The late 80’s hard rock scene was populated with as many mediocre acts as talented ones, Winger by a wide margin one of the latter.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Winger
ALBUM: Winger
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: 7 81867-2
YEAR: 1988
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Kip Winger – vocals, bass, keyboards * Reb Beach – guitars, vocals * Paul Taylor – guitars, keyboards, vocals * Rod Morgenstein – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Madalaine * 02 Hungry * 03 Seventeen * 04 Without The Night * 05 Purple Haze * 06 State Of Emergency * 07 Time To Surrender * 08 Poison Angel * 09 Hangin’ On * 10 Headed For A Heartbreak * 11 Higher And Higher
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
The late 80’s hard rock scene was populated with as many mediocre acts as talented ones, Winger by a wide margin one of the latter. Mixing the elements of party rock with AOR wizardry, the bands success was guaranteed, especially with the larger than life Winger at the helm, one of the last rock gods of the modern era.
The band formed after Winger and Taylor ended a stint with Alice Cooper, Beach entering the fold shortly after. Morgenstein was of course a member of Dixie Dregs, lending a veteran hand to the drum kit.
Teaming up with the then prolific Beau Hill assured a commercial edge, one year earlier Winger and Beach having contributed guest vocals to Twisted Sister‘s ‘Love Is For Suckers’ which Hill had produced.
The Songs
The album spawned a succession of hits, ‘Madalaine’ the opener one of them. Right away it demonstrates the bands willingness to incorporate tasteful melodies without sacrificing anything in the way of heavy riffs.
Many will recall the explosive (literally!) video for ‘Hungry’, AOR at its most dramatic and slick, bringing to mind the tension of the late 80’s rock era.
The provocative ‘Seventeen’ would be unthinkable in the lacklustre musical climate of the modern day, leaving me wondering as to how backwards everything is now. The band would probably be arrested for indecency in 2004. Was it only sixteen years ago people appreciated harmless, good time rock like this?
‘Without The Night’ qualifies as one of 1988’s AOR milestones, overloading the keyboards and melody to breaking point, a power ballad that hasn’t aged one jot. In contrast the bands cover of ‘Purple Haze’ rattles the floorboards, staggering heaviness that wipes the floor with many a thrash band from the period.
The barrage of quality continues with ‘State Of Emergency’, a track I recall repeating over and over many years ago, thanks to a thrilling bridge section two minutes in, glorious pumping AOR.
On a roll, ‘Time To Surrender’ keeps the momentum moving, demolishing the supposed classic that was House Of Lords that same year.
The hard rock of ”Poison Angel’ and ‘Hangin’ On’ eclipses Poison, Warrant, Skid Row, Cinderella or even Van Halen, before ‘Heading For A Heartbreak’ concludes the album on an AOR high, another major hit, deservedly so.
In Summary
The common perception of Winger in 1988, and even now in 2004 is that of a formularised group of pretty boys with no depth. That’s the type of logic that frustrates me to this day, people only remembering the band because of a Winger shirt worn by a fat nerd on ‘Beavis And Butthead’ in the 90’s.
Winger were the ultimate professional act, with a leader in Winger who defined what a frontman should look and sound like. Winger enjoyed more success with 1990’s excellent ‘In The Heart Of The Young’ before grunge reared its head, a third set 1993’s ‘Pull’ dying a quick death, admittedly weak material with a forced heavier direction that eliminated keyboards and melody.
The band reformed in 2002 to tour with Poison, which I saw first hand, the band still demonstrating their prowess. Where ‘Winger’ stands in the AOR hall of fame with fans is unknown, but by rights it should be right up there.
Winger on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
