Artist: Night Ranger  
   Title: Hole In The Sun
   Label: Frontiers Records

Everybody I know has a Night Ranger album in their collection, I myself have everyone except 'Neverland', must remember to rectify that fact.  This new album sees the reformed Night Ranger, albeit without Fitz on keyboards, his place being taken by Michael Lardie of Great White fame, and boy are they in a rockin’ mood. This must be the most contemporary release from a band who’s previous releases have always offered something different.

'Tell Your Vision' kicks off the album and after a bit of drum and bass at the start, the guitars are in your face, heavy and with a bit of Dawn Patrol thrown in for good measure.  Kelly Keagy’s vocals have an edge about them, making this a very up to date catchy track.

Next up is 'Drama Queen', this track rocks along at some pace and once again the guitars are in your face although not as heavy as the opener.  There are some tasty classic dual guitar sections and great solos.

'Gonna Hear From Me', starts with some massive Kelly Keagy drumming and the guitars kick in and we’re off and rockin’ again.  This song has attitude with a capital A and not something most NR fans will be familiar with, but once again it’s a catchy tune.

The intro to 'Whatever Happened' sounds like the intro to 'Jessie’s Girl' by Rick Springfield, but that’s where the similarity ends as the song goes into an Avril Lavigne style chorus, and a frenzy of guitars bursting from the speakers, very modern and contemporary.

'There Is Life', is the big ballad of the album and the closest the band get to their old style, lots of piano and a huge chorus.

Another very modern and contemporary tuned down song is 'Rock Star', a bit punky with a catchy chorus and great vocals from Keagy and Blades and some quirky guitar.

Title track 'Hole In The Sun', is mid-tempo rocker, bit Green Dayish at the beginning, leading into a another catchy chorus, although this is my least favourite track on the album.

An acoustic ballad, 'Fool In Me', is up next and features a great vocal performance from Kelly Keagy.  This is quite a catchy tune and take a listen to those bongos as well.

'White Knuckle Ride' has more tuned down guitars, imagine a more melodic Machine Head, heavy riffing with Keagy and Blades sharing the lead vocal duties once again.

'Revelation 4am' starts of quietly, with lush acoustic guitar sound that underpins the song, then the big chorus to shake out that mellow mood.

Penultimate song on the album is 'Wrap It Up', is pacy rocker and close to their original sound.  A song that wouldn’t be out of place on the dance-floor of any rock night, big guitars with another catchy chorus.  This has to be my favourite on the album.

Finishing off the album is 'Being', another acoustic ballad, this song has an understated simplicity to it, and I love the drums and bass-lines that flow through this song.

There we have it, the new and improved Night Ranger, always trying to push their musical boundaries and not stagnate.  This is a very modern, up-to-date, contemporary album with something for everyone.

* Review by Brassy.

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