Winger IN THE HEART OF THE YOUNG

Winger: Kip Winger (vocals, keyboards, bass); Paul Taylor (guitar, keyboards); Reb Beach (guitar, background vocals); Rod Morgenstein (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Chris Botti, Michael Davis, John Beach (horns);
Paul Winger, Nate Winger (background vocals).
Personnel: Paul Taylor (vocals, guitar, keyboards, background vocals); Reb Beach (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Kip Winger (vocals, keyboards); Chris Botti, Michael Davis (horns); Rod Morgenstein (drums, percussion); Nate Winger, Paul Winger (background vocals).
Recording information: Enterprise.
Unknown Contributor Role: The New West Horns.
Winger's second album, In the Heart of the Young, continues in the same vein of slick, progressive-tinged, radio-ready pop-metal featured on their debut -- almost what Asia or 90125-era Yes might sound like as hair bands. The melodies and guitars still twist and turn in unpredictable directions, but the material on In the Heart of the Young isn't always as musically interesting as the songs on Winger. Plus, the inclusion of more ballads detracts from the overall energy. Still, there's enough here to make the album worthwhile for anyone who enjoyed its predecessor, especially in the absence of a best-of collection. "Miles Away" became a Gulf War love anthem, while "Can't Get Enuff" and "Easy Come Easy Go" are fine rockers that nevertheless failed to make much of a dent in the charts. ~ Steve Huey

• Format: CD
• Genre: Heavy Metal