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NIGHT RANGER - ATBPO - 7/107/10
Summary
Frontiers Music
Release date: August 6, 2021
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10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.
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User Review
( votes)The Backstory
ATBPO is the 12th studio album by the multi-platinum selling group Night Ranger. The album’s acronym stands for And The Band Played On, an ode to making music during the covid era. Night Ranger started the writing process in early 2020, but were forced to record it in separate locations throughout the year.
The Album
The album’s opening track “Coming For You” is full of energy and trademark Night Ranger vocal melodies. “Bring It All Home” is a mid-tempo rocker with everyone lending their voice to the chorus. Brad Gillis tears it up on the guitar during the solo. Gillis leads the charge with fiery licks all the way through “Breakout.”
“Hard to Make It Easy” has a bluesy bounce to it, like Grand Funk Railroad’s “Some Kind of Wonderful.” It wouldn’t be a Night Ranger album without an emotional ballad. “Can’t Afford a Hero” is an acoustic track full of passion and layered vocals. Drummer Kelly Keagy employs a “We Will Rock You” style drum beat to kick off “Dance.” The track is as simplistic as you can get, but that’s how Rock ‘n Roll should be.
Night Ranger busts out the acoustics once again again for “The Highest Road.” If you want to relive the piss-and-vinegar days of the group, look no further than “Monkey.” A funky blues riff dominates “Lucky Man,” while “Tomorrow” lifts and raises your confidence with its positive affirmations.
The Verdict
Night Ranger have nothing left to prove. With their long string of hits they could ride the nostalgia wave until the end, but they choose to continue making new music for their fans. It’s unfair to compare ATBPO to classic Night Ranger albums from 1982-1987. It was a different time, a different era for music, and they were a younger band.
However, if you compare ATBPO to the last two Night Ranger albums (Don’t Let Up, High Road), you’ll hear that group is back on par with their impressive Frontiers Music debut Somewhere in California (2011). Night Ranger is nearing their 40th year in music. On ATBPO the band is still telling great stories though catchy lyrics and the multi-part-harmonies that made them famous.
Tracklist
Coming For You
Bring It All Home To Me
Breakout
Hard To Make It Easy
Can’t Afford A Hero
Cold As December
Dance
The Hardest Road
Monkey
A Lucky Man
Tomorrow
Savior (Bonus Track for CD and LP only)
Night Ranger is
Jack Blades – Bass and Vocals
Kelly Keagy – Drums and Vocals
Brad Gillis – Guitars
Eric Levy – Keyboards
Keri Kelli – Guitars
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