After success with the respectable 'Midnight Madness' and 'Seven Wishes', the commercial draw got too much for 'Night Ranger' and they released this, their most pop friendly effort to date. The Metal content of the former albums is barely present here and the overuse of synthesiser are definitely no compensation. Although a squeaky clean performance all round, lacks the substance and depth of earlier work, 'Big Life' has its moments, but these are too far and few to make this release memorable.

The title track is catchy, with its defining chorus, and solid rhythm, but is ultimately let down by the keyboard overkill. 'Color of Your Smile' is an improvement, which opens up with some tasty guitar licks and follows with some strong vocal work combined with a pleasant uplifting beat. The slower tempo 'Love is Standing Near' is a fairly run-of-the-mill affair. 'Rain Comes Crashing Down' is a promising number, plenty of emotion displayed throughout, I especially like the keyboard work simulating the sound of rain and the guitar solo is also pretty impressive also. The title track to the film by the same name 'The Secret of my Success' is a typical 80's soundtrack, lyrically inspirational, but musically forgettable. The guitar opening to 'Carry On' is very 'Dokken' sounding, but overall is a pretty lightweight and predictable offering. Things don't improve much with the dreary 'Better Let it Go', which includes some abysmal use of synthesiser, the average rock / ballad 'I know Tonight' and the closing track the sleep inducing 'Hearts Away'.

Strictly for 'Pop Metal' fans only, be warned.