KANSAS – Drastic Measures [Remastered] (2011)

Japan Blu-Spec CD – EICP 20081

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If ’82s ‘Vinyl Confessions’ was the album that approached Kansas to commercial mainstream, “Drastic Measures” definitely remains as their more radio-friendly album ever.

First of all, there was no sign of vocalist/violinist Robbie Steinhardt, whose role on the previous album had been much diluted in a search for a more commercial sound.

Secondly, Kerry Livgren only contributes just three songs to the album (the more prog oriented), compared to six by John and Dino Elefante.

On the plus side the band had drafted in producer Neil Kernon on the back of his success with several Hall & Oates albums, snagging him just before he would become synonymous with commercial hard rock bands like Dokken, Queensryche and Autograph.

Kernon actually did a great job with the material on “Drastic Measures”, giving Kansas a punchy AOR sound they’d never had before.

The powerful opener “Fight Fire With Fire” is a classic slice of inventive AOR that the band still play occasionally today, and “Don’t Take Your Love Away” has the kind of light and shade that they’re known for.

Other Elefante compositions included the memorable melodic ballad “Andi”, whilst the hi-tech of “Get Rich” is very modern for the era, where Kernon’s touch is evident.

“Everybody’s My Friend” and “Incident On A Bridge” are both urgent AOR numbers with heavy keyboards.

The three Livgren songs tell a tale of their own, being “End Of The Age” the more prog-friendly song but with accessible harmonies.

“Drastic Measures” is definitely a mid ’80s AOR rock album, with great melodies and big keyboards, in the vein of Balance and on many passages, Journey and alikes.

The modern and brilliant production by Neil Kernon is now enhanced with a huge sound and extra clarity with this brand new 2011 remaster and Blu-spec CD edition.

On the Blu-spec CD’s, the master used for replication is burned with a smaller and much more precise blue-violet laser to obtain more accurate pits. The Blu-Spec process even improves the SACD technology.

A must have for any ’80s AOR fan.

01 – Fight Fire With Fire

02 – Everybody’s My Friend

03 – Mainstream

04 – Andi

05 – Going Trough The Motions

06 – Get Rich

07 – Don’t Take Your Love Away

08 – End Of The Age

09 – Incident On A Bridge

John Elefante (vocals)

Rich Williams (guitar)

Dave Hope (bass)

Kerry Livgren (keyboards, guitar)

Phil Ehart (drums)

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