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MelodicRock.com Reviews


BRAD GILLIS
ALLIGATOR
Frontiers / Now & Then FRCD 081
Produced by: Brad Gillis
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: Night Ranger
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 89%

  1. Alligator
  2. Bigger Than Life
  3. Heart Shaped Wings
  4. Survive
  5. Circle Of Light
  6. Eyes
  7. Chain Gang
  8. Still
  9. Tanbark Tyrant
  10. Leap Of Faith

Here is the long awaited US and European release of Brad's new solo record Alligator. The difference is subtle, yet amazing! Brad has dropped two tracks from the original Japanese release - Monche La Roughe & Swami - and replaced them with two new Gary Moon sung tracks - Bigger Than Life and Still.
Add to that, the album has been remastered and it's running order altered to great effect.
With these two tracks added, the US version has a much slicker progression from track to track and the feel of the album becomes more cohesive. Amazing what a couple of simple alterations can make.
Here is parts of my original review, with the two new tracks added:
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.
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.
Newly added track Bigger Than Life is a fantastic addition. It's a mid tempo melodic rocker, equal dose electric and acoustic, with a passionate and heartfelt anthem chorus and some great harmony vocals.
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.
A sensational lead break kicks off what must be the anthem of the album. 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.
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!
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.
Still is the other new track. It's another moody effect filled modern rock track that follows on from Chain Gang perfectly and leads nicely into the instrumental track that follows.
Tanbark Tyrant is one of the two instrumentals. A cleaver piece of guitar work that for an instrumental is a good song within itself.
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.
BOTTOM LINE: A better version of an already great album. As said previously there are moments even long time Night Ranger fans might have trouble with, but overall it has enough classic melodic rock moments to make most fans happy. The first half of the album is definitely the better; the second half sees Brad extend himself musically.
PRODUCTION: 90% SONGS: 90% VIBE: 88%ATTITUDE: 88%
ESSENTIAL FOR:
DISCOGRAPHY:Ozzy Osbourne; Night Ranger; Solo - Gilrock Ranch . Alligator



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