Night Ranger – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Night Ranger (2000, MCA Records)
1. “Sister Christian” … 5:03
2. “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” … 4:22
3. “Sing Me Away” … 4:13
4. “Eddie’s Comin’ Out Tonight” … 4:30
5. “(You Can Still) Rock in America” … 4:16
6. “When You Close Your Eyes” … 4:16
7. “Sentimental Street” … 4:13
8. “Four In The Morning (I Can’t Take Anymore)” … 3:54
9. “Goodbye” … 4:21
10. “The Secret of My Success” … 4:30
11. “I Did It for Love” … 4:48
I guess the official title is the one I typed out above, but whatever, that’s ridiculous. Tons of artists falling under the umbrella of the Universal Music Group were getting the 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection treatment around this time.
I’ve documented my love/hate relationship with AOR and melodic rock in the past so that’s why this is my one and only Night Ranger purchase. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try any of their albums so I started simple with a collection built for the casual listener. Casual I shall remain. It’s not that this album is bad, there’s nothing wrong with it but Night Ranger strays too far on the wimpy side of rock too often to prove interesting enough to warrant a further look into their catalog.
Slick rock like this is good, but in small doses, and it just doesn’t hook me enough to feel like I need to own a studio album. Basically, every song here sounds like it was written for a motion picture soundtrack. In fact, “The Secret of My Success” was written for a movie — the Michael J. Fox film of the same name.
The band could come up with some fun rockers when they wanted to though. “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America” are especially enjoyable. Most people know this band for “Sister Christian” but I’ve always hated that song. If they band was going to have a hit power ballad, it should’ve been the relaxing “Goodbye”.
Highlights: “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, “(You Can Still) Rock in America”, “When You Close Your Eyes”, “Sentimental Street”, “Four In The Morning (I Can’t Take Anymore)”, “Goodbye”
THE METAL MISFIT 
I’m just a huge fan of Jack Blades. His side project with Tommy Shaw of Styx – Shaw/Blades I enjoy immensely. They do a ton of cover songs from the ’70’s. I also have always been fond of Brad Gillis too… ever since he played for Ozzy on “Speak of the Devil”, back in 1982.
You are right… Night Ranger always had that “motion picture soundtrack sound” about them. This band would never doubt their “commercial appeal”, that is for sure. Night Ranger is a “good times” 80’s Hard Rock band for me. Their newest album – “Hole In The Sun” is heavier in spots than what I had expected, overall a solid studio album you “might” like… really. You would probably like Jeff Watson’s songs on this album the most… he leans on the heavier side of Rock. However, Night Ranger does have an acoustic version of “Sister Christian” on it, so that would tick you off!
It’s cool to see your taking the time to write about this band… they have some history.
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It’s funny, they just announced Sister Christian for either Guitar Hero or Rock Band (can’t remember) this week!
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