Description

Original 1988 Atlantic cd pressing

Formed in New York in 1987, Winger jumped to popularity with their self-titled studio album released in 1988. The album includes the hits Headed For A Heartbreak and Madalaine. On February 1989 the album peaked at #21 on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 63 weeks. It achieved Platinum status in the US and Gold status in Canada and Japan. The record label wanted to promote the band more or less around the looks of lead singer Kip Winger so the band’s high-quality musicianship was 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. Winger is a surprisingly accomplished debut.

Track list:
1. Madalaine
2. Hungry
3. Seventeen
4. Without The Night
5. Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix cover
6. State Of Emergency
7. Time To Surrender
8. Poison Angel
9. Hangin On
10. Headed For A Heartbreak
11. Higher And Higher