Since
Winger was marketed largely on the looks of lead singer
Kip Winger, and since their sleazy rockers and lovelorn
ballads cover the same old
pop-metal territory, the band's high-quality musicianship tended to get overlooked. Guitarist
Reb Beach earned wide praise from other musicians, and he, ex-
Dixie Dregs drummer
Rod Morgenstein, and keyboardist
Paul Taylor bring a distinct
progressive metal influence to many of the tunes on
Winger. Even if the lyrics are standard issue, the album is impeccably composed, crafted, and played, with melodies, riffs, and guitar solos taking off in unexpected directions and keeping the listener slightly off balance -- no easy task in the cookie-cutter
hair metal genre. The only misstep is an overdone, tight-assed, totally misguided recasting of
"Purple Haze." Otherwise,
Winger is a surprisingly accomplished debut. ~ Steve Huey
