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Abandon Kansas [Ad Astra Per Aspera] | Posted March 22, 2011
Lead singer Jeremy Spring, guitarist Brad Foster, bassist Chet Keuffer and drummer Brian Scheiderman make up the band Abandon Kansas. Ad Astra Per Aspera is the band’s first official retail release, and is a rite of passage for a band that has demonstrated over the past half-decade that they are more than prepared to lay claim to their own territory among the industry elites. Front man Jeremy Spring explains: “Ad Astra Per Aspera is Latin meaning ‘to the stars through difficulty.’ The title is the Kansas state motto, and the concept for our new record. Nearly all of the songs refer to heaven, the sky, flight, the stars, and the challenges along the journey...”
Noteworthy tracks include the first single and album opener, “Heaven Come My Way,” which is one of my favorite songs of the year. I can’t get enough of the guitar part and ethereal style of the song. That same hooky musical style is also featured in stand-out songs “Liar,” “The Golden State,” and “Like It Or Not.” Lyrically, these songs are the templates for a culture that is battling through challenging circumstances. For example, on “Heaven Come My Way,” Spring’s vocals lay claim to bright futures as he croons, “I’ve always aimed higher; don’t let me off the hook. We wrote a chapter, haven’t finished the book.” I purchased the The Golden State EP when it released which also included the incredible music video of “The Golden State.” The song includes the creative metaphor, “California is burning like a cigarette…the whole world watching to see what they will do…they ignored all the warnings, but so did you.” I can’t get enough of the song and music video as it challenges listeners to not be “plastic.”
In “Where Else Can We Go?” Jeremy speaks into the problem of pain: “If pain produces harmony, we all have a note. If God conducts the symphony, no one sings alone.” These are not your typical melodies and lyrics, and most of the songs really make you think while you listen to them. I’m truly impressed by several catchy and well-crafted songs, and another highlight for me is closing track, “Give And Take,” which features stellar harmony vocals by Stephanie Smith and the introspective and imploring chorus, “Am I more than the sum of the things I’ve done and haven’t done?” The lyrical vulnerability of “Give And Take” really displays the artistic style of this very solid album.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Musically and lyrically, this is certainly one of the most engaging albums of the year. There is nothing cliché at all about this album and band. If you are looking for a band with songs that stir your soul like GRAMMY winning bands Arcade Fire and Switchfoot, then you’ll absolutely want to check out Abandon Kansas.
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