Like Aldo Nova’s ‘Subject’ from the same year, ‘Midnight Madness’ is Night Ranger’s follow up to their classic 1982 ‘Dawn Patrol’ debut. This sophomore effort was roundly panned, when in many ways it was better than its predecessor.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Night Ranger
ALBUM: Midnight Madness
LABEL: Camel/MCA
SERIAL: MCA-5456
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Jack Blades – lead vocals, bass * Kelly Keagy – lead vocals, drums * Brad Gillis – guitars * Jeff Watson – guitars * Alan Fitzgerald – keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 (You Can Still) Rock In America * 02 Rumours In The Air * 03 Why Does Love Have To Change * 04 Sister Christian * 05 Touch Of Madness * 06 Passion Play * 07 When You Close Your Eyes * 08 Chippin’ Away * 09 Let Him Run
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Like Aldo Nova‘s ‘Subject’ from the same year, ‘Midnight Madness’ is Night Ranger’s follow up to their classic 1982 ‘Dawn Patrol’ debut. This sophomore effort was roundly panned, when in many ways it was better than its predecessor.
To many observers the music didn’t match up to ‘Dawn Patrol’, ‘not as heavy’ many thought, but realistically it was more direct. The choruses are immediate and the vital synth-guitar combo is more melodic.
The chart results were undeniable. The album went top twenty while ‘Sister Christian’ hit no 5 in the singles charts. ‘(You Can Still) Rock In America’ and ‘When You Close Your Eyes’ fared well also, hitting the respective positions of 51 and 14.
The Songs
‘(You Can Still) Rock In America’ was an instant ‘made for radio’ anthem. Very non-threatening hard rock with the obligatory blatant sing-a-long chorus. This gets more airplay in the U.S. as the years go on. ‘Rumours In The Air’ is a show of synth brilliance, interspersed with melodic riffing. Those synth solos are showstopping.
‘Why Does Love Have To Change’ features the dual lead work of Watson and Gillis, a highlight of the whole album. ‘Sister Christian’ is the overplayed classic ‘ballad’ which grew stale years back. It’s hardly a ballad, those guitars are way too heavy for that.
‘Touch Of Madness’ doesn’t have the payoff hook of side one, but feisty hard rock. As ‘AOR’ as they were, early Night Ranger relied on big riffs as much as the keyboards. Quite the pivotal pair were Watson and Gillis.
‘Passion Play’ has a memorable opening first few bars, so melodic you know a treat is in store. The chorus has perfect backing harmonies with the lead vocal riding them.
The nostalgia of ‘When You Close Your Eyes’ recalls when ‘we learned about love in the back of a Chevrolet’ with a harmless but pleasant chorus. ‘Chippin Away’ and ‘Let Him Run’ end things on a stellar note. Faultless in all departments and textbook AOR to any man.
In Summary
This albums position must be evaluated after nearly 20 years. Released at a time when classic AOR was as common as grass, maybe this might have let certain people down. But taken into account in the present day it wipes the floor with most of today’s material.
It has all the melody in the world – what more is needed? A case perhaps of not believing everything you might have read. Real AOR fans knew the truth way back then.
Night Ranger on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
