren’s newly established Christian faith to creative fruition. ‘Vinyl Confessions‘ seemed in 1982 to signal a new era for Kansas, an era that was brought to an abrupt halt with the disappointing ‘Drastic Measures‘ a year later. Although one might hesitate to suggest the obvious, there seems to be a clear correlation between the declining level of Livgren’s input (he wrote two-thirds of ‘Vinyl Confessions’ and one-third of ‘Drastic Measures’) and the declining artistic integrity and musical values of recent Kansas releases.
Now that Kansas has opted for more pedestrian sounds like those of Loverboy and Prism (bands that have opened for Kansas), Livgren has taken his creative compulsion elsewhere. Rather than fall into the AOR rut, Livgren seems to be striving along with the likes of Yes, Genesis, and Rush – to give ’70s art-rock stylings a sound that is vital and relevant for the ’80s.
Livgren led his new band AD – Kansas bassist Dave Hope, Warren Ham (who played horns on ‘Vinyl Confessions’ and Kansas’ ’82 tour), Michael Gleason on vocals and keyboards, and Dennis Holt on drums – into their corporate debut, ‘Time Line’.
‘Time Line’ is most exciting when viewed as a debut from a new musical entity, instead of as a reincarnated Kansas. AD gives a tight, genuinely proficient performance, although there are times when the group seems to lack a clear musical identity. Yet, all of the material is good, strong rock fare. Exciting musical moments abound. «New Age Blues» and «Tonight» may get secular airplay, but «Time Line», the album’s only sure hit, comes closest to forging a unique presence.
Viewed from the perspective of Livgren’s long and fruitful career, ‘Time Line’ leaves one wishing for more. After all, this is the musical genius who gave us «Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel», «Song for America», and «Carry On Wayward Son». On the other hand, this marks Livgren’s strongest showing in a long time.
AD reveals its strongest cohesion in the lyrical intent of the material. Livgren’s words seem to rise out of paternal concern for his fans who have charted their own journey, along with his, through Kansas albums. “Sharing the love that I’ve found/ Give it a chance to turn our lives around/ As I’ve received, I’m willing to give.”
The strongest lyrics are the self-revelatory lines that invite the listener to share in this life-changing experience of “the rising Son.” At times, however, he lapses into speaking at the listener, rather than from common human experiences.
In AD Livgren has gathered a strong band that will, I believe, fement toward greatness like a fine wine. Livgren is now working with musicians who not only bring strong musical talents to the project, but share his allegiance to the Christian faith and his calling to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can only imagine that he finds much personal and creative freedom in that relationship.
On the whole, ‘Time Line’ is an enjoyable album, and it bears promise of an exciting musical ministry for Livgren and company in the future. I have little doubt that the Christian community will embrace Kerry Livgren AD in much the same way as it did the Kansas of the ‘Vinyl Confessions’ era. [Quincy Smith-Newcomb, CCM, July 1984]
> Apple Music (Decade box: https://music.apple.com/us/album/decade/716231208)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Time Line” – 4:04
A2. “Tonight” – 4:53
A3. “Make or Break It” – 3:49
A4. “Take Us to the Water” – 4:28
A5. “Beyond the Pale” – 3:33
Side Two
B1. “New Age Blues” – 3:54
B2. “Slow Motion Suicide” – 4:46
B3. “High on a Hill” – 3:52
B4. “Life Undercover” – 3:27
B5. “Welcome to the War” – 4:11
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by CBS Records. Remastered and re-issued on CD as a part of Kerry Livgren’s double disc compilation Decade (released as both double CD and double cassette).
CREDITS. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Kerry Livgren for Grandy Zine Productions at Camp Dunwoody Studios in Dunwoody, Georgia.
Musicians: Kerry Livgren (Guitars, Keyboards, DMX Programming, Bass), Michael Gleason (Lead & Background Vocals), Warren Ham (Lead & Background Vocals, Woodwinds & Harmonica), Dave Hope (Bass Guitar), Dennis Holt (Drums, Percussion).
