Well the boys are back. After a few weeks of releases (High Road, I'm Coming Home, and Knock Knock Never Stop) we finally got the new CD landed on Tuesday! I've listened several times and I have to say this is an instant classic in my book. The overall sound is classic Night Ranger, with modern touches, a very mature approach to the composition, and even some throw back elements. Overall, I'd give this a 100%.
The tracks:
High Road - Classic feel in the vein of When You Close Your Eyes. Jack is in great voice on this one, the guitar solo is killer, and this is very well written, composed and performed track. I feel that rock radio could love this if they'd give it a chance. I know classic rock stations are spinning it, and the response has to be outstanding. I have to say this is probably one of the best new tracks since the band reformed in 1996.
Knock Knock Never Stop - Great rocker with an anthem feel to it. Just typical straight ahead amazing music from beginning to end. Jack once again is in great voice, as is Kelly on this dual lead vocal track. Hard to believe that Jack just turned 60 years old. The guitar work on this track is very intricate, and the keyboards are ever present. Eric Levy has an Alan Fitzgerald way of holding the song together without you even realizing he is there. Again great solo on guitar. One small criticism, I almost feel this should have been the closing track, I think it would have book ended this CD perfectly with High Road.
Rollin' On - How these guys can continue to find a ways to make quality straight ahead rockers like this one are beyond me. Just looking at the last 3 albums including this one they've had so many quality straight ahead rockers its unfathomable. I would love to hear all of them live. This one has a great live feel to it, and Jack's vocals take a bit of a different approach on the verse. The chorus is huge with the hey-hey-yeah backing vocals, and gives this one an anthem feel as well. Again so much intricate guitar work here. Modern bands need to take notice! Good music is more than chords!! Oh and a keyboard solo! TOO AWESOME!
Don't Live Here Anymore - One of the things I've noticed on this CD is the Biblical references. This one includes several, but also has an overall redemptive theme. It almost makes me wonder if Brad, Jack or Kelly found religion since Somewhere In California. This song is more serious than the first 3 tracks, and I love how they've blended verse and chorus in this one to mix up composition from the normal verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, bridge, chorus, chorus, chorus format. Not that it isn't a winning formula but it is nice to see it changed up and this one does. Plus the combination of keyboards, piano, and acoustic guitar make for a wonderful feel to this track. Kelly's voice shows no signs of his 62 year old self! Man he can still blow! This one also has the throwback keyboards in the middle, great solo, and Jack singing the bridge. The tempo change near the end with the musical outro leading to Kelly's closing lyrics gives this one a Rain That's Crashing Down/Night Ranger (the song) feel. This is just a solid track that should get some airplay. A song like this (and Rain from Big Life and Night Ranger (the song) from Dawn Patrol) deserves a bigger audience. One of my favorites on this CD!