In The Fast Lane
Iconic arena-rockers Night Ranger are set to release their eleventh studio album, High Road. Straight away, the cover art for the album incorporates elements of those used on previous releases, a nice touch(and very clever.
Of the new album, front man/bassist/songwriter Jack Blades commented, "It's almost summer and a great time to take a trip down the High Road'! Our new record features classic Night Ranger feel-good, high-energy kick-ass rock n' roll. We can't wait for our fans to hear". With that in mind then, the strength of the songwriting is the key here, and if you're an existing fan, then you cannot fail to be disappointed as every track has Night Ranger through the middle like a stick of rock!!
High Road is instantly memorable, from the opening keyboard bars to the punchy chorus, following on from where Growing Up In California left off, only this is MUCH better. You won't be able to help picture an 80s video with the gang in a mustang convertible going down the 101, even if the real video doesn't show this, this is what the song has the power to evoke in your mind, its an instant classic
Don't Live Here Anymore gives the first solo opportunity for Kelly Keagy to flex his pipes, and he is as good a singer as he was 30-odd years ago. It's a cowboy song of exquisite quality, brought up to this standard with Gillis' and Hoekstra's blinding guitar work. Gillis has to be one of the most underrated guitarists in rock
I'm Coming Home is another road dong and again features the dual vocal attack. X Generation sees Hoekstra and Gillis trading licks, and coupled with Keagy's rasping vocals it's a blend of classic sounding Night Ranger with a 21st century kick. Night Ranger wouldn't be Night Ranger if it weren't for ballads, and High Road has two of them in Only For You Only and Brothers with the latter leaning more towards a country vibe than rock. St. Bartholomew's is another kick ass rock track where they really throw the kitchen sink at it. LA No Name sees us out, an acoustic instrumental and which brings a subtle end.
It's fair to say that Night Ranger have pulled out the stops for High Road. It is definitely a summer feel good album and probably their finest in about 30 years, standing up well alongside the established classics that Night Ranger have offered. Who says there's no life-blood in modern melodic rock? These wily old dogs can still show the new breed a thing or two with some quality radio friendly rock n roll. This will surely sit at the top of people's melodic rock gems of 2014.