Key Collector Details

• Officially Licensed Girder Records Reissue of Kerry Livgren's influential 1984 album, recorded during the formation of AD.

• Original Ten-Song Album featuring “Time Line,” “Tonight,” “Make or Break It,” “Take Us to the Water,” “New Age Blues,” and “Welcome to the War.”

• The Birth of AD: A pivotal recording that brought together Kerry Livgren, Michael Gleason, Warren Ham, Dave Hope, and Dennis Holt.

• A Major Chapter After Kansas: Originally released in 1984 following Livgren's departure from Kansas, documenting his transition into a new era of progressive and melodic rock.

• Progressive Rock Meets Melodic AOR, combining intricate instrumental arrangements, synthesizers, powerful guitars, memorable melodies, and direct, spiritually focused lyrics.

• 12-Page Full-Color Booklet featuring extensive historical essays and liner notes by Greg Hays, exploring Livgren's post-Kansas career and the creation of AD.

• Classic Jewel Case Packaging with Girder Records catalog number GR1248 and UPC 765105165442.

• Essential for Kansas and AD Collectors, representing a crucial bridge between Livgren's celebrated Kansas compositions and the distinctive musical identity he developed with AD.

Product Description

When Kerry Livgren departed Kansas in 1983, he was leaving behind one of the most successful and influential progressive rock bands in American music history. As the creative force behind such classics as “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind,” Livgren had already established himself as a songwriter capable of combining technical musical sophistication with powerful melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. But his musical journey was far from finished. Originally released in 1984, Time Line represents the beginning of a new chapter, capturing Livgren's determination to build something new while retaining the progressive rock ambition that had defined so much of his earlier work. Recorded with musicians who would become the foundation of AD, including vocalist and keyboardist Michael Gleason, multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham, former Kansas bassist Dave Hope, and drummer Dennis Holt, Time Line was much more than a conventional solo recording. It was the sound of a new band taking shape, with musicians capable of translating Livgren's elaborate compositions into a cohesive and distinctive musical statement. 

From the opening title track, Time Line announces itself as a record of conviction, musical confidence, and creative renewal. “Tonight” showcases the group's ability to combine strong melodies with sophisticated instrumental arrangements, while “Make or Break It” introduces the vocal and songwriting contributions of Michael Gleason. “Take Us to the Water” and “Beyond the Pale” explore spiritual themes through accessible yet musically detailed arrangements. “New Age Blues” brings a harder-edged attitude, while “Slow Motion Suicide” demonstrates Livgren's willingness to address difficult subjects through dramatic songwriting. “High on a Hill” offers another memorable example of the album's melodic strengths, and “Life Undercover” continues the balance of rock energy and reflective lyricism. The closing “Welcome to the War” brings the album's themes of conflict, commitment, and perseverance into focus. Throughout the record, Livgren's signature guitar work, inventive keyboards, unusual rhythmic ideas, and ambitious song structures remain unmistakable. For fans of Kansas, AD, progressive rock, and classic 1980s melodic rock, Time Line is a historically important recording that captures the emergence of an entirely new musical identity. This officially licensed Girder Records CD reissue presents the original ten-song album in a jewel case, accompanied by a 12-page full-color booklet featuring extensive historical essays and liner notes by Greg Hays.

Original Track Listing

1. Time Line

2. Tonight

3. Make or Break It

4. Take Us to the Water

5. Beyond the Pale

6. New Age Blues

7. Slow Motion Suicide

8. High on a Hill

9. Life Undercover

10. Welcome to the War