Tag: night ranger

This is album number thirteen for San Fran’s finest melodic rockers, released  in 2021. They have gone though a few personnel changes since the good old days, and Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy are the only originals left, although Jack Blades has only missed playing on one album.

Opener track Coming For You has quite an aggressive riff and groove that powers the song along in quite a non-Night Ranger away. Then that is followed by a more melodic and radio friendly tune in Bring It All Hime To Me. This is the blueprint for most of the album, a hard rocker followed by a more melodic tune. Only one ballad to report with The Hardest Road, and I’ll give them that one. The rest of the album is a very classy Night Ranger album, my favourite song of which is Monkey. A good old, kick ass, rock n’ roller. With customary big hook and chorus and lots of guitar.

This is a Frontiers pressing and it is so quiet that I have to really crank it more than should be necessary. It’s good to know that Night Ranger still pump out great records.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This album came out on CD originally in 2011, and this is its first time on vinyl as part of RSD 2022 – although I think it was available through the band’s website first. A great line up as well with the addition of Joel Hoekstra on guitar with Brad Gillis – is a killer partnership. This band don’t make bad records, and this album is up there with their best for me . A definite harder edge to the sound – but that’s fine with me.

Growin’ Up In California is a killer track to open up with – a monster hook and groove with some great duelling guitars. Lay It On Me has a ripping riff and groove and I guarantee you’ll be singing this one all day long. Bye Bye Baby is classic old school Night Ranger with a big melody and hook. Follow Your Heart has a huge intro with that Boston Hammond sound, and this could be my favourite Night Ranger song ever. This track has everything and I’m sure the kitchen sink is in there somewhere. Side 1 closes with Time Of Our Lives and it’s ballad time.

Fear not though, as No Time To Lose Ya kicks off with twin guitar heaven and this is a superb power pop groover. Live For Today feels slightly psychedelic and sixties-ish. It’s Not Over again has that power pop groove with a great feel good vibe. End Of The Day follows with a slow build up, and a great double guitar riff – the hook and melody will definitely grab you. Rock N Roll Tonite is all about the guitar, and why not?! It’s a great riff, and I love the hook and chorus. Last song, Say It With Love, is a real barnstormer and a great kick ass ending to a killer record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Album number four in the band’s catalogue, and they were on a roll having sold 10 million records up till now – the record company loved them. They even put the band with hotshot producer, David Foster, to produce and co-write the soundtrack to the film, The Secret Of My Success. At this point, they had an embarrassment of riches in the band with two main vocalists in drummer Kelly Keagy and bassist Jack Blades, and two great guitar players in Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson.

The album starts with a bang with Big Life, and it’s the only track where Brad Gillis gets a writing credit – it’s no coincidence it’s the most rockin’ track on the album. Basically this is an aor/melodic rock fans wet dream. The songs are all high on melody, and the hook and chorus mean everything. Occasionally the guitars get a look in like on Carry On where the main riff is a beast, but on the whole it’s a very polished record and what could be described as corporate rock.

8/10 from The Grooveman.