Night Ranger has always been a mystery to me. Although I’ve seen the name pop up countless times when browsing through iTunes or FYE, I never gave them a listen. Somewhere in California is Night Ranger’s first release since 2007’s Hole in the Sun. Original members Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals) and Brad Gillis (guitar) are joined by the newcomers Joel Hoekstra (guitars) and Eric Levy (keyboards).
In a little more than four minutes, the opener “Growin’ Up In California” successfully sums up exactly what Night Ranger is about. Its dense rhythms, dual guitar action, and catchy chorus will instantly grab your attention. Additionally, it has a summer vibe that coincides perfectly with its North American release date of June 21st. The men of Night Ranger made a fantastic choice opening the album with this gem, because I, like many others will, fell for it hook, line and sinker. This is far from deception, though – Night Ranger is the real deal.
After the lighthearted intro, Night Ranger takes you by surprise with “Lay it On Me”, a heavy groove in the vein of Ratt. The verse is dark and aggressive, but the chorus takes a turn into a crowd chant in the likes of Bon Jovi. It’s during this song that I realized how simple the lyrics were to Night Ranger’s tunes. They are borderline cheesy, but it’s obvious that they are written by a band that doesn’t take their career too seriously. The entire album has a carefree atmosphere about it, and that is exactly what makes it enjoyable to pop into your stereo, sit back, and forget about your troubles.
Despite the fun, Night Ranger leaves room for an outstanding ballad. Beginning with light acoustic guitars and a soft piano, “Time Of Our Lives” sounds strange compared to the hard rock tracks Night Ranger pummels you with in the beginning. But before you know it, you’re surrounded by a beautiful, melodic chorus were every instrument comes together in perfect harmony. The way the vocals complement each other, along with the outstanding musicianship and stunning guitar solo goes to show the magical chemistry these band members share. This magic rings true for absolutely every song on the album. No matter how the song initially sounds, each eventually bursts into an infectious sound that is fresh and unique to each track.
Thankfully, Night Ranger sticks to their classic roots. “Rock N’ Roll Tonite” sounds like it came straight from the vaults of Triumph, while “End of the Day” is reminiscent of something Scorpions would release. “No Time To Lose Ya” and “Bye Bye Baby (Not Tonight)” are songs you would find on your favorite AOR radio station in the 80s. They scream classic, yet in today’s world they will unfortunately go unnoticed in the mainstream crowd.
I honestly cannot give enough praise to Somewhere in California. It never grows dull or repetitive. Even with the two new members, it feels like these guys have known each other for a lifetime. The musical connection between the members is immense, and seems to grow stronger the more you listen to the album. Just as I think I can’t like the album anymore, I listen to it again and find something else that mesmerizes me. Somewhere in California is the epitome of melodic rock, and is the sign of a bright future and a new beginning for Night Ranger.
Key Tracks: No Time To Lose Ya, Time Of Our Lives, Lay It On Me
A.H. Keith- MuzikReviews.com Contributor
June 28, 2011