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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great compilation, December 29, 2001
Winger was much maligned for the few years they were big, and undeservedly so. The members of this band are educated in music and are among the best in their crafts. The quality shows through on this fantastic compilation showcasing their brief run.I find interesting the order in which the songs are put on this CD. The first track, "On The Inside" is a new recording that seems to pick up right where the barely-noticed but awesome "Pull" album left off. Hints of a modern sound persist but the melody is still there. Next comes five straight tracks from "Pull"--their third and last album. Songs like "Blind Revolution Mad" and "Junkyard Dog" sound better than ever and remind me how much I liked the direction they were taking at that time while rock music was being overrun by grunge. Then after an outtake track called "Hell To Pay", which was a solid track as well, the compilation picks up with five tracks from the second album "In The Heart Of The Young". Sure the big ballad hit "Miles Away" is included along with the rockers that were released, but I am especially happy that they included the wonderful song "Under One Condition" here, as to me this truly is a song that I would consider among "The Very Best of Winger". Ironically, the material from the first album is stuck at the end with the last four tracks--all of which had videos and charted in the top 100. Songs like "Seventeen" and "Hungry" still are a lot of fun to listen to, but for sure the band refined their sound since then. The CD booklet for this compilation includes a great write up about the band and a list of where the songs that were released as singles charted--a trend I have seen in several recent greatest hits albums that I like a lot. Who knew, for example, that the song "Hungry" peaked at number 85 and that the great track "Easy Come Easy Go" just missed the top 40 by peaking at number 41? Good and interesting info, for sure--at least I think so. I don't know what others make of the track listing order, but to me the message is quite clear. Winger, while appreciating their roots, clearly plan to continue from right where they left off with any future releases. I, for one, would love to hear a further development of the sound they had on "Pull". I hope the rumors of new material by the original lineup in 2002 are true, as I would love to hear more from these guys. For sure, they should not be considered your typical "cheese metal" band, as their talent and musicianship shows that they go far beyond that. Anyone who listens to this great collection and pays attention will probably agree.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This isn't wimp rock, this is true talent from the band, September 16, 2004
I have all three Winger albums - Winger, In The Heart Of The Young, and Pull and bought their greatest hits cd. They are all good. Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Paul Taylor, and Rod Morgenstein put a lot of time and effort and care into all the songs and it shows when you listen to all four albums. On the other hand they are very talented musicians. Also, I love the guitar sounds on each album because they really stand out. I'll drink a beer to this greatest hits compilation.Shawn
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great mix from the often scorned Winger, April 14, 2008
THE BAND: Kip Winger (lead vocals, bass), Reb Beach (guitars), Rod Morgenstein (drums & percussion), Paul Taylor (keyboards - 1st and 2nd albums only), John Roth (guitars on track 1 only).
THE DISC: (2001) 16 tracks clocking in at approximately 73 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing song titles/credits, several band photos, 9-pages of band history from writer Doug Ling (Classic Rock Magazine), studio album cover artwork, what songs came from which albums and year released. This compilation follows the band from 1988-1993 (with the new song - track 1 - being recorded in 2001). Elements from each of the band's studio album artwork appear on this 'Best Of' cover. Label - Atlantic Recording Corp & Rhino.
COMMENTS: I know I'm not alone here... but to this day, when Winger comes to mind, I still think of Beavis and Butthead making fun of the geeky kid Stewart next door (while Beavis and Butthead wore their Metallica and AC/DC t-shirts, Stewart was often found wearing a Winger t-shirt). It's too bad - because Kip Winger & Company had some great tunes. The musicians were extremely talented - all the guys can play. As much as this was Kip Winger's band, listen to Reb Beach tear it up on guitar - the guy could shred with the best of them. Ever since I heard his guitar work on "Seventeen" (beginning, middle solo and ending) I was a fan - including his albums with Dokken. Drummer Morgenstein is an accomplished lefty behind the kit - honing his chops in the 70's with the Dixie Dregs and several side projects, including teaming up with Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess in 1997. Kip Winger is no slouch on bass - he's put in his time too with the likes of Alice Cooper, Kix, Jordan Rudess, Bob Dylan, Twisted Sister, Fiona, and several solo projects. For all intensive purposes, Winger had 3 studio albums in their prime (though they'd get together on and off in the years to come, release some solo material, join other bands, put a live album out in 2007, and reunite with Winger's "IV" in 2006). The tracks are presented in reverse order - starting with the new unreleased tune, then to the underrated "Pull", followed by songs from "In The Heart Of The Young" and Winger's debut. THE GOOD: The Winger staples are all here in glorious remastered sound - "Madalaine", "Hungry", "Seventeen", "Headed For A Heartbreak", "Miles Away", "Easy Come Easy Go", "Can't Get Enuff", "Junkyard Dog (Tears On Stone)", "Down Incognito", "Blind Revolution Mad", etc. The unreleased song "On The Inside" is classic Winger - trademark vocals, a funky heavy beat with an ultra crunchy rhythm guitar. Another bonus is "Hell To Pay" - previously only available on the Japanese edition of "Pull"... fits right in with the other songs from the time. The remastered sound is deep and crisp. THE NOT SO GOOD: As far as compilations go, this "Very Best Of Winger" is outstanding. To me, only one thing sticks out - Five tracks each from "Pull" and "In The Heart Of The Young"... and only four tracks from Winger's debut. There was room at the end of the disc - why not throw the only glaring omission - "Hangin' On" - at the end to make it complete. "Miles Away" is the band's sappiest power ballad, but it's the band's highest charting single (#12)... so of course I understand it's inclusion here. OVERALL: If you were into the other hair bands of the 80's and early 90's (Poison, Motley Crue, Dokken, Bon Jovi, White Lion, Ratt, Slaughter, etc), you probably liked some Winger too... even if you still refuse to admit it. All being said, this is a great introduction to the band (5 stars).
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