Night Ranger - Don't Let Up (2017)

2018-10-16T12:13:48Z

Night Ranger - Don't Let Up (2017)


1 	Somehow Someway 	
2 	Running Out Of Time 	
3 	Truth 	
4 	Day And Night 	
5 	Don’t Let Up 	
6 	(Won’t Be Your) Fool Again 	
7 	Say What You Want 	
8 	We Can Work It Out 	
9 	Comfort Me 	
10 	Jamie 	
11 	Nothing Left Of Yesterday

Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Jack Blades
Drums, Percussion, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Kelly Keagy
Keyboards, Piano, Backing Vocals – Eric Levy
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals – Brad Gillis, Keri Kelli

Night Ranger may be in contention for ‘Best rock album of 2017’ with the release of Don’t Let Up. This one has that magical ‘something’ that makes it an instant hit for any fan of melodic hard rock. There are hooks, riffs, melodies, killer solos and strong vocals from start to finish. There are rockers and ballads and everything in-between. Night Ranger, to sound cliché, has truly outdone themselves with their latest effort.

Night Ranger has oodles of talent… that has been apparent since the band first broke on the scene in the early 1980s. For them to still be pumping out killer albums in 2017 is simply amazing. They have put out a couple of solid records on the Frontiers label, and those discs were good. This release, however, is great. It is as solid as any album they have ever done. I know that is saying a lot, but one listen to the pop hook of “Somehow Someway” and you will agree. “Running Out of Time” has a special kind of solo that this band loves to throw into a tune. “Day and Night” is pure classic hard rock with tons of melody and a solo that will have you pumping your fist in the air. Sure, some tunes are stronger than others, but believe me when I say there is nary a tune on this sucker that sucks. It is a solid recording from start to finish.

It is time to let your crusty classic rock buds who refuse to listen to anything recorded after 1985 know that Night Ranger is back and rockin’ as strong as ever. Jack Blades and Kelly Keagy play and sing their asses off. Brad Gillis is a rock god and a soloing machine while Keri Kelly brings his Alice Cooper vibe to the band and can rival Gillis at times on the guitar firepower. Eric Levy is the keyboard player…. what do you say about keys in a rock band? Well, mostly on the ballads he makes his presence known. But Eric is a helluva nice guy that lays down that background layer these other guys dance on top of. These are well crafted songs and, just as important, this band is having fun. There is no phoning it in, here… these guys are still rockin’ in America and this writer does not see that stopping anytime soon.

Seeing a band that has this kind of muscle, prowess, and songwriting potency coupled with their drive to succeed while continuing their legacy is simply amazing. Long live the Rangers of the Night! ---Jeb “Come on… please tell me ya love me” Wright, classicrockrevisited.com

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Night Ranger – High Road (2014)

2014-05-27T15:44:34Z

Night Ranger – High Road (2014)


01 – High Road
02 – Knock Knock Never Stop
03 – Rollin’ On
04 – Don’t Live Here Anymore
05 – I’m Coming Home
06 – X Generation
07 – Only For You Only
08 – Hang On
09 – St. Bartholomew
10 – Brothers
11 – Mountain Song
12 – Lay It On Me (Live from M3 Rock Festival)

Jack Blades (bass guitar, vocals)
Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals)
Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars)
Joel Hoekstra (lead and rhythm guitars) 
Eric Levy (keyboards)

'High Road' is Night Ranger's tenth studio album (eleventh if you include 1995's 'Feeding Off The Mojo') and is another sure-fire winner. Those expecting to find the band still 'Somewhere In California' might be a little disappointed, however long-term fans will be rewarded with repeated listens of this slightly more diverse album than its predecessor; although it is not as "left-field" as the opinion-splitting 'Hole In The Sun', '...Road' combines elements of the band's whole career and is full of the distinct NR sounds that we have all come to love over the years; soaring twin guitars, keyboard flurries, driving rhythms, stunning lead and harmony vocals, all of which are mixed in a cacophony of beautiful splendour.

The album features a great production effort by the band themselves who are not only top musicians but also fantastic songwriters, the latter is what, in my opinion, sets them as leaders of the pack. The newest members of the band, keyboardist Eric Levy and guitarist Joel Hoekstra (who has now been in the band six years) have not simply turned up and taken the pay-cheque but stamped their own mark on to the classic NR sound. Every track, with the exception of the instrumental album closer 'LA No Name', is clearly recognisable as NR and, to quote Jack Blades, is "feel-good, high energy kick-ass Rock 'n' Roll".

Opening track 'High Road' epitomizes the latter description and the early drive is maintained with 'Knock Knock Never Stop' featuring the brilliant shared vocals of Blades and Kelly Keagy. 'Rollin' On' is the heaviest track on the album and a throwback to the 'Neverland' and 'Seven' albums. 'Don't Live Here Anymore' could have easily appeared on a Keagy solo album albeit for the blistering guitar solos of Brad Gillis and Hoekstra.

'I'm Coming Home' again with its combined vocals is pure bliss and a real album highlight and I could see this featuring in future live sets. Gillis and Hoekstra duel frenetically throughout the whole album, highlighted on 'X Generation' and 'Hang On' that perfectly blend the old school sound with a modern approach.

No NR album would be complete without the odd ballad or two and we have 'Brothers' and 'Only For You Only', the latter rating alongside some of their best. 'St. Bartholomews' is another heavy kick-ass track that contains more melody than most bands put into an entire album. The album concludes with the bonus track, the idiosyncratic, acoustic, instrumental '...Name'.

'High Road' might not rate as the greatest ever Night Ranger album, however it sits perfectly alongside all their other albums in a tremendous back catalogue and will definitely feature in many Melodic Rock fans top albums of 2014. ---Mark Donnelly, rocktopia.co.uk

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Rock, Metal

Night Ranger - Don't Let Up (2017)

Night Ranger – High Road (2014)