Point of Know Return

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |Template:Short description|noreplace}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Leftoverture1976Two for the Show1978studioPoint of Know ReturnKansas - Point of Know Return.jpgCover painting by Peter LloydKansasTemplate:Start dateJune – July 1977* Studio in the Country (Bogalusa, Louisiana)

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Point of Know Return is the fifth studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2002.

Composition and recording

The recording sessions for Point of Know Return commenced in June 1977 at Studio in the Country, the Bogalusa, Louisiana facility where Kansas' previous two albums were recorded: due to the band encountering equipment failure at Studio in the Country, Kansas shifted recording sites, the majority of the recording of Point of Know Return being done at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville over the month of July.<ref>Spokane Spokesman-Journal 6 September 2019 "Returning to the 'Point': Kansas' Richard Williams reflects on recording multiplatinum albums" by Azaria Podblesky pp.E2,E9</ref>

Singer/songwriter Steve Walsh left the group briefly during the recording of this album.<ref name="booklet" >Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> In an interview on the weekly In the Studio with Redbeard radio show, he would admit that, at this point, he had been something of a prima donna and was attracted by the chance of a solo career.<ref name="booklet" /><ref>In the Studio with Redbeard edition #849, week of September 27, 2004 and again on the 30th Anniversary Episode for Point of Know Return in 2007</ref>

"Dust in the Wind" is known for its sparse acoustic nature. The guitar line for the song was written by Kerry Livgren as a finger exercise for learning fingerpicking. His wife, Vicci, heard what he was doing, remarked that the melody was nice, and encouraged him to write lyrics for it.<ref name="Redbeard">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Livgren was unsure whether his fellow band members would like it since it was a departure from their signature style. However, he did offer it to them, and the song was accepted and then recorded.<ref name="Redbeard"/>

The album is critically acclaimed for the singles "Point of Know Return," which was a late addition to the album, and "Portrait (He Knew)," which was written about Albert Einstein.<ref name="Redbeard"/> In 1988, Livgren released an updated version of "Portrait (He Knew)" titled "Portrait II" as part of the album Prime Mover credited to his band AD. He changed the subject of the song from Einstein to Jesus Christ. Another song, "Closet Chronicles", is a Howard Hughes allegory.

Reception

Template:Music ratings Rolling Stone gave the album a mixed review, saying that though the transition to shorter songs generally works, the lyrics are "a wan and ridiculous rehash of the bargain-basement exoticism employed by the British art-rock crowd." They commented that though Kansas lacks a virtuoso soloist, the band's ensemble playing is strong and purposeful.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Robert Taylor of AllMusic wrote that Kansas' "interplay and superior musicianship make this both an essential classic rock and progressive rock recording", despite its "dated sound" and the band's struggle "to maintain a healthy balance of progression combined with pop."<ref name="allmusic"/>

Point of Know Return would be Kansas' highest-charting album in the US, peaking at No. 4 in January 1978,<ref name="Billboard 200">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and would sell four million copies in the US and be certified Quadruple Platinum by the RIAA.<ref name="platinum">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Cultural impact

Template:Multiple issues During a debate of greatest "Song 1 Side 1" in history among the lead characters in the movie High Fidelity, Jack Black's character criticizes one of John Cusack's character's proposals as "too obvious, like 'Point of Know Return'".

"Nobody's Home" was sampled by rapper J Dilla on the song "So Far" on his 2016 posthumous release The Diary. However, the sample is from a cover version rather than the Kansas recording.

Track listing

Template:Track listing Template:Track listing Template:Track listing The remix of "Portrait (He Knew)" in the 2002 remastered edition marks the third time the song has been remixed. A remix appeared on the original single. A different remix appeared on the bonus disc of a Europe-only collection from the late 1990s.

Personnel

Kansas

• Steve Walsh – organ, synthesizers, vibraphone, piano, lead vocals (except on "Lightning's Hand"), backing vocals, additional percussion
• Kerry Livgren – synthesizers, piano, clavinet, electric and acoustic guitars, additional percussion
• Robby Steinhardt – violins, viola, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Closet Chronicles", "Lightning's Hand", "Sparks of the Tempest", and "Hopelessly Human"
• Rich Williams – electric and acoustic guitars
• Dave Hope – bass
• Phil Ehart – drums, timpani, chimes, additional percussion

In addition to the actual credits, the album's liner notes credit each band member with a fictional instrument, such as "chain-driven gong", "autogyro", "Rinaldo whistling machine", and "Peabody chromatic inverter".

Production

• Jeff Glixman – producer, engineer, mixing at Village Recorders, Los Angeles, August 1977, remastered edition producer
• Terry Diane Becker – additional engineering
• George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York, September 1977
• Kansas – arrangements and cover art concept
• Tom Drennon – art director
• Peter Lloyd – cover painting
• Rod Dyer – inner sleeve design
• Bob Maile – calligraphy
• Jeff Magid – remastered edition producer

Charts

Weekly charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Chart (1977–1978)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)<ref name=aus>Template:Cite book</ref>	52
French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} Select Kansas from the menu, then press OK.</ref>	16

Year-end charts

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Chart (1977)	Position
Chart (1978)	Position
US Billboard 200<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	9