Native Window - www.Goldminemag.comNative WindowStar City Recording Company (SCR6903)Grade: Three and a half stars ★★★★The lively self-titled debut from Native Window likely will be the closest we ever come to another Kansas album. Featuring four of that band’s five current members, Native Window can’t help but sound at least a little like Kansas. But instead of Steve Walsh’s unmistakable voice, lead vocals are handled by bassist Billy Greer — who teamed with Walsh in the early-’80s outfit Streets and more recently fronted Seventh Key with former Streets guitarist Mike Slamer. More organic than many Kansas albums, Native Window’s earthiness stems from the fact that Greer, drummer Phil Ehart, guitarist Richard Williams and violinist David Ragsdale wouldn’t pursue a song unless it first worked acoustically. As a result, “Blood in the Water” ventures into swampy blues territory. “Money,” repeating the lines “Money doesn’t matter anymore” and “Everything’s all wrong,” could be part of the recession’s soundtrack, and Ragsdale’s violin makes a handful of the album’s 10 tracks seem haunted by the ghosts of Kansas. Native Window should appease and challenge longtime Kansas fans, who can remain secure in the knowledge that these guys are far from wayward sons. — Michael Popke |
