Author: Jernej Vene
Artist: Winger
Label: Atlantic Records
Release: 1993
Running time: 47:07
The third album from American pop metal outfit Winger, Pull was made under the pressure of the solid commercial success of their debut and, even more so, of In The Heart Of The Young. Before the recording of Pull, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Paul Taylor left Winger, reportedly to join the newly revived Journey. On Pull the guys made more use of the acoustic guitar than before and worked it into the new songs in clever ways. Pull is a touch more mature than the first two, since the music sounds more polished, though it’s also true that the band brought in a different producer for the sessions. Mike Shipley has worked with stars like Def Leppard, Joni Mitchell, The Cars, Tom Petty and AC/DC. Shipley successfully stepped in for Winger’s previous collaborator Beau Hill. With his touch, the band widened their musical spectrum considerably, even though keyboardist Paul Taylor had left the group. His duties on Pull were taken over by band leader Kip Winger. All the songs were written by Winger and Reb Beach, who also said that with the previous two records they’d managed to create a truly distinctive band sound, one any listener can pick out in a heartbeat. Winger mentioned that with Pull they’re trying to combine the innocent inspiration of the seventies with the intensity of the nineties. Upon the album’s release, Reb Beach added that they brought an extra guitarist on board for the tour. That was multi-instrumentalist John Roth, the only one at the audition who could play their hit Seventeen well. Roth is also with them on their comeback in the new millennium.
Pull is a solid confirmation of Winger’s move into more demanding musical territory. It’s raw and melodic at the same time, and it will surely find a place in the record collections of old and new Winger fans alike. Personally, the tracks that win me over most are No Man’s Land, the first single Down Incognito, Junkyard Dog, and the ballads Spell I’m Under and The Lucky One.
Lineup
Kip Winger – vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards
Reb Beach – guitars, backing vocals
Rod Morgenstein – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Production
Mike Shipley
Track list
01. “Blind Revolution Mad” 5:25
02. “Down Incognito” 3:49
03. “Spell I’m Under” 3:56
04. “In My Veins” 3:15
05. “Junkyard Dog (Tears On Stone)” 6:54
06. “The Lucky One” 5:21
07. “In For The Kill” 4:13
08. “No Man’s Land” 3:18
10. “Like A Ritual” 5:03
11. “Who’s The One” 5:53
