If you hated 'Winger's' last two releases, don't give up, as this is an underrated classic. By 93' they knew they couldn't get away with the sugar coated 'Pop Metal' they churned out on their first two albums. Here they "up-the-anti", with a mesmerising blend of crunching guitars and grooving rhythms all tied together with 'Kip Wingers' superb melodic vocals. 'Reb Beach's' guitar work was stifled on 'In the Heart of the Young', but here, he's "let off the reins" and tasty guitar licks are present on almost every track, and illustrate what a accomplished guitarist he is. Overall the winning formula for the album is the top drawer song writing combining fresh and interesting arrangements, along with balladsy material that is both emotional and powerful.

A brooding acoustic intro, fronts the brilliant 'Blind Revolution Mad', subtle guitaring and spoken lyrics, slowly build into a thumping rocker of the highest calibre. The grooving rhythm is just magnificent, the harmonised choruses are powerful and effective to make an round dazzling track. The lyrically heavy 'Down Incognito', has a slighter more commercial feel, but is still a top tracks, with 'Kip Winger's' superb voice really on form on some very challenging ranges. I'm never really a fan of ballads, but even I'm taken back by the cracking 'Spell I'm Under', one of the most emotionally performed tracks I've heard in a long time, just check out the passion portrayed in the choruses. The tempo is again upped with the grooving speciality 'In my Veins', a blistering, neck wrenching rocker, that also showcases some classic 'Reb Beach' guitar licks. Next up is 'Junkyard Dog', and is just simply, one of my all time favourites, after a short eerie intro, we witness some of the tasty riffs ever to be put down on disc, following is just pure swaggering genius. After 4 minutes of this grooving classic, the tempo is dropped down for a near acoustic close, with beautiful melodic harmonies and sweet fret work- class. 'Lucky One' is a straight forward 'Power Ballad', not as memorable as other tracks but again 'Reb' and 'Kip', "pull out all the stops", for a quality slower number. The consistent song writing maybe slips a little with 'In for the Kill', but a few tasty hooks and committed vocals, just keeps this tracks head above water. Back on target is the imposing groove fest 'No Man's Land', a headbanging treat, with that man 'Reb' again reigning supreme. 'Like a Ritual' continues in similar fashion, with a splendid plodding rhythm and orgasmic guitar solos, supported by some choice drum work courtesy of 'Rob Morgenstein'. Closing the album is another belting ballad, 'Who's the One', which oozes emotion, while still maintaining energy and strength- full credit to 'Kip'.

Forget 'Beavis and Butthead' and get a copy of this underrated classic, play it full blast and then tell me you don't like 'Winger'!