The Random Review: Winger

The cult movie Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey  is where I first heard music that would shape my teenage years. I found the soundtrack in my local music store around the summer of 2002 on cassette for a bargain price of £3. I heard Groups like Primus, Megadeth, King’s X, and Neverland. The second track on the album was “Battle Stations” by Winger. Needlessly to say this track got me curious. Without the internet, the chances of finding any albums were bleak. I was Lucky one day though. In a record shop in Glasgow, in a cheap heavy rock vinyl bin, there it was; Wingers debut album. After taking it home and listening to it with much anticipation, I was very impressed. “Seventeen” with its tight syncopated riff that just pulls you in. “Madalaine” with its 80s sounding acoustic intro, in which the band cuts through with their high-energy riffage. This incidentally was the first song Reb Beach and Kip Winger wrote together.  “Without the Night” is an epic 80s ballad; you can just hear this this filling countless stadiums. The whole bands delicious vocal harmonies paired with the soft striped down arrangement “Without the Night” soars high. “State of Emergency” shows a glimpse of prog rock. This was a surprise, as despite the big hair and the spandex, they are more than just competent musicians. The finale “Headed for Heartbreak” is still one of the bands best songs and a live favourite. It is notable for featuring in my opinion Reb Beach's best solo; it's a melodic 80s guitar shred fest that ends on a lush high. The lyrics on the album on the other hand, are hair metal lyrics. They are never going to be deep like Floyd or Tull. However, the audience enjoys them; they still sing-along to “Hungry” and “Seventeen.” It's all good fun. Does the album hold up in today? Well being produced by eighties hair metal producer Beau Hill who produced acts like Alice Cooper, Ratt, Europe, Twisted Sister, Fiona, and the John Miles Band. Beau captured a good band, on good form. A great debut by a supposedly stereotypical hair metal band; who has etchings of prog rock in their songs.  In 1988 if you wanted something different; heavy musically but total fun to listen to. I would recommend Winger. If you are still put off by the hair metal look well… you only had to wait a year until Dream Theater's debut.

Stuart Ritchie

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winger_(album)