Winger - IV (Frontiers)

Winger is back!!!!  The band that won a million strong fan base in the late 1980’s who then received derive from the Beavis & Butthead generation and the influx of grunge have regrouped for their fourth album more than a decade on from their third release ‘Pull’.  Entitled simply ‘IV’ the album is home to a darker meaner sound that those that remember the band from their self titled debut and follow up will be shocked, yet those that bought the aforementioned ‘Pull’ and enjoyed it will be right at home here as ‘IV’ comes across as the logical next step from it. 

IV is a modern sounding album, with a lot of superb riffs, some progressive moments, fine guitar work from Reb Beach and stunning vocals from Kip Winger not to mention one of the best tracks I have heard in ages in 'Four Leaf Clover'.  The production is top notch, and whilst I sometimes wonder why Frontiers seems intent on resurrecting so many bands, the fact that they chose Winger is nothing but a success.  Hopefully, music listeners old and new can overlook the big hair and commerciality of yore and just enjoy this album for what it is – superb hard rock crafted by a bunch of some of the finest rock musicians on the planet.

Rating – 90%

Martone - When The Aliens Come (Lion Music)

If you thought that Canadian rock started and ended with Rush, Saga or Triumph, think again. Canadian guitar virtuoso, Dave Martone is a force to be reckoned with. Dave has recorded several excellent albums with influences which range from straight ahead rock and progressive metal to more experimental tones, something that has brought him a considerable amount of attention from fans worldwide.  Dave has performed in countless cities in the world, given clinics and taught at Berklee College Of Music and the National Guitar Workshop. He has written instructional columns for the likes of Guitarpalooza Records, the Guitar 9 website, Italy's Guitar2001 as well as being featured in one of the worlds largest guitar magazines ‘Guitar One’ being profiled as one of four underground 'shred gods' in the January 2006 issue.

‘When The Aliens Come’ is Dave’s new guitar instrumental album released under the Martone banner.  Seemingly the title ‘when the aliens come’ is a very description of the music on offer as the album has a definite sci-fi feel to it, being very intelligently written and performed, and in places almost film score esque i.e. images in the mind are conjured by the music on offer.  Guitar wise Martone is as good as any of the big 2 instrumental name – Vai and Satriani – and the album is much more enjoyable to these ears these those 2 names more recent releases.  The production is stunning, crystal clear with superb power and projection and to think this album was created by a trio (Martone with Daniel Adair - Drums, Percussion and Bass and David Spidel – Bass) shows the musical skills these guys possess.  Simply said if you like guitar instrumentals this one of the most original I have heard in sometime and has its very own definite place in the genre.  If the greys do come and wipe us all out, it will be something to look forward to if this is their soundtrack.

Rating – 80%