ALBUM OF THE WEEK #11 NIGHT RANGER - MIDNIGHT MADNESS (1983)

[RJhog (Admin)]

1. (You Can Still) Rock In America (Blades, Gillis)

2. Rumours In The Air (Blades)

3. Why Does Love Have To Change (Blades)

4. Sister Christian (Keagy)

5. Touch Of Madness (Blades)

6. Passion Play (Blades)

7. When You Close Your Eyes (Blades, Fitzgerald, Gillis)

8. Chippin' Away (Blades, Gillis)

9. Let Him Run (Blades, Keagy, Watson)

This week we travel back to 1983 and check out a great album by Night Ranger called Midnight Madness.  This was Night Ranger's second studio album and followed up another really nice, hard rocking album in
Dawn Patrol.  There are a few things that I really like about Night
Ranger.  First, they had two outstanding vocalists.  Both sounded
different and really complimented each other when adding backing vocals
to a track.  Secondly, the guitar playing was exceptional.  
and Brad GillisJeff Watson could really shred, but never in an aggravating way.
 And finally, the keyboard playing was always present but never
overshadowed the guitar playing.  All these things added up to an
awesome rock band that's actually still around in some way, shape or
form.

 

 

Singles:

 

(You Can Still) Rock In America

Sister Christian

When You Close Your Eyes

Okay, first the singles.  All three of these songs are terrific rock songs.  (You Can Still) Rock In America allows this album to come roaring out of the gate and contains a great solo that I would imagine
is a tradeoff between Gillis and Watson.  When You Close Your Eyes is
possibly my favorite NR tune.  It was a modest hit, but in my opinion
should have even been bigger.  And most people that were around in 1983
remember Sister Christian.  It was a huge hit for the band and probably
even pigeon holed them somewhat as a ballad band, which is very far from
the truth.  

Best Album Cuts:

Rumours In The Air

Why Does Love Have To Change

Touch Of Madness

Passion Play

Chippin' Away

Rumours In The Air is a true hidden gem.  Although it doesn't win the Hidden Gem trophy for this album, this song absolutely should have been a hit.  Great vocals and I love the keyboard that sounds kind of
like a violin (at least I think it's a keyboard).  Why Does Love Have To
Change is Kelly Keagy's first vocal on the album, and it is a fine
effort.  Another well above average song.  I also like Touch Of Madness,
especially the pre-chorus.  That's a great hook.  Passion Play is
another very good song by Jack Blades.  The solo isn't very long or
shred worthy, but it has a lot of soul and feel.  I also like the short
guitar solo outro.  Chippin' Away is also a good song.  If I had to pick
the weakest on the album, this would be it, but I don't think it's a
weak song.

Hidden Gem Award:

Let Him Run

This Kelly Keagy tune could be one of the best in the NR catalog.  It has a beautiful acoustic sound with gorgeous lead vocals and harmonies.  The lyrics here are outstanding, and although I love a great
guitar solo, they don't try to force one here.  This is just a superb
song.

So, there you have it.  As you can tell, I like this album a lot and I highly recommend it.  Hopefully you liked the new format.  I'll try to group the singles together each week, as well as the best album
cuts.  Then, for each AOTW, I'll try to pick what I think the one true
hidden gem is for that particular album.  As we all know, that is a very
subjective thing, and you may say the one true hidden gem is something
else.  Also, a truly great album will certainly have more than one
hidden gem.  That's why we have the comment field, so you can make your
opinion known.  I'm also gonna try to preview the following weeks album
with a little hint.  Maybe you'll guess it, maybe you won't.

Next Week:

I'm starting a 5 part series that I'll call "Audio Excellence By The Decade".  I'll hit the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's and pick an album from each decade that I think is pure excellence.  For part one we
visit 1969 and a band who is the poster child for the classic rock
genre.  Guess who?

[Scott]

Tommy James and the Shondells? hahahaha

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay, what am I missing?

[Scott]

Your excellence by the decade series, you said was starting with a band from 1969. I thought you used the question "Guess Who?" to tell us what band you were featuring, which I, in turn, took literally to mean "The Guess Who". Therefore my reply of "Tommy James and the Shondells?" was satirical.

Must be a be a dry humor day...

[RJhog (Admin)]

I got it now. No, it was seriously, guess the band and album. Sorry, I love dry humor, I guess I just need some sleep so I can actually get a good joke...

[Jon]

This album needs a remaster. Desperately.

[Niels (Mod)]

Somtime in the future, I would like "Seven Wishes" to be AOTW.(I know this belongs in another "thread").

[RJhog (Admin)]

One day it will be...of course a formal request would get it here faster...just kidding. I'll make sure it pops up soon.

[Niels (Mod)]

Thanks, RJhog. I knew, I could count on you. I have had a busy week, so I have a lot "to catch up with" on CRB.

[Scott]

Forgot how good this album really is. Your right Let Him Run is real good and the easy pick for best hidden gem. Also, I had forgotten how good Passion Play is... Nice Pick RJ!

Now back to that 1969 question. My serious answer is going to be the Beatles...

[RJhog (Admin)]

Thanks Scott. I think it is an excellent album. Watch for a special edition of AOTW soon featuring Night Ranger's Seven Wishes, thanks to a request by Niels.

As far as next week goes, I could say right or wrong, but then nobody else would guess...of course nobody else may guess anyway.

[Niels (Mod)]

Well, it could be "The Who"'s Tommy, but I'm with Scott on this one. Probably "Abbey Road".

[Niels (Mod)]

Ah, silly silly me. It's Led Zeppelin I or II off course, is'nt it?