NIGHT RANGER - Somewhere In California
August 1, 2011, 12 years ago
(Frontiers)
Ten records in, NIGHT RANGER shift slightly from the more thoughtful, equally cool Hole In The Sun sound back to their patented zesty life-affirming twist on hair metal. But that tag would be a form of dismissal, ‘cos Night Ranger were somewhat of a proto-hair thing, like Loverboy or New England, as a result, forging a new sweet rockin’ alloy all on their lonesome, which is so brilliantly pulled forward 30 years here. It’s talent that makes Somewhere In California soar so gloriously, the talent of arrangement, of multiple lead vocalists hollerin’ their hearts out, of gushed melody, of smoking yet memorable guitar solos when Gillis is so inclined to spice the already spiced. The abstract with these inspirers is always a sense of seething, face-flung energy, perhaps best personified by the personality of Jack Blades, and that’s all over this record – particularly, see ‘It’s Not Over’ and hopped-up opener ‘Growin’ Up In California’. Furthermore, Night Ranger are the kings of purpose to the parts, with breaks, pre-choruses and choruses always taking those in need of a pick-up, up. At the metal end, man, capability again, ‘cos these guys always give you the impression that they want to rock out more than allowed, so when they do, they make it count (like each day of their dwindling years – yet another subconscious message), as with ‘End Of The Day’ and ‘Lay It On Me’, the latter a great snarler, yet still, convertible rock like the more ear-candied candies.
