By Joe Puccio

One of the more underrated hard rock records (and really, groups, as well) of the 80s, Kix’s platinum-selling Blow My Fuse is the latest classic disc to get the deluxe treatment aimed at diehard fans longing for something extra from their favorite artists’ catalogues.

The seminal work, originally unleashed on audiences back in 1988, was the Maryland-bred band’s most successful offering and it only takes one listen to figure out why. From the opening drum beats of the explosive “Red Lite, Green Lite, TNT” to the infectiously raucous “Cold Blood” to the provocative title track with its anthemic sing-along chorus, Blow My Fuse is certainly deserving of its esteemed status. Undoubtedly its most popular number, the haunting power ballad “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” showcased a more sensitive side of the band that they pulled off beautifully, as it remains a cornerstone of classic rock radio to this day.

Released September 21, the new album commemorates the 30^th (!) anniversary of the revered record with a lengthy two-disc set. The first contains a brand new remix of all ten tracks by legendary producer Beau Hill as well as an exemplary remastering from award-winning engineer Jay Frigoletto. But the true beauty of the collection lies in the second, which consists of entirely unreleased demo versions of each song, all recorded several years prior to the eventual final product. While the differences are mostly subtle, ardent listeners will be able to extract a plethora of minute intricacies in the fresh tunes.