Frontiers Records [Release date 06.06.14]
It’s encouraging to see Night Ranger try and break out of the nostalgia circuit and proving their enduring relevance with new product, this album coming three years after a return to form in Somewhere In California.
The title track, which went down a treat at their recent headlining appearance at Frontiers Rock Festival In Italy, opens with a real statement of intent- instantly catchy with a strong hook and a ‘yeah-yeah’ chorus that radio would pick up on if there were interest in veteran acts new material.
However things then take a dip in quality by their high standards, with ‘Knock Knock Never Stop’ the sort of off-cut that Aerosmith would have rejected and ‘Rollin On’ rather too derivative of the likes of Firehouse and Warrant.
Nevertheless ‘Don’t Live Her Anymore’, which sees a first vocal of the album from drummer Kelly Keagy, is a refreshing departure with a seventies feel, building from a brooding Bad Company-esque intro to an organ solo from Erik Levy and guitar solos as an epic stretches to nearly six minutes.
‘I’m Coming Home’ has some great melodic hooks, ‘X Generation’ radiates the energy of a younger band as the twin guitars break out, and ‘Only For You Only’ proves that 30 years after ‘Sister Christian’, NR still have the knack of writing a ballad that tugs at the heart strings.
One of the album’s delights is that each succeeding song presents a different side to their game: ‘Hang On’ and ‘St Bartholemews’ have a more uptempo edge to them, the latter’s style offering a clue why Aerosmith have used Jack Blades as a songwriter over the years, before ‘Brothers’ has the laid back, folk rock feel of their native California, with some vocal harmonies that would have sat well on the Shaw-Blades albums and ‘LA No Name’ closes out the album in unexpected fashion with duelling acoustic guitars from Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis.
This album took a couple of listens to fully appreciate but while perhaps not as consistent throughout as ‘Somewhere In California’, the highs on this album and its sheer diversity continue Night Ranger’s current hot streak of form. ****
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
