Music review: Night Ranger 鈥 鈥楬igh Road鈥
It鈥檚 been 32 years since the release of Night Ranger鈥檚 鈥淒awn Patrol.鈥 The California band鈥檚 debut album caught my attention with catchy rockers like 鈥淒on鈥檛 Tell Me You Love Me,鈥 鈥淓ddie鈥檚 Comin鈥 Out Tonight,鈥 鈥淧lay Rough鈥 and 鈥淪ing Me Away.鈥
Night Ranger鈥檚 11th studio effort recalls the band鈥檚 glory days with spirited rockers and tender ballads that measure up to classics such as 鈥(You Can Still) Rock in America,鈥 鈥淲hen You Close Your Eyes鈥 and 鈥淪ister Christian.鈥
鈥淗igh Road鈥 contains all the right ingredients for a successful rock album: booming vocals, heavy guitar riffs, pounding drums and tales of cutting loose and letting go.
The album opens with the infectious title track that is perfectly suited for revving the engine and hitting the open highway in search of a good time.
鈥淜nock Knock Never Stop鈥 is an irresistible, guitar-driven rocker that is clearly reminiscent of classic Def Leppard, while 鈥淚鈥檓 Coming Home鈥 is a solid blending of tight harmonies and contagious melodies.
A number of power ballads are also sprinkled throughout the album.
鈥淏rothers,鈥 鈥淥nly for You Only鈥 and 鈥淒on鈥檛 Live Here Anymore鈥 demonstrate the band鈥檚 versatility and ability to deliver stirring, emotional numbers.
鈥淗igh Road鈥 is comprised of 11 new compositions.
It is also available as a deluxe edition with an additional bonus track and a behind-the-scenes DVD of footage recorded during the making of the new studio album.
Night Ranger is Jack Blades (bass and vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums and vocals), Brad Gillis (lead and rhythm guitars), Joel Hoekstra (lead and rhythm guitars) and Eric Levy (keyboards).
With more than 17 million albums sold worldwide by the group, Night Ranger鈥檚 sound continues to prove that the band can indeed still rock in America.