Sadly, some controversy surrounds this release and in the time it has taken me to complete this review, all manner of things have happened with the band. Two of the members who recorded this release have left the band: longtime lead guitarist Jeff Watson -- who wrote two songs himself (interestingly enough, he doesn't get any other co-write credit) on this release -- and also Michael Lardie, keyboardist since 2004 who returned to the re-united Great White to celebrate their 25th Anniversary in 2007.
Jeff Watson was initially replaced by Winger / Whitesnake man, Reb Beach, who has returned to Winger, to be replaced by unknown Joel Hoekstra. Lardie was replaced by Christian Cullen.
Delayed Release
Courtesy VH1 Classic
The album was released in Europe back in April 2007. VH1 Classic's US release date: July 1, 2008.
The band blows away any cobwebs with opener, "Tell Your Vision" which after a scratch mix type drum track intro comes crashing in with killer guitars, rocking drums and a massive production sound. The vocals are "out to getcha" style and this band means business!
Without making other reviewers who’ve already posted their reviews think I’m ripping them off, I must admit that "Drama Queen" is totally full of riffola on the guitars. It’s like they’re out to prove a point, but these guys have nothing to prove, they are so far ahead of all that! I hear a sound in this track that is reminiscent of their lesser known and underrated period of Man In Motion and Neverland in terms of having rocking guitars throughout.
Next track, "You’re Gonna Hear It From Me" -- I’m sorry, but I almost hear a hint of glam rock star Gary Glitter in the chord structure and drums in places, but it’s way more edgy than anything that character could ever produce. The scary thing is even the chanting late in the song makes me think, "Rock and roll, rock and roll ..." that made GG all his cash! Actually there's more than a hint of Def Leppard's "Rocket" too. It still rocks out, though, really punchy track.
Nice Surprise
"Whatever Happened" is my surprise favorite track. Well, maybe second fave. It has a huge chorus and strong harmony vocals that remind me of "Peace Sign" from the Seven album, although this a much stronger song.
It has already been said elsewhere about next track, "There Is Life," that it’s NR’s updated "Sister Christian" but I think it stands alone on its own merits as the best track on this album. Some might say that the bridge late in the song hints at The Beatles, but hey, that’s no bad thing, right?
"Rock Star" almost has a tongue-in-cheek intro not unlike Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit," based around a rock club the guys visit on each Japan visit. It’s a huge chant chorus type track, cheeky but still rocking enough to sustain the overall nature of the album’s format.
"Hole In The Sun" is perhaps not their strongest album title track, but it’s still in the same strong rock vein of the rest of the album and, yes, this album most definitely rocks with power and then some!
Don’t buy this expecting a bunch of ballads, but "Fool In Me" is a ballad akin to latter era Night Ranger releases, perhaps not "Goodbye, Sentimental Street" but strong enough in its own right.
"White Knuckle Ride" is almost rock / rapping on the verses, probably my least favorite track on album, though the chorus is strong and those guitars are riffing throughout!
Icing on the Cake
"Revelation 4AM" reminds me of Seven era Night Ranger again. It has its slow side on the verses and rocks a little more in the choruses. Lots of harmonies on this track. Awesome!
"Wrap It Up" is the first of the two Jeff Watson-penned tracks. It’s catchy and it maintains Night Ranger’s progression as this album. It really picks up and rocks harder than where Seven left off, and continues what Neverland really started these guys on a new path to keep current with today’s rock bands.
The last new song, "Being" is a beautiful, haunting, easygoing closing track that has a Renaissance kind of style and harmony.
In Europe this album only had the 12 songs I've told you about already. If you're a long time Night Ranger fan, I hope you enjoy the next two exclusive US bonus tracks as much as I do!
Acoustic versions of "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "Sister Christian" are fantastic! What stuns me with both tracks is there are no keys, no piano even, just guitars and drums, unplugged. It's incredible how they've polished these up. Guitar work is stunning. It's the icing in the cake!
Even the new cover art on the US release is a great improvement on the original releases elsewhere around the globe.
Watch for Night Ranger on tour (and, hopefully, on VH1!)
Date of review: June 24, 2008
US release date: July 1, 2008
Review by Alun Williams
