Somewhere in California, the latest Frontiers Records release from Night Ranger, celebrates the 30th Anniversary of this hard rock band. Brad Gillis, Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, and new member Joel Hoekstra (a seasoned guitarist who's played with just about everybody) deliver a really fun record here, packed to the gills with everything most folks have always loved about this band. Soaring melodies, catchy hooks, anthemic choruses, tasty keyboards, and plenty of six string mayhem...yep, it's all here!
Opening 1-2 punch of "Growin' Up in California" and "Lay It On Me" sees Night Ranger delivering those hooks amidst a wave of searing guitar riffs and leads from Gillis & Hoekstra, while the catchy "Bye Bye Baby (Not Tonight)" could have easily been a monster single back in 1987, and will remind many of their classic radio material. "Follow Your Heart" is surprisingly heavy, with thick guitar riffs and the vocal team of Blades & Keagy really doing a fine job. Things slow down for the mandatory ballad "Time of Our Lives", another track that has hit potential, and the addicting pop/metal hooks of the guitar led thumper "No Time to Lose Ya" just stick in your head and refuse to get out.
Gillis & Hoekstra's guitars scream throughout "Live For Today", and the duo layer plenty of intricate riffs on the memorable pop rocker "It's Not Over", another tune with great harmony vocals from Blades and Keagy. This fun CD ends with the trio of scorching 80's styled rockers "End of the Day", "Rock n Roll Tonight", and "Say It With Love", each one packed with dynamic riffs and soaring vocal harmonies, taking the listener back 25 years to the glory day of this style of hard rock.
Somewhere in California doesn't break any new ground for Night Ranger, but it's a great throwback to classic albums like Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, and 7 Wishes. Much like Journey, Whitesnake, and Uriah Heep have shown on their recent releases (ironically, all also on the Frontiers roster), you can be an older act and still deliver the goods in a big way. Night Ranger have done just that here on Somewhere in California. Still relevant in 2011? You betcha!
Track Listing
01. Growin' Up In California
02. Lay It On Me
03. Bye Bye Baby (Not Tonight)
04. Follow Your Heart
05. Time Of Our Lives
06. No time To Lose Ya
07. Live For Today
08. It's Not Over
09. End Of The day
10. Rock N' Roll Tonite
11. Say It With Love
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