Night Ranger Albums Ranked
Night Ranger is an American rock band from San Francisco formed in 1979 that gained popularity during the 1980s with a series of albums and singles. The band’s first five albums sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and have sold 17 million albums total. The quintet is best known for the power ballad “Sister Christian”, which peaked at No. 5 in June 1984. After their success waned in the late 1980s, the band split up in 1989 and its members pursued other musical endeavors, including group and solo efforts. Brad Gillis and Kelly Keagy teamed up with bassist Gary Moon and released an album without the other original band members in 1995, but the band soon reunited to release two new albums in the latter half of the decade. Here are all of Night Ranger albums ranked.
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10. Big Life (1987)
“Night Ranger never got the respect that they deserved. Every track on this album is definitely a smash hit, since the beginning that every band wish to have written the song Big Life to open their concerts until the end that shows what a great ballad should be with Hearts Away.”
9. Night Ranger’s Greatest Hits (1989)
“The album opens with a strong rocker, “Rock In America”, to get your blood pumping. “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” is a pretty solid rocker too. “Goodbye” slows things down and delivers the expected power-ballad guitar solos. “The Secret Of My Success” spices things up with a beat that is more dance-oriented. The album as a whole is a collection of entertaining, mostly non-challenging 80’s rock, and a good exhibition of the band’s versatility.”
8. Hole In The Sun (2007)
“Hole in the sun is fast and hard in a lot of spots, and the solos can be furious (but most leave me rather uninspired). So many other times these guys would take you on a musical ride and with the solo(s) they’d be blasting you off to a sonic high. The hooks/melodies are good in spots. Jack Blades has a definite knack for them and tosses in some good lyrics too but sometimes they make me cringe a bit.”
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7. Man In Motion (1988)
“Man In Motion is Night Ranger’s best “forgotten” album. Its combination of killer hard rock/pop metal and accessible radio-friendly singles, stellar musicianship, infectious hooks, and terrific lyrics make it a hard rock fan’s dream come true. This is my favourite album by Night Ranger and I still think Don’t start thinking I’m alone tonight should off been a 10 hit single!”
6. High Road (2014)
“High Road is one of my favorite Night Ranger songs and this album is another example of classic rock at its best.While a lot of other older bands running around just do shows and regurgitate the same songs over and over Night Ranger lead by legend Jack Blades continues to not only produce new music but great music as well. These guys should have more cred and be a rock station staple with a couple songs from every album, not just Sister Christian”
5. Neverland (1997)
“Excellent comeback for a top-notch band. I highly recommend this disc. Probably better than any other released by Night Ranger. From the melodic “Forever all over again”, to the rockin’ “I don’t call this love”, this album flows from track to track with ease. Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson shine with spectacular runs, and the songwriting has never been stronger.”
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4. Seven (1998)
“I love Night Ranger all the way through Dawn Patrol to Seven the latest release in 1998. It is a bit different from Dawn Patrol and Midnight Madness edge but that doesn’t mean the album is not good. No, listen carefully. Unlike 80s they didn’t get the respect they deserve. But their excellent songwriting which make the rock fun and give positive energy for us to live on is unfaltered.”
3. 7 Wishes (1985)
“Highlights on this album are many. The opening track, the title track, is a full-fledged rock track, as is the next track “Faces”. “Four In The Morning” is a great mid-tempo track and was a moderate hit. “I Need A Woman” is a rocker and has a slow groove all at the same time. “Sentimental Street” is a very fine melodic power ballad and the band’s only other top 10 hit besides the more-famous “Sister Christian”. Great song.”
2. Midnight Madness (1983)
“Classic release. Has the fire and hunger of a band that wants to make a big splash. And they did… this album broke them big with energetic songs, great performances, and memorable melodies. Great guitar playing from Gillis and Watson. Great keyboards from Fitz. Great drums and box from Kelly. And great vox (and bass) from Jack. If you want the best NR ever… this is it. The Greatest Hits is good, too, but this one… it’s really really good.”
1. Dawn Patrol (1982)
” The rest of the album, from Blades’ haunting ballad “Call My Name” to his scorcher “Eddie’s Comin’ Out Tonight” (featuring brilliant guitar trade-offs from Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson), and to Kelly Keagy’s infectious “Young Girl in Love” to his longing for “Penny,” makes Night Ranger’s debut album an essential in any ’80s rock collection.”
