It seems like just a few months ago we were talking about the latest NIGHT RANGER release "Somewhere In California." Now here we are in early 2012 and Jack Blades is back once again with his latest solo release "Rock N Roll Ride" but this ain't no  NIGHT RANGER release! Appropriately titled, "Rock N Roll Ride" is a solid blend of musical styles and diverse flavors inspired by Jack's own "Rock N Roll Ride" through out his three-plus decades in the music industry and simply through life itself.

Right out of the box, the CD hits you straight between the eyes with the adrenaline pumping rocker "Born For This" co-written by the incredible song writing talent of Jim Peterik. This is just a killer track with and edgy, aggressive melody that'll really get your heart pounding. Jack's vocals are simply astounding as he tears through the verse's with ease leading right up to a thick, rich chorus which will leave you begging for more. And if you haven't seen it yet, ya gotta check out the video for this. Very well done with a powerful, underlying message and hey, recognize the star of the video? It's none other than Jack's son Colin who co-wrote one of the songs on the release as well... but we'll get to that.

The title track "Rock N Roll Ride" is another cool, up tempo rocker. Maybe not as aggressive as "Born For This" but still holds its own with some heavy guitar riffs and solos compliments of Joel Hoekstra. And continuing on in this vein is what is fast becoming my favorite track on the release "Born For This." I absolutely love the lyrics and message behind this one which is almost a  bit autobiographical in it's final verse preceded by another very cool guitar solo by Hoekstra.

"Hardest Word to Say" is the album's ballad. This is another great track as once again Jack's vocals really have a chance to shine and flow with emotion over a somber, tear-jerking chorus. "Anything For You" is the first track where you can really hear Jack's strong BEATLES influence. Co-penned with CHEAP TRICK's Robin Zander, you can definitely hear his influence on this one as well as it could easily have been a nice addition to just about any CHEAP TRICK CD. Then without the heavy keyboard intro, "Love Life" is an epic, high octane rocker which I definitely feel a bit of THE WHO influence on reminding me ever so slightly of "Baba O'Riley" while "West Hollywood" returns to that BEATLE-esq mode only this time the track was co-penned by Jack's son Colin who he remembers just happened to be strumming the melody one morning and they both took it from there to produce another cool addition to the release.

"Say You Will" launches the album back into overdrive with a strong, melodic chorus and some very cool guitar riffs... absolutely love the bridge on this one as well which leads into one of the best guitar features on the release. "Don't Give Up" slows it down a bit again having a bit of a Tom Petty feel to it. Then Jim Peterik returns once again to make his mark on "Rise And Shine." This one starts off a little slow but don't be deceived... it builds into a strong rocker with a touch of that Peterik groove to the chorus and strong, melodic bridge. And finally, the acoustic-driven "Hey Now" rounds off the release and really reminds me of something you might hear on a SHAW/ BLADES release with it's bluesier melody.

"Rock N Roll Ride" is definitely a keeper and seems to have a little bit of something to offer to everyone! Whether you're a fan of NIGHT RANGER or not, if you like that edgier, hard-rock sound you'll absolutely eat up tracks like "Born For This" or "Back In The Game." If ya like that more "classic-rock" sound, you'll definitely get into "Love Life" or "Anything For You" or if you're looking for a new, fresh ballad to serenade your sweetheart to, there's the beautifully done "Hardest Word To Say." Great release over all and another feather in the cap of this rock 'n roll icon.