From Kip's blog....these are great reviews!
Karma CD review - Sea of Tranquilty
Winger: Karma
Score: 4.5/5
Winger are still regarded by many as a throwaway, pretty boy "Hair Metal"
band that released a few albums and split when grunge allegedly
"revolutionised" rock music as we knew it. However for those of us that
actually took the time to listen to the musicianship involved in Winger's
playing can attest to, the ironic thing was that they were among the best,
if not the best caught up in the whole party rock MTV explosion. The
band's big hits like "Madalaine", "Seventeen", or "Headed for a
Heartbreak", contained a substance not found in their rivals songs, which
for some reason was a fact that went largely ignored. After the initial
accessible melodic rock of their self titled debut album and follow up In
The Heart of The Young, the band took a swift left turn with third album
Pull, which contained an altogether more sophisticated, mature hard rock
blueprint and added bags of melody. It was nothing short of a revelation
and remains an underground classic which sounds vibrant and fresh to this
day.
With their 2006 comeback album IV, Winger seemed to polarise opinion as to
their direction. Gone was the smooth, melodic rock of their first two
albums and even Pull appeared to be way more mainstream by comparison,
however for those of us who followed Kip's post band writing and projects
it was a natural amalgam of his then current output and where the band
left off before breaking up.
So where does that leave new album Karma? Well when bands listen to the
concerns that their fans have with their music, the results can often be
half hearted and insincere, however in this case nothing could be further
from the truth. Rather than try and return to the early slick smooth
sound, what Winger have done is take the "modern" edge of IV, the killer
riffs of Pull and merge them with the unmistakable choruses and melody of
the band's early work. It has to be said that what that marriage has
produced is quite stunning. What is also in evidence is the starker,
emotional approach taken on Kip's solo outings which add a maturity in the
vocal department and arrangements that has possibly been lacking from the
band's previous efforts.
The huge, pacey riff, soaring guitar and blazing vocal of track one "Deal
With The Devil" leaves you in no doubt that this is a band firing on all
cylinders. The sound is immediately in your face with everything being
crystal clear and allowed the space to breath, whilst sounding tight and
impactful. So many albums these days get off on the wrong foot by having
an opening track that just doesn't grab you, however Karma does the exact
opposite.
"Stone Cold Killer" keeps up the momentum with Winger's ranging bass line
and Morgenstein's drums clouting you between the eyes. This is controlled
aggressive stuff, however it manages to possess a killer melody line and
sing-a-long chorus in between the razor sharp guitars.
Six stringers Reb Beach and John Roth are in incredible form peeling off
stunning solos and remarkably heavy, yet melodic riffs. There really is no
let up as "Big World Away" romps past with its mesmerising vocals and rip
roaring guitars. "Come A Little Closer" perfectly mixes the Pull era of
the band with Kip's solo years. The stop start guitars insist on embedding
themselves in the mind, however it's the vocals that steal the show and
especially during the chorus, Kip is completely hypnotising.
The first track to really take its foot off the gas is "Supernova", a more
considered almost Indian flow lulls you gently into Winger's impassioned
vocal. Kip always sound best when he seems to be on the verge of losing
control and this is a perfect example of just that. "Always Within Me" is
a killer power ballad, it sounds relevant now, however it would have been
a massive hit back in the nineties.
Once more "Feeding Frenzy" perfectly blends the accessible melody that
Winger are able to so easily produce with the biting insistent beat and
power of Morgenstein. It's the last true rocking track on the album as
"After All This Time" and "Witness" slow things down. The first of the two
has a bluesy weeping feel as Kip sings about long term love. There's a
beautiful solo and the drumming is restrained and graceful.
Choosing to end such a guitar heavy album with two slower tracks may seem
a little odd, however here it works well, after the blues of "After All
This Time", "Witness" has a huge expansive sound that just encompasses you
and completely transports you into the song. As with the rest of the
album, the sound is spot on and as the song progresses through its seven
minutes the atmosphere just grows and grows until a spectacular almost
three minute guitar solo leaves you stunned.
As I said at the start of this review I know the name Winger conjures up
all kinds of stereotypical images, however I urge you to take the time to
listen to this album as its rewards are quite magical.
Added: September 27th 2009
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Sea of Tranquilty Karma Review
******************************************************************
Karma CD review - Ytsejam
Winger - Karma
Score: 4.5/5
2009 Frontiers Records
They have certainly moved way beyond the hair metal clichés - in fact that
happened with their 1993 Pull album, but as far as trendy scenesters into
mainstream music were concerned at that point, anything related to the
80's apparently wasn't viable in the 90's. We tended to overlook the
musicianship of this band that slipped in between the cracks of "Headed
for a Heartbreak" and "Seventeen" - axeman Reb Beach's riffs weren't as
easy to learn as we thought.
Years after their heyday, 2006's IV really brought the musicianship antae
up higher, you would have never thought it was a Winger album with it's
lush arrangements as well as the delving into progressive rock territories
- and on Karma, out the door goes the happy-go-lucky and over-the-top
optimistic vibe, for an offering of darkened melodic hard rock has been
executed on the latest effort. The tunes are relevant from the grinding
hard rock in the form of Jaded Heart, China Blue, & Hardline, where like
with these bands, there is an homage to the past, but a big embrace to the
new as well - the record opens up with the straight ahead rocker "Deal
with the Devil," a tune that offers a no strings attached approach to hard
rock, fulfilling the metallic edge on their own terms; other cuts such as
the dark, groove laden "Feeding Frenzy," the quirky "Stone Cold Killer," &
"Pull Me Under" execute the same aggressive attitude on the record while
more sophisticated "Big World Away," the moody "Supernova," the AOR minded
"Always Within Me" & "Witness," and the ballad "After All This Time" keep
the catchiness within diverse scope of things - all complete with solos,
anthem choruses, big harmonies and sinister riffs.
Between Kip Winger's musical touch, Rod Morgenstein powerful percussive
prowess, and the dueling six string attack from both Reb Beach & John
Roth, it's an album that combines great musicianship with a strong sense
of melodic being - all the right elements landed in place on this album;
everything holds up well on Karma, proving that they didn't go out and
make this record for the wrong reason - so remove all stigmas about this
band please.
Added: September 26th 2009
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
Ytsejam Karma Review
******************************************************************
Karma CD review - Rock Realms
Album Review: Karma (2009)
Overall Score 90%
For fans of: Hard Rock... and updating the sound whilst sticking to the roots
I like Winger. Their first 3 albums - the 1988 self-titled debut Winger, 1990's In The Heart Of The Young and 1993's Pull - are all excellent. Their 4th release from 2006, cleverly entitled IV, has so far eluded me. To all intents and purposes it's a corker too.
You only need to hear their Greatest Hits album to feel the quality of the band. With tracks compiled from their first 3 albums and associated recording sessions, there isn't a duffer amongst them. This is a band that oozes quality from every pore.
So, has that quality manifested itself on their 5th release, the deeply-titled Karma? Oh yes. In spades.
Kip Winger bass and vocals, Reb Beach guitars, John Roth guitars, and Rod Morgenstein - drums have crafted a record which instantly grabs your attention with it's melodic powerhouse sound. Most records fall into one of two camps - they either take an age to get good, or they sound brilliant to start with but quickly fade. Karma pulls the proverbial rabbit from the hat by being instant and a grower all at once.
The sound is controlled but heavy - very heavy in places - and recalls the slightly darker, more moody sound from the Pull release. Kip's solo work rear's its melodious head on occasions, but the overwhelming atmosphere is forceful, tuneful and immensely characterful. The guitar work is fabulous, as is the rhythm section. Kip's voice is mostly as great as ever, although a touch peaky in places and different to his early days. I swear he's slowly merging style-wise with James Christian from House Of Lords, although that couldn't really be described as a bad thing.
Opening track 'Deal With The Devil' is a spunky fast number with shouted vocals and an urgent beat. It borders on the clichéd and obvious, but it's a touch too good for that to matter. 'Stone Cold Killer' keeps the same beat and velocity, but tones the levels down a few notches. It reminds me of 'Junkyard Dog' in a big way and is, although unoriginal, nearly as good.
'Big World Away' is a more measured track with a totally different. almost modern feel. Kip nearly raps his lyrics but, fortunately, keeps himself under control. 'Come A Little Closer' is a subtly groovy track that doesn't shout brilliant but draws you into its intricacies anyway. 'Pull Me Under' is a track with a dreamy aura and beautifully understated chorus. Best track of the album until...
'Supernova' isn't just good as far as Karma goes. It's brilliant full stop. The build-up through the verses is good, the bridge is better, the chorus is utterly mind blowing. It's halfway between a ballad and a soft rocker and is right up there in shivers-down-the-spine territory. 'Always Within Me' brings matters down to earth, but only slightly. It's a superbly composed, mature song that could again grace that Greatest Hits album with no argument.
'Feeding Frenzy' is a raucous track epitomising the silk and steel approach. Kip's dulcet tones overlay a crunching riff-fest that wouldn't sound out of place on a power metal track. 'After all This Time' then flips the record on its head with a soulful bluesy style that'll melt your heart and, quite possibly, blow your mind. It's so good it sounds like a cover. Band's don't make music this good nowadays do they? Final track 'Witness' should be a big comedown after that but it isn't. It's just as exquisite (possibly more so) and closes the album on an opium-high.
Overall, Karma is a brilliant album. At least 3 or 4 songs are stunning and none of the others are any less than excellent. The second half is noticeably better than the first but, as the 3 or 4 best songs reside there, it should be. Is this Winger's finest release? It's not quite there as a whole, but it's certainly jockeying for position near the top of the plinth. In 'Supernova', 'After All This Time' and 'Witness', it has tracks that may well take overall honours.
Check out... Hmmm, where to start... Pretty much all of it
RockRealms Karma Review
