Description
Reconstructions is the third album by the American progressive rock band AD featuring Kerry Livgren of Kansas fame, released on Kerygma Records in 1986, distributed by Sparrow Records. The album was produced by band member Kerry Livgren.
Just as you might be wondering if A.D. had become history, the Kerry Livgren-led foursome releases its third and strongest album. If ‘Art of the State‘ indicated a group coalescing toward identity, ‘Reconstructions’ fine tunes and redirects A.D. This is good up-tempo, artistically interesting, progressing progressive rock music. With Emerson using modern technology to create sounds that were dated when ELP used to mean Palmer, Yes a big Maybe, and GTR a lot of GAS, it’s nice to see Livgren step away from the laurels of his work with Kansas and continue to stretch and grow.
But Livgren is not alone. Michael Gleason – who writes, sings, and shares keyboard responsibilities – deserves equal credit for keeping A.D. in the groove and out of the ruts that bands often slide into when dealing with the grandiosity of this genre. Kicked along by Dennis Holt’s aggressive drums and Dave Hope’s appealing bass sounds, Livgren and Gleason soar to unrelenting heights as keys, voice, and guitar push and pull the memorable melodies with some dexterity and great emotion. Gracefully accessible yet not characterized by a commercial feel, ‘Reconstructions’ makes the grade.
Occasionally Livgren forgets who he’s writing for and includes a lyric like “Slow dialectic produces eclectic exchange,” a phrase a degree in philosophy wouldn’t help decipher. For the most part, he stays closer to earth, and Gleason’s lyrics get downright gritty. A.D.’s best chops shine on «All Fall Down», «Exile», «You Are the Distance», and «One Golden Thread». Although the group has been rather low profile of late, progessive rockers will rejoice that A.D., unlike several previously mentioned dinosaurs, is still around. [Brian Quincy Newcomb, CCM, November 1986]
> Apple Music (Reconstructions (Reconstructed) version: https://music.apple.com/us/album/reconstructions-reconstructions-reconstructed/140777240)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “All Fall Down” – 4:27
A2. “Life Of Crime” – 4:16
A3. “No Standing” – 3:58
A4. “Exiles” – 4:15
Side Two
B1. “We Draw The Line” – 3:43
B2. “Walking The Wire” – 3:44
B3. “You Are The Distance” – 4:06
B4. “Highway To The Heart” – 3:45
B5. “One Golden Thread” – 4:20
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Kerygma Records. Remastered and re-released with a different order of songs, and re-titled Reconstructions: Reconstructed. Available at Bandcamp: https://kerrylivgren.bandcamp.com/album/reconstructions-reconstructed
CREDITS. Produced by Kerry Livgren.
Musicians: Kerry Livgren (Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion), Michael Gleason (Keyboards, Vocals), Keith Evans (Background vocals), Terry Brock (Background vocals), Dave Hope (Bass), Dennis Holt (Percussion).
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