Don't Let Up

You have to admire Night Ranger for sticking with their tried and true formula for 35 years now – this is just good-old, fun rock and roll. I think this release draws from some of those 80’s themes (at least lyrically) a bit more so than the previous 3 releases, but the consistency in songwriting and performance is noteworthy. In other words, it is evident from the new material that these guys are quite comfortable with where they are at this point in time – not trying to invent anything new here, they apparently just love performing/rocking out. Their multi-faceted vocal approach mixed with great melodies, stellar guitar leads and keyboard is still a great formula for rock success. And there is definitely an effort on Don’t Let Up to keep the ballads to a minimum – most of these tunes have a catchy vibe with an upbeat rhythm. And there is a bit more funk and blues “(Won’t Be Your) Fool Again” this time around as well. Gillis has some great solos, still showcasing skills and creativity that have not waned much over the course of 3 decades. For me, “Say What You Want” is a great Night Ranger tune with those great melodic leads – robust guitar and key leads – to that fast “4 on the floor” beat. It may be the best track on this release. While I don’t love ending a release on a ballad, I think “Nothing Left of Yesterday” is a solid song. Overall, fans of the band really can’t much be disappointed with Don’t Let Up as this is pretty much classic Night Ranger with solid production and sound. I like it as much as High Road but not quite as much as Somewhere in California, which for me was a home run.The DVD features 2 music videos (cool that Frontiers still supports this kind of thing) and the band interviews with each member. It is evident from the interviews that these guys are vibrant, creative and still love performing live … and that they work incredibly well together after so many years – something quite rare in the era where artists work together for a few years on a few projects and then move on to something else. It is always great to see the band integrity thing (Kelly, Brad and Jack) stay intact.

The album is not perfect but there is not a better than four but not quite a five rating. Like the Somewhere in California or High Road where some of the songs hit right away and others took some time to grow on me, this is a pretty good album. I reviewed some of the other singles (the ones they had given out early). I think the songs have an overall Night Ranger quality with some that would fit into their later (now middle) albums. Again, I wish they had Kelly sing ballads and not do the power shrieking. Leave that to Jack, Kelly. You should have done more nice ballads on the album. If I was ranking songs of the last three albums, some of the songs would be mixed at the top and some at the bottom but that doesn't mean it is better or worse than Somewhere in California or High Road. It is right up there with them.The song by the same name as the title reminds me more of songs from Seven or Hole in the Sun more than old Night Ranger (We can work it out or Truth are others that would fit on Hole in the Sun or Seven). Too me that's a big plus. It still has the old Night Ranger catchiness to it and it's a really good song. It is just a lot more thoughtful and soulful than some of the other songs which makes me think of it as a good blend of time and experience. Other standouts are Somehow Someway with its quirky guitar intro and Nothing Left of Yesterday (another one that sounds like it would have fit in great with Hole in the Sun! They are really doing more with interesting intros - I think the new guitarist is fitting in well.I wish it showed up with the composers on it. I like their ballads but not having any that stand out is not a detractor for me though it would have been nice instead of a couple of the songs I didn't mention specifically which seem more like formula 1-2-3 but with Kelly doing his power scream voice which aren't my favorite - they are catchy and will probably grow on me (I won't uncheck them in the rotation) but I won't get that happy feeling when I hear the intro either.My only complaint about the digital downloads of late is most of them are missing the composer of the songs. Jack Blades is not letting up - I just wonder if his son is still writing or co-writing songs because this album is shy of soft ballads (We can work it out is the closest but it is way too upbeat and quirky to count for me but I like the song a lot - it's a toe tapper) which some people might consider a detriment (who want another Sister Christian which I don't ever have to hear again).

Night Ranger was a decent band, still are actually. This CD isnt great, but many of their prior CD's were mediocre as well. this continues that pattern. But they are nostalgic for me, so not a terrible purchase, but this isnt their shining moment, though some of the tracks are pretty heavy for them of late. Seems like they lost momentum on this one.If you like the band buy it. Has some good AOR tracks, good Guitar work but a bunch of mediocrity mixed in. As with several later releases, I will listen to it, but then return to the 80's stuff or the latest live CD's they came out with. Though 'Somewhere in California', 'High Road' and the live albums have been really good, this is back to standard fare and not too inspired.I wanted more I guess, but others may like it more than I do.No real strong moments, but nothing offensively bad either. Starts out strong and weakens. Just doesnt make me want to re-listen. The DVD is pretty cool though. Makes the deluxe a more worthy purchase.I do understand we cant go back 30+ years, but they need a bit more bal*s than this has to offer. It does rock, just doesn't 'stick'. Listen once or twice, and back to the standard releases. Hopefully they get their roots back a little more on the next release, or just keep touring and putting out live releases with a new track or 2 that are strong. They cant carry a whole album with this stuff. At least not one that is memorable. Jack Blades last solo CD was better. My fear is this will lose the momentum that 'High Road' started.Still has its moments, just not many of them.(Update: After further listens, decided to up to a 4. It took a couple spins, and a few tracks are still bland, but its more like a 3.75 release so I upped it to 4. Has its moments)