Winger Albums Ranked
Winger is an American rock band that has combined elements of glam metal and progressive metal. Formed in New York City, Winger gained popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band’s two platinum albums, Winger and In the Heart of the Young, along with charting singles “Seventeen”, “Headed for a Heartbreak” and “Miles Away”, put them on the top of the charts by the early 1990s. In 1990, the band was nominated for an American Music Award for “Best New Heavy Metal Band”. As the music scene changed in the early to mid-1990s due to the popularity of grunge, their success faded after their third release Pull.
Winger disbanded in 1994. In 2001 they reunited and have since conducted several successful tours. In 2006, the band’s 1993 touring line-up (minus Paul Taylor but including John Roth) reunited to record the band’s first studio album in over 13 years, IV and toured in support of the album into 2008.
In 2009, the band released their fifth album, Karma. As of 2013, Winger still performs on mini-tours, festivals, and private events. Their most recent album, Better Days Comin’, came out in 2014. Here are all of the Winger’s albums ranked.
Don’t miss out on the music of Winger below! Click to enjoy and experience the heavy metal sound of the late 80’s.
7. Better Days Comin’ (2014)
” The best way I can describe this album is a mix between IV and a little heavier version of Karma. Does that make sense? It has many moments of the progressive rock sound of IV, but at the same time, it has some very heavy rockers that are even deeper than the heaviest in Karma, but similar. In Karma, Reb Beach went off like he was never going to play guitar again. On this one, he and John Roth combine for a slightly different approach: more rhythmic, but not holding back at all. Kip’s voice somehow sounds even better on this than on Karma. Drums are always amazing on Winger albums, but one thing I noticed on this one was a few times I thought Rod Morgenstein was trying to kill me with his playing. Extremely hard and driving at certain times. I love it.”
6. The Very Best Of (2001)
“Still not really Winger fan, but after listening to it for several hours Seventeen feels like a slow rock song compared to the rest. I think that says a lot considering that Seventeen had some of the most identifiable rocking sound ever recorded. Not bad at all. Guitar work is magic throughout this album.”
5. IV (2006)
“Kip Winger is a musical genius and this album illustrates the point at which he begins really stretching and exploring his talents as a composer. He gives glimpses of some of the directions he’ll take musically on later albums. In my estimation, this album is brilliant. I continue to hear new elements in it each time I listen to it. Being a professional musician, I really appreciate the craft he employed on this album. Not your typical rock album, but it rocks nonetheless. Buy it!”
See more: Def Leppard Albums Ranked
4. Karma (2009)
“This is a fantastic album! Evidently, it was also critically acclaimed when it came out. I now have Heart of the Young, Pull, IV and Karma. All of them are great in their own right, and it’s really interesting and enlightening to listen to them in sequence. You really hear the progression in Winger’ s song writing ability throughout the albums. The diversity of styles, while still retaining the hard rock edge, is fantastic. IV is a departure from that to an extent because it leans more toward the prog rock genre. But It’s excellent in its own right too! Karma came out after IV and it jumps right in with the first track rocking your socks off and continues through the rest of the album. “
3. In The Heart Of The Young (1990)
“To the people that were following them when this came out, they must of been BLOWN AWAY, by the sheer kick-ass-ness of the the songs, the big production that just swallows you up and makes headphones seem like an incredible purchase, AND they must of been shocked that it didn’t get as much attention as it should of. Though they are part of the pop-metal scene, some bands managed to transcend that with strong songwriting (enuff z nuff comes to mind). This album is really a powerhouse of great songs, with the song little dirty blonde being a possible throwaway, though it is a fun song, and the production is still great, so it’s easy to just dig the grooves and go to the next song.”
See more: Van Halen Albums Ranked
2. Winger (1988)
“Let’s no beat around the bush-I like this album. Classy anthem-like melodic hard rock with not thunderous but strong Winger’s vocals and strong enough musicianship. The first two tracks are so-so level like Twisted Sisters or something, then Winger team try to upgrade a product. The disgusting drum beat made things worse slightly, it’s a tribute paid to 80s music fashion. Despite of 80s total hair-metal expansion, the band offering a good portion of traditional hard rock here. Besides, the material sounds in a certain interesting manner, far from Motley Crue & Co. primitivism. Fine start, way to go, Kip!”
1. Pull (1993)
“Easily Winger’s best album. Pull was recorded in 1993 as a power trio. Kip Winger (bass, vocals), Reb Beach (guitars), Rod Morgenstein (drums). Pull is Wingers’ masterpiece. Beach and Morgenstein can play circles around just about any guitarist or Drummer (especially Morgenstein – you won’t find a better drummer anywhere, ever!) The album blasts off with Blind Revolution Mad – an acoustic intro that segues into full blown hard rock with a guitar riff that is ridiculously catchy. The 10 songs flow. There are balls-out rockers like Junkyard Dog, In My Veins & No Man’s Land as well as two beautiful ballads, The Lucky One & Spell I’m Under. The writing is great, the playing is phenomenal and the production is savvy. “