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WINGER Seven By Wendy Jasper, Black Metal Aficionado Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 5:44 AM
It’s raw and brutal and sows the seeds of dissention that are apropos in this day and time. It also shows fans a side of WINGER they may not be used to. However, listen to their later work and you will find that he tackles topics not usually heard in their early days. This is one of those songs.
Whatever you may think of Kip Winger, know this; he and his bandmates: Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein and Paul Taylor are much more than just the hair of the ‘80s. WINGER is one of the only bands to still be able to stage their original lineup, plus the addition of guitarist John Roth in the early 1990’s. The triple guitar attack of Beach, Taylor and Roth adds depth to not only the albums, but the live shows; and I will say that Morgenstein is one of the best drummers in the business. He is solid from beginning to end.
This band has longevity and a level of dedication not often seen. They are, without a doubt, one of the best bands of my generation. I break out of my Black Metal mold for this band and I don’t care what anyone says; I love Kip Winger. He’s a nice person too. I’ve had the pleasure of several interviews over the past 33 years and if the band comes anywhere close to Houston, I try to go see them perform. I also highly recommend perusing Kip’s catalog of classical music recordings and his adaptations for ballet, as well as catching one of his solo acoustic shows. He’s quite brilliant.
While many of their contemporaries disappeared, Kip and Co. continued to write and record. While “Seventeen” made them famous, their talent carried them through the grunge years and into the new millennium. There is no doubt they were hit makers, and Kip could pas de bourrée across the stage like no other (I’m pretty sure he can still do it too), turning him into the sex symbol of a generation. But the man can sing, write, play multiple instruments and the band hasn’t slowed down.
Their touring schedule is full this year and this new album, Seven, is chock full of 12 blazing tracks that showcase the band’s incredible tenacity and flair. The album will be released worldwide by Frontier’s Records.
“Voodoo Fire” is reminiscent of “Can’t Get Enough” and proves that their new music has the feel of their early hits. “Tears of Blood” is heavy. This is something I have noticed about WINGER over the course of their later albums; they are heavy. Lose the hairspray and spandex and they show you who they really are. The are producing consistently substantial and hard music.
The tone of the album lightens up a bit with “Broken Glass” and Kip gives us his signature ballad. It’s excellent and proves that Kip can give you the feels you had the first time year heard “Miles Away”.
Another favorite from this record is “Time Bomb”. It’s just groovy and while we have waxed poetic about the 80’s, groove is something this band will always have. “Heaven’s Falling” and “Stick The Knife In and Twist” both rock hard and give the album the great pacing you expect from WINGER. “It All Comes Back Around” (video on KNAC.COM HERE) closes out the album and it is part ballad, part heavy metal…and it has the emotional depth you would expect from WINGER.
The album was produced in Nashville by Kip himself. Their last full-length release was in 2014 and I must say that Better Days Comin’ was a fantastic record. The band’s entire discography is impressive.
There are numerous tour dates scheduled through the summer and fall; I don’t see a rescheduling of their Houston date yet but I’m sure they will be here at some point. They join STEEL PANTHER in May for a tour of the United Kingdom and then return stateside to head out with Tom Kiefer for a summer tour.
Pick up Seven on May 5th and listen to your heart’s content. I will.
5.0 Out Of 5.0
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