Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Night Ranger High Road Company: Frontiers Release: 2014 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Jonah Haze

Straight ahead kick ass 80's melodic rock

These proverbial Rangers of the Night have not, and will not, ever stop the melodic midnight madness. 'High Road' is not easy to walk in 2014 unless you are tried and true men in motion. The classic sounds of the 1980's are mostly relegated to mainstream European labels and audiences, but they can still rock in America. Eleven new tracks on this record reflect everything we have come to love about Night Ranger's straight ahead kick ass 80's melodic rock. 'High Road' coincides with the bands 30th anniversary and could easily serve as a greatest hits record spanning their career. It follows 'Somewhere in California' as a solid sequel, yet could stand on its own. The songs are polished, pumped and pre-made to pound super memorable sing along choruses with Blades and Keagy at their vocal best. Of course Keagy brings his best of power ballads to compete with "Sister Christian" and at least reminds us of his ageless muscle as a bulletproof songwriter. Gillis and Hoekstra rip and tear like a knife through a teddy bear. A few changes with subtle similar traits of the groovy and psychedelic Jack Blades solo release are heard here. In this way we distinguish the difference just enough to not accuse them guilty of complete repetition. If you love the way 80's classic rock makes you feel, play this CD and you'll immediately revel in the truth that hard rock can never break. In fact you could turn your stereo on and it would return the favor if you play this CD on the wettest, rainiest, darkest winter's day. The sweet melodic rock sounds soaring out of your speakers will stop the rain, break the clouds and shine the sun upon those who wish for a year round summer. Not recommended for fans of alternative grungy cry baby music. Recommended to rock.