Another milestone reached as this is the 700th review I have done from my collection, and the randomizer has served up a really good album for today.
For some reason Winger were singled out as a band that highlighted everything that was bad about rock music at that time. Partly due to a childish comment and throwing darts at a picture of Kip Winger by Metallica’s Large Oilrig in one of their documentary videos. I believe that was totally unfair and uncalled for as they were one of the better melodic rock bands around at the time.
This, their 3rd album, was the last they would record for a long time as they broke up after the tour for this record. I really love this record as the writing, arrangements, and production is just fantastic, and I think this is better than the first album – plus the band are killer musicians. Opening track, Blind Revolution Mad, has a superb opening with great acoustic intro before the groove begins. It has an awesome lead vocal, and as usual, the harmonies are epic. Down Cognito is up next and was also the title of a Kip Winger solo album. The harmonica gives a false impression as to what’s to follow, as the song has a really cool swing to the groove and a superb hook and melody. Spell I’m Under follows and has quite a slow beat, but the chorus and hook are huge, and boy are these guys killer at the harmonies! In My Veins is the hardest rockin’ track so far with a killer riff and a slow funky vibe – plus Reb Beach lays a ripping solo. He has to be one the most underrated guitarists around. Junkyard Dog brings the heavy with the big chugga riff and a superb middle eight – this is my favourite on the album.
Side 2 kicks off with The Lucky One using that acoustic intro to build the dynamics into the main power of the song – it’s a killer tune that sounds huge. In For The Kill follows and there is no let up in the quality. A slow rock groove with a killer solo, and it goes without saying that the vocals and harmonies are epic. A simple riff announces the arrival of No Man’s Land – another great tune. Like A Ritual has a dirty sleazy riff with a really cool swing to the tune and Reb’s solo is short and to the point. The album closes out with Who’s The One – a full on acoustic number which is just incredible.
Kip’s voice throughout the album is on another level and the harmonies are incredible. A great album, and a lot better than some of the band’s who were calling them out at the time.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
