KELLY KEAGY is no unknown musician in the field of US 'melodic' Hard Rock. And how can this be happening since he's credited with none other than the monstrous 80s giants NIGHT RANGER? Having so much time to receive any news bout his whereabouts, it was with real pleasure to receive this CD for review.
KEAGY may be primarily known for his works within the NIGHT RANGER camp (plus his works with THE MOB lately), but he has for many yerars also focused in songwriting and production too, plus some guitar playing and - as we can see years after the RANGER deeds - lead singing). Co-founding NIGHT RANGER in the early 80s - along with Brad Gillis (OZZY OSBOURNE, VICIOUS RUMORS) and Jack Blades (DAMN YANKEES, TMG) he achieved great (platinum, too) success in this specific decade. Time Passes (2001) was his first release, flirting with AOR music in general (not too much info needed) but also experimenting with some other 'vibes'.
I'm Alive is destined to convince us he's still alive. Does the CD succeed in so? Hmmm, a tough one...There's nerve in this release, while KEAGGY seems in great shape to deliver what he has in mind. The production is fresh, while the songwriting is interesting enough. But this is it, in the end of the day. Taking a break from his duties with the 'comeback' NIGHT RANGER works, KEAGY invites a lot of friends - Jim Peterik (SURVIVOR, PRIDE OF LIONS, IDES OF MARCH) and Reb Beach (WINGER, DOKKEN, WHITESNAKE, THE MOB) do the main 'dirty' job - and offer a set of AOR/Hard Rock tunes in various tempos. The stuff is not 'mellow' and tracks like Blink Of An Eye and Where The Road Ends can as well be 'season' favorites, but KEAGGY's singing is somehow flat - not bad at all, though - and eventually not much is to be said other than the punctual instrumentation.
I'm Alive is a rather good album (I consider it better than the 2001 solo debut), but only if you have some money left from your other 'shopping'. This release will definitely not disappoint you but - on the other hand - you can certainly move on to the new year without it.