One of the most talented musicians in the business is Kip Winger. Not only he’s a multi-instrumentalist, he’s also a superb songwriter. He formed Winger back in 1987 with Reb Beach, Paul Taylor and Rod Morgenstein. The band released their debute a year later and a second record in 1990, both are great and in the more AOR’ish style. 3 years later guitarist and keyboardist Paul Taylor left the band and their third record, Pull, were recorded with the 3 remaining members. That record also changed the style of the band, from the more “wimpy” (as Beavis & Butthead made it) AOR to a heavier melodic band. Pull were released in the “wrong time”, in the grungewave, and I think that made it more difficult to reach out to potential buyers. This is sad, cause this is one of the best melodic records ever recorded and my favourite in Winger’s catalogue.
The band disbanded for many years but got back together in 2001 and wrote a new song for a “best Of”, they also toured in USA. They released IV in 2006, the “darkest” and heaviest Winger-record to date and in my opinion the “worst”.

Now in 2009 they are back again with Karma, and this time with a really great record, maybe the best after Pull.
It starts of heavy, as almost the whole record, with Deal With The Devil and Stone Cold Killer, 2 killertracks. Pull Me Under and Supernova is 2 songs that also stands out. Particulary the latter, absolutely brilliant piece of work, one of the best songs of the year.

This is another contender for “record of the year” for me. Winger is back, and they’re back bigtime!

Info:
Label: Frontiers (FR CD 429)
Producer: Kip Winger
Release date: October 16th 2009
Line-up: Kip Winger (vocals, bass, keyboards), Reb Beach (guitars), John Roth (guitars), Rod Morgenstein (drums), Cenk Eroglu (keyboards)

Rating: 8,5/10