a l b u m r e v i e w s


BRAD GILLIS
ALLIGATOR
Pony Canyon PCCY-01448
Produced by: Brad Gillis
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Night Ranger
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 84%

  1. Alligator
  2. Eyes
  3. Heart Shaped Wings
  4. Survive
  5. Circle Of Light
  6. Chain Gang
  7. Leap Of Faith
  8. Tanbark Tyrant
  9. Monche La Roughe
  10. Swami

Here it is! The long awaited new solo album from much loved Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis.
This is Brad's second album, following his all instrumental debut Gilrock Ranch. Alligator however is mainly vocal with only 2 instrumentals included.
The best news is that one time Night Ranger member Gary Moon returns for the first time since Feeding Off The Mojo to provide vocals for 5 tracks.
Alligator is a mixture of styles. Brad's influence on Night Ranger comes through in several places. There is definitely a healthy slice of Feeding Off The Mojo here, but the album also sees guitar parts most reminiscent of Brad's work on the Man In Motion album and also parts of Neverland and Seven. I don't see much of his influence in early Night Ranger here, I think it's basically a move on from that.
The album itself it is a blend of classic parts of melodic hard rock, with a few quieter moments and also some bold new experimental moments that might not sit as well with traditional Night Ranger fans.
The album is different enough to attract a few fans that maybe have not previously been a follower of the band or of Brad.
It's a relatively simple album, over in 10 tracks. Not a bad thing really, as it gets straight in there, gets to the point and then it's over before you know it.
Kicking off the album in fine style is the bluesy rocker Alligator. Gary Moon is at the helm for the first three tracks. There's a big chorus, but in between this song is more a bluesy swagger.
The award for the biggest most over the top hard rocker goes to Eyes! This is a killer hard rock track with Gary Moon in fine vocal style. Much in the vein of Feeding Off The Mojo's Music Box. The track builds to a frantic chorus where Gary truly lets go. The guitar work mid track is an amazing effects filled set of solos. More than 2 minutes of great guitar work that doesn't necessarily fit into any previous pigeon hole. Awesome!
A sensational lead break kicks off what must be the anthem of the album. Heart Shaped Wings is a big ballad rocker with a more mellow melodic touch applied. In fine voice, similar to that of Try from the Mojo album, Gary takes the song by the throat and simply sings his ass off. A souring power ballad with additional melodies and bridges throughout.
Just before things get too out of hand, Survive calms things down a little. Brad sings a short lead vocal on what is essential a new age influenced mellow guitar driven rock song. The track features some fantastic slow soloing lead guitar.
Circle Of Light is another Gary Moon vocal track. A moody intro leads this track into an almost classic U2 vibe. There is backing vocals hauntingly floated behind the mix and the chorus is again filled with effects. Things change a little in the second half of song, the full band comes to the fore and the vocals are more in you face. The chorus has a great hook and the song is memorable, while remaining definitely experimental. It takes several listens to get to know the whole songs and the various effects used.
Chain Gang is a Brad Gillis lead vocal. The track is a heavy, modern, alternative rocker, with layers of guitars over an almost industrial vocal effect, however, it doesn't really fit the style of the opening tracks.
Leap Of Faith is another big, fast and furious hard rocker. More from the Mojo album. Gary however sings darker and heavier then before. A good rocker that goes off toward the end in a big way.
Tanbark Tyrant is one of the two instrumentals. A cleaver piece of guitar work that for an instrumental is a good song within itself.
Monche La Roughe is a rough and live sounding uptempo rocker with a very loose vibe and shared vocals between Brad and Mark McGee. Again, nothing we have really heard from Brad before and something traditional fans will need time to adjust to. A good track though, with some astounding guitar soloing going on behind the vocals.
Swami ends the album as an instrumental. It's a seven minute epic that starts smoothly and ends up rocking out, giving Brad a showcase of his talents.
BOTTOM LINE: A very diverse album that runs the gauntlet of rock n roll styles. From classic hard rock to a track with a more loose punky vibe to a track with industrial influences.
Albums that vary so greatly in style sometime can suffer a little because of it and that might be the case here. It will certainly raise the eyebrows of some established Night Ranger fans - but then again - maybe that's the point!
Regardless of that, there are some killer tunes on Alligator, more than enough to recommend this album to any fans of good powerful melodic hard rock.
PRODUCTION: 80%SONGS: 85%VIBE: 84%ATTITUDE: 85%
ESSENTIAL FOR:
DISCOGRAPHY:Played with: Rubicon . Ozzy Osbourne . Night Ranger

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