Frontiers Music s.r.l.
5 May 2023
Words by Kris Peters
US rock legends Winger – led, of course, by Kip Winger – owned the 1980s with songs like Seventeen, Madalaine and Headed For A Heartbreak not only swooning the hearts of ladies across the globe, but also proving to be damn good rock numbers that have more than stood the test of time.
When Winger released the album Better Day’s Comin in 2014 long-time fans hoped for just that, but it wasn’t to be.
Despite a sprinkling of new shows here and there, Winger haven’t put out any new albums since then with fans having to be content with the constant whispers of a world tour and new music that some thought might never come.
But come it has in the form of Winger’s seventh album, the appropriately titled Seven. Is it worth the wait?
Let’s take a listen…
Opener Proud Desperado explodes with a wall of guitar before a chant of “heave, ho” repeats, luring vocalist Kip Winger back to the fray, and he doesn’t sound like he has aged a bit.
It’s important to note here that Seven features all four original members plus “new guy” John Roth on guitar. And the guys sound like they are enjoying themselves thoroughly already.
Paul Taylor, Reb Beach and Roth keep a steady pace going on guitar before a wicked guitar solo pierces the calm around the 2-minute mark which could be Winger’s way of saying that while the 80s rock may run in their veins, they too have grown and matured over the years.
This is classic stadium rock with big hooks and accessible music, but damn isn’t it good to hear again?
Heaven’s Falling is next, and I cringe a little in expectation of an early ballad, but the rocking guitars quickly set me at ease – momentarily.
Kip Winger croons gently into the microphone in such a soothing manner that is impossible to dislike. While this may be a ballad at heart it’s also an up-tempo rocker that is elevated beyond the regularity by the majestic vocals of Kip Winger. The band settles in around him laying a comfortable sonic platform and exquisite backing vocals that allow Kip to lend even more dynamics to the song.
Another guitar solo – albeit a dreamily beautiful accompaniment – adds starch to Heaven’s Falling, but the stench of manly chest hair lingers in the air as if you were in the middle of an 80s rock concert.
Which is exactly what Winger are trying to capture.
Tears Of Blood sounds interesting and is kept that way by a sweeping guitar-led intro that lays a heavy platform for yet more guitar.
Kip eases – which is difficult for someone with such a dominant voice – into action and takes hold over said Tears and directs them to an altogether happier plane where vocals soar and guitars wail in harmony.
At about the mid-way mark the song pulls back as a prayer of sorts and whispers softly through the air, more resembling a cry for help than an actual prayer, before the guitars once more signify another tempo change and bring Tears Of Blood scratching back to life.
The dynamics in this song are awesome, changing the timing and structure on several occasions while still maintaining the essence on which it is built.
Resurrect Me starts with a nice guitar lick and has instant rock classic written all over it.
It soon turns into a meaty as fuck rock anthem that you could easily picture bouncing across the corners of a massive stadium.
More guitar solos abound throughout, adding a sense of toughness and backbone to what could be just another crowd-pleaser without them. In a good way of course.
Voodoo Fire kicks off with a nice bass run that sees the guitar soon join in for effect and Kip returns with a different sonic palate from which to work from, delivered with a much gravelly-sounding tone that is given added substance when he hits the inevitable high notes.
This is a measured but engaging track that is also the most consistently hard rock number so far in yet another sign that Winger are refusing to rest on their laurels and play things completely safe.
And yes, you guessed it, another wicked guitar solo sneaks its way in there.
If it sounds like I am complaining about so many solos, believe me, I’m not, but when they sound so good it would be almost criminal to not mention them.
Broken Glass sweeps into being courtesy of a soft piano interlude and paints a sonic landscape of longing and despair before one word is sung or spoken.
Gentle acoustic guitars – I’m pretty sure played by Kip himself – lead you down a winding path of sorrow and into a void of helplessness that, quite honestly, is far from where I want to be. Next.
It’s Okay rears its head to put me back on track with a whirling guitar lick that gives way to a much rockier number that takes us back to groove town. This song is almost psychedelic in parts (maybe because of the guitar) but is also a rollicking and fun slab of rock and roll that is where I think Winger are at their strongest playing.
Not that they have deficiencies elsewhere, but these guys have rock in their DNA and to deprive themselves – and us – of that just wouldn’t be right!
Stick The Knife In And Twist sounds like my last marriage and starts with as much aggression. That’s what I’m talking about.
This track STARTS with a guitar solo and only gets better, moving swiftly and concisely towards rock city. It’s fast and frenetic while still maintaining the harmonious gang vocals and catchy lyrics, but this feels like something new and infinitely more exciting.
A whole album of these sorts of songs would be sensational, just saying…
One Light To Burn bounces from one ear to the other with a blues-like swagger and stuttering guitars that run off in a direction all of their own.
There is a lot musically going on so far on this album and – which I am probably completely wrong about – feels like a band trying to keep one foot in the past while fighting the overwhelming urge of the future.
And I don’t mean that in a bad way, it’s just it feels at times like Winger are trying to appease older fans while also following a rougher exterior that is more rooted in the harder side of rock.
But I could be wrong. What do I know?
Another awesome guitar solo keeps the flame burning even longer with Kip fighting a solo battle to douse the fire from his end.
Do Or Die sounds very specific, but is more of a measured assault on the senses, easing into life before gathering momentum as it builds.
Yet another song destined for the wide open stadium spaces but also one which sprinkles more of a rock sensibility at regular intervals to satiate those looking for something a little less wholesome.
Time Bomb explodes from the blocks with a catchy guitar intro that paves the way for a measured number that sees Kip Winger offering up another side of his vocal abilities. His range and poise are impressive, showering each individual song with a differing set of artistic morals that ensures the sonic palate is kept constantly nurtured.
And yes, there is a cool as fuck guitar solo here as well – probably one of the best on the album actually – and despite the regularity of these musical pieces of gold they not once feel forced.
Another trick brought forth from the 80s?
It All Comes Back Around starts with a whispered and gentle tone awash with piano keys that almost has me pulling stumps early.
But I’m glad I didn’t as the song gathers traction on the back of a Kip vocal special and the world doesn’t seem so bleak and despondent for a moment.
And then it pulls back again and despite my well-known dislike of ballads I find myself nodding in approval at the majesty on show here.
This song is more a vehicle for Kip’s impressive vocal range than anything else on the album and has to be paid due respect for that fact alone.
Seven is a tough one to review because musically the whole album is brilliant, with enough variations within the rock genre to keep it fresh and exuberant. But personally – and I KNOW I am probably the minority here – I would love to hear a full album of rock bangers.
It’s quite clear Winger has it in them.
*All reviews in HEAVY are just one person’s opinion of the album. We encourage honesty in reviews but just because our reviewer may or may not like/appreciate an album, that doesn’t mean their opinion is right! We encourage you to have a listen for yourself and make up your own minds!
