Night Ranger – Hole In The Sun CD review (Updated US Release 06/24/08)
OK, Alright, for the record I'm going to get this out right now, I think this album is an excellent return for Night Ranger to the studio following on from 1998's Seven release & this year is the 25th for Night Ranger!
The thing is, it's different & that's not maybe what all NR fans wanted to hear & I've heard & read this & that at forums & other rock sites across the web, but without question it is an excellent rock release for 2008.
Sadly, some controversy surrounds this release & all manner of things have happened with the band, including the departure of 2 of the members that recorded this release in long time band member, lead guitarist Jeff Watson who wrote 2 songs himself, interestingly enough though he doesn't get any other co-write credit …, on this release & also Michael Lardie who covered keyboards in the band since 2004 & last year returned to the re-united Great White, to celebrate their 25th Anniversary.
Jeff Watson was initially replaced by Winger / Whitesnake man, Reb Beach who returned to Winger, to be replaced by unknown Joel Hoekstra & Lardie replaced by Christian Cullen ..s …
To the album then which was already released in Europe back in April '07, was scheduled a US release in May '07 & now has an official US release date of July 1st, 2008 through VH1 Classic records.
The band blows away any cobwebs with opener, Tell Your Vision which after an almost scratch mix type drum track intro, comes crashing in with killer guitars, rocking drums & a massive production sound. The vocals are certainly "out to getcha" style & the band mean business, no messing!
Drama Queen, without making other reviewers - who've already posted their reviews … - think I'm ripping them off, I must admit it is totally full of riffola here on the guitars like they're out to prove a point, but these guys have nothing to prove they are so far ahead of all that! I hear a sound in this track that is reminiscent of their lesser know – Underrated – period of Man In Motion / Neverland in terms of rocking guitars throughout.
Next track, You're Gonna Hear It From Me, I'm sorry, but I almost hear a hint of glam rock star Gary Glitter type influence in the chord structure & the drums in places, but then way more edgy than anything that, "that" character could ever produce. The scary thing is even the chanting late on in the song makes me think, "Rock 'n' Roll, Rock 'n' Roll ….," that made GG all his cash! Actually there's perhaps a hint of Def Leppard's Rocket to it in fact. It still rocks out though, really punchy track.
Whatever Happened next is for me kind of my surprise favorite track …, well, maybe 2nd fav on here, it's got a huge chorus, strong harmony vocals throughout & parts of it remind me of Peace Sign from the Seven album, although it's a much stronger track / song.
It's already been said elsewhere about next track, There Is Life that it's NR's up to date Sister Christian, but I think it stands alone on its own merits as the best track on this album IMHO. Some might say that the bridge late in the song hints at The Beatles, but hey, that's no bad thing right.
Rock Star almost has a tongue in cheek intro not unlike Nirvana's, Smells Like Teen Spirit, a little based around a rock club the guys visit on each Japan visit. It a huge chant chorus type track, cheeky but still rocking enough to sustain the overall nature of the albums format.
Title track Hole In The Sun is perhaps not their strongest album title track, but its still in the same strong rock vein of the rest of the album & yes, this album most definitely rocks with power & then some!
Don't buy this expecting a bunch of ballads, that said next track Fool In Me is a ballad akin to more latter era Night Ranger releases, perhaps not Goodbye, Sentimental Street, but again strong enough in it's own right.
White Knuckle Ride, is almost rock / rapping on the verses, probably my least fav track on here, chorus is still strong & guitars of course, riffing throughout!
Revelation 4AM reminds me of Seven era Night Ranger again, but once more I like this song, it has it's slow side on the verses & rocks a little more in the choruses. Lot's of harmonies on this track. Awesome!
Wrap It Up is the first of the 2 Jeff Watson penned tracks & it is catchy & it maintains Night Ranger's progression as this album really picks up & in fact rocks harder than where Seven left off & continues what Neverland really started for these guys on a new path to keep current with todays rock bands.
Last new song here, Being is a beautiful, haunting, easy going closing track that has an almost renaissance kind of style & harmony.
OK, in Europe this album only had the 12 songs I've told you about already. If you're a long time Night Ranger fan, I hope you enjoy the next 2 exclusive US bonus tracks as much as I did & do!
Have to tell you that I think the new US artwork is a great improvement on the original releases elsewhere around the globe last year.
Unplugged / acoustic versions of Don't Tell Me You Love Me & Sister Christian! Fantastic! What stuns me with both tracks is there are no keys, no piano even, guitars & drums only acoustically! It's incredible how they've polished these up in this format! Guitar work is stunning, on acoustics!!!
It's the Icing in the cake if you ask me!! Enjoy this it's great!
Watch out for them on tour & hopefully, on VH1!
4.5 / 5 & a rock steady return for a great band!
Alun Williams