 KELLY
KEAGY
I'm Alive
Frontiers Records 2007
www.frontiers.it
Live Night Ranger
pics 2007 / 2005
Genre
Rock / Melodic Rock / Hard Rock
The Good
The Night Ranger drummer enlists an all-star lineup of talent for his
first solo album in 6 years. Jim Peterik helped produce the album
and well as performing multiple musical roles. Winger guitarist Reb
Beach was featured on lead guitar as was uber melodic rock guitarist
Tommy Denander and Pride of Lions axe-slinger Mike Aquino. Great White
keyboardist Michael Lardie also appears.
I really liked the rougher and raspier vocal style that Keagy employs throughout
this album. There’s more of a live vibe to the songs instead of a staid
studio sounding CD. The title track serves as a superb opener. The song grabs
your ear and features a shredding guitar solo. “Where Are We Now” is
a quick little vocal track with a pounding rhythmic background. “Stolen” is
another track where the rhythm section shines through the brightest.
One of the noteworthy parts of the album is that even the songs that
start out with a slower midtempo pace eventually seem to rise up to that
high-energy
style.
It gives the listener one jolt of electricity after another.
The song “Life Worth Remembering” has a great set of lyrics and a
nice melodic tone as it moves along its merry way. It is simply a really cool
song. I loved the relentless pace of “World Before And After” It’s
got a superb guitar line that just makes you wish that if you did play guitar,
you came up with it.
The Bad
I didn’t particularly care for the song “Call In Another
Day”. To be honest, this track was the one cut that felt like
a filler song.
The Verdict
Kelly Keagy is best known for being the vocalist on the monster Night Ranger
hit “Sister Christian” I love the song and always will, but
if you are looking to see how he expands himself from the mid 1980’s
to now as a recording artist, I’m Alive is a certain definitive statement.
The songwriting and the musicianship are top notch from Keagy and his “band
of renown”. 2007 finds drummer Kelly Keagy in fine vintage as an
artist.
Did You Know?
Kelly Keagy works with guitarist Reb Beach in a band called The Mob.
Rating:   out
of 5
Related Reviews:
The Mob - S/T
Shaw/Blades - Influence
Night Ranger - Hits: Acoustic & Rarities
-- Jay Roberts
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