Album Review: Winger – Karma
Winger - Karma
Winger – Karma
Genre: Arena/Modern Melodic Hard Rock
Review by: Jere
A majority of groups that have established themselves will most likely find the proper method of making the best of their longevity so when it comes to a group the likes of Winger I think everyone will tend to agree that they have had a certain edge to their sound ever since the release of Winger’s critically acclaimed 1988 self-titled debut. Contemporary evolution can be a tremendous advantage for musicians who have already made their name so when the time comes to update the formula it will either work in spades or ultimately being a band’s Achilles’ heel. For Winger when they made their way back onto the music industry with their long awaited fourth album, simply titled IV, it almost felt like they were trying to quickly play catch up on a lot of modern production values that had been invented since their 1993 opus Pull (an album which was considered ahead of it’s time). In regards to IV it felt like the final result was a jumble of very few signature Winger elements and way too many modern components. This approach did very little to bring Kip, Reb, and the rest of the guys into a captivating reinvention that would get die hard fans thoroughly excited about the band’s next phase. In the years leading up to their follow up its almost fitting that Winger have gone naming their latest album Karma. Songwriting collaborations between front men and their respected band mates have always been a key to commercial success whether it’s been Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, or Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. As for the approach in which Winger has developed Kip and his right hand man Reb Beach have written their fair share of hits whether its been Seventeen, Headed For A Heartbreak, Madalaine, or Miles Away so with a contemporary style fueling the hard rockin’ machine it would seem that Kip and Reb put their thinking caps on and studied a little bit harder as to how they could tweak their sound every so slightly (without upsetting longtime fans) all the while keeping a lot of the intricate/lavish harmonies and dynamic guitar solos firmly intact. The reaction towards Karma is one that is not immediately likeable however one factor that this newest effort has which IV didn’t is a high replay value. There are albums that are natural growers but Karma is one of those enigmas which, for the most part, gets the best of the listener through various elements hidden throughout a relentless torrent of in-depth musicianship. With several other groups from Winger’s era fully embracing a modern technique to everything from songwriting to down tuning to the production aspect it is a pleasant surprise to hear a group the likes of Winger hitting their stride once again. It may have taken them a few years but thanks to a vast amount of brooding/dark melodic hard rock anthems like Deal With The Devil, Stone Cold Killer, Big World Away, and Supernova Winger are taking some huge strides in bridging the gap between past and present. It’s been said that when it comes to a concept such as karma if one approaches something in a positive fashion then the result will result in a positive outcome and for Winger all of the guys are living in the moment of an exhilarating hard rock philosophy which now will forever be a part of their lives.
The Good
An exciting, energetic, fly by the seat of your pants type of melodic hard rock album with a perfect mixture of necessary classic Winger elements matched evenly with contemporary lyrics, harmonies, and natural guitar playing. Winger is definitely back with probably their most exciting release since Pull and even though the approach takes a good two or three listens to fully appreciate in the long run it’s just nice to hear Kip, Reb, and the rest of the guys deliver an album that adds so much to an already impressive resume. This is one of those albums that nearly every Winger fan should appreciate and will also end up naturally stunning common music listeners who didn’t know Winger was still making music and for those who would be expecting the band to leech off their nostalgia by going the cop out route, all I can say is Karma will end up surprising a lot of people.
The Bad
A couple mellower tracks placed towards the end of the album that don’t really pack the brunt force of the material which is featured at the beginning of Karma but this is where a lot of Winger’s diversity shines. It’s with songs like After All This Time and Witness where Winger gets to relax and show off a completely different side of themselves. Reb Beach is given the chance to show off some of his more bluesy influences and lays down some incredible solos (one of which is around the 2 minute mark) so if anyone gets disappointed by such an approach you should have your ears checked or something as even though the harder edged rockers prove Winger still has it it’s with the mellow numbers where the band significantly expand upon their craft.
Best Tracks
Rockers – Big World Away, Deal With The Devil, Supernova, Pull Me Under, Stone Cold Killer
Ballads – Always Within Me, Witness
Final Rating: 4.75/5
Additional Details
> Similar – Whitesnake, Europe, Harem Scarem
> Label – Frontiers Records
> Artist Link: www.wingertheband.com
> Purchase Link: www.amazon.com
