Review WINGER ‘Seven’

Winger started quite successfully into their career. The band gained popularity the moment they released the self-titled debut album in 1988. Released under the wings of Atlantic Records, the longplayer achieved platinum stats in the US and was also successful in Canada as well as in Japan.

The sophomore release ‘In the Heart of the Young’ had some quality and again achieved solid chart positions. Even with these two cool records Winger couldn’t surf the wave of success much longer as the band disbanded in 1994 after having unleashed the more average ‘Push” album.

There was spark of reuniting in the early 2000^th before Winger returned with full force in 2006. The band, consisting of Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rod Morgenstein, Paul Taylor and John Roth unleashed ‘IV”, and while being in a productive mode, the band added two more longplayers to their discography.

These days, Winger has a new longplayer in the starting blocks and it is a strong one. Simply entitled ‘Seven’ the record ends a nine years waiting time for new music from the New York-based hard rock outfit.

‘Proud Desperado’ kicks things off and what gets out of the speakers is excellently crafted hard rock that finds the sweet-spot of roughness and melodies. Catchy at the one hand and equipped with Beach’s and Roth’s riff power allow Winger to entertain the listener. At the same time, the darker vibe of the song gives the song a different expression compared to the California sunshine rock.

The darker spirit of the album also breaks through in ‘Tears of Blood’, showing that the album has a different level of depth. Also recommendable is the heavy pounding ‘Voodoo Fire’. Due to the embedded twists, it needs a bit longer for the song to bloom. The tune also allows Kip Winger to show his entire vocal range, including some passionate screams.

The soulful moments don’t fall short on ‘Seven’. ‘Broken Glass’ is the emotionally touching moment on this longplayer that avoids a walk on well/worn paths.

The riff, that starts off ‘Stick the Knife In and Twist’ shows the metallic part of Winger. The grooving song is a very dynamic and powerful moment on the album. For me, this track is one of the highlight on ‘Seven’ which includes the polyphonic chorus. Anyhow, it’s the guitars that fascinates.

‘Seven’ shows a good versatility, represented by the sleazy ‘One Night to Burn’, a song that follows the vibrant ‘Stick a Knife In and Twist’. The elegantly swinging ‘It All Comes Back Around’ is the final chapter on this well-done new album by Winger.

‘Seven’ sounds professional, contains excellent rock songs and isn’t shy of real heavy moments. Melodic and at the same time surprising and varied, that is ‘Seven’. It seems like it was worth waiting nine long years since the result is a great hard rock album, done with passion and commitment.