Night Ranger’s frontman, Jack Blades, comes up with his second solo album and once again he succeeds in satisfying the fans of the American outfit and at the same time he delivers a record that sounds –at least partially- different to those Night Ranger offerings. After all, isn’t this the essence of a solo album…? I would, also, say that Blades surpasses in a quality level his debut solo album which included, by the way, a brilliant bunch of songs (let alone the fact that it contained some unreleased material from the “never to be” third Damn Yankees album).
“Rock N’ Roll Ride” kicks off with a superb and bombastic trio of rock n’ roll songs, out of which “Born For This” distinguishes from his melodic riffing. The rest of the songs are a little bit more smooth and mid-tempo with Blades showing off his Beatles influences with the ever characteristic melodic vocal lines. Nevertheless, every time I listen to “Anything For You” I am transferred to the atmosphere of “Neverland” as the song could have easily fit in the comeback record by Night Ranger back in 1997.
As a closing note, I’d say that “Rock N’ Roll Ride” is a fine sample of US melodic rockalbum although I must admit that it may appeal only to the followers of Night Ranger. That being said, the album is tight, flawless and mostly awesome and qualitative….with a much successful cover artwork.
Highlight: Check out, also, the personnel of “Rock N’ roll Ride”…I am sure that some of the names will sound familiar to you.
