After 1984's
Vital Signs netted
Survivor three Top 20 singles, the bandmembers knew that they would have to come up with something of equal or greater value upon their next release. Released in 1986,
When Seconds Count gave the group its last Top 40 hit with the synth-driven "Is This Love" in November of that year. Only
Jimi Jamison,
Frankie Sullivan, and Jim Peterik made up the band at this point, and a handful of session musicians were hired in order to complete the album. The result was a harder, more streamlined approach to their music, shedding
Survivor of their past pop/rock sound for the most part. Other than "Is This Love," cuts like "Man Against the World" and "How Much Love" sound the firmest, with the band focusing more on melody and on appealing song structures. Although
Survivor opted for the more aggressive pop/rock avenue, the material on
When Seconds Count doesn't exactly comply with the group's chosen formula, unlike the smoother-sounding
Vital Signs or even 1983's Caught in the Game. The better tracks on
When Seconds Count can be heard on
Survivor hits packages. ~ Mike DeGagne