Similar to
AOR
rockers
Styx
,
Journey
, and
REO Speedwagon
Night Ranger
yielded the same electric guitar wallop via
Jeff Watson
and
Brad Gillis
and sported a high-powered lead singer in the likes of
Jack Blades
. Since their albums only contained a small amount of strong material,
Night Ranger's Greatest Hits
is the essential one-stop for all of this band's best work. With half of these songs finding their way to
Billboard
's Top 40, it's evident that
did produce some likable
rock & roll
. Highlighted by
"Sister Christian,"
the band's one-part-ballad, two-parts-guitar-throttle claim to fame, along with the amusing pretentiousness of
"Sentimental Street,"
this compilation does have its moments. The bouncy
rock
tempo of
"Goodbye"
towed along by some skillful electric guitar playing makes this an avid standout. Even the
Sammy Hagar
-sounding
"Don't Tell Me You Love Me"
still holds up, as does the glossy melody that maneuvers its way through
"When You Close Your Eyes."
"Four in the Morning"
follows suit with its systematic chords and rollicking chorus, and
Blades
pulls no punches on
"The Secret to My Success"
from the movie of the same name. This is truly the only
album one will ever need. ~ Mike DeGagne