Red's Kip Winger Review - Part 5 (final)

Note: Well this is it. Last part of review. Overall, these two CDs are solid. I'd say most of these songs, I'd rank somewhere to the high-middle range in terms of where they sit my grand music collection. I don't know if any will ever rise into the upper-echelon in my favorites category, but none of them will slip into the bottom wing, always skip portion of it either. I don't know if any of what I just wrote made sense. Anyways, here you go.

Aranda – Gravity, Testify

"Gravity" sounds like a song that would have fit perfectly into the sound of the late 1990s early 2000s rock scene. Considering that's when I was listening to new music the most, it sort of sings to my youth. "Testify" has a different sound, different rhythm than "Gravity," which shows the range and experimentation of the band. I think I'd listen to "Gravity" more often, but "Testify" is one of those tunes that gets the foot tapping. 

Sara Schiralli – Incomplete

I like how theirs a progression of sound and instruments in this song. It starts with guitar and voice, ten add drums about 30 seconds in, and then an influx of sounds keep dropping into the tune. Good tune. 

The Shins – It's Okay, Try Again

I'm hot and cold with The Shins, I either really like their songs or I don't. I like this one, maybe not as much as some of the songs I put on the last CD I made Snake, but it's pretty solid. The one thing I'll say is that they rarely make two songs that sound alike. I also like that they are willing to be a little silly in their music. Too many bands take themselves too seriously. 

The Roots – Lovely, Love My Family

The Roots have a fresh, clean sound and it's pretty evident here. Not an overly complex song, but catchy with a heart-warming message. Good enough for me. 

Black Stone Cherry – Reverend Wrinkle, Things My Father Said

I love the name Reverend Wrinkle. I wished I would have thought of it. Think it could be turned into an interesting little story. Maybe someday I'll get to it. Song is solid. The sound is heavier than other selections in this group. "Things My Father Said," is a classic song with a straight-foward formula that has worked a thousand times. If you like rock music, then you'll probably like that one. 

Metric – Gimmie Sympathy

It is unintentional that it worked out this way, but the last song left to talk about might be emerging as my favorite from this collection I can't pinpoint why – maybes its the question of who'd I'd rather be "The Beatles or The Rolling Stones." It's a good question. I don't know, it's one of those songs that move by so quickly that you want to hit the repeat button after its done because you feel like it went by too fast.  

Red's Kip Winger Review - Part 4

Cornelius – Count Five or Six

I won't say this is my favorite song on the albums. There is some funky music in the background, but you definitely have to want to listen for it because the repetition in the counting does start to get it a little old by halfway through. That's sort of the risk of making a track like this. It can turn some listeners off with the repetition causing them to miss the rest. 

Scars on Broadway – 3005; Universe

On the other side of coin, 3005 provides a hook and groove that's make it hard not to sing with. Universe is similar, but it does have a little bit of a System of a Down sound to it. Overall, I like both these tunes. 

David Bowie – Life on Mars?; Kooks

There are points of Life on Mars where I have no idea what the hell he is talking about. That being said, it's hard not to like the song. It's out there, but the tune and his voice keep it interesting and fun. Kooks is a fine song, not as strong overall as Life on Mars, but it is silly little song that is uplifting. It sort starts that theme on the second CD of this collection. 

The Rolling Stones – Sister Morphine; Shine a Light

It's always cool to hear album cuts from the Stones. While the Beatles sometimes would get silly with some of their album songs, the Stones would embrace their blues and soul side. You hear that in Sister Morphine. The one thing I'll say about this tune, is that I do wish at times for less Jagger. The instrumentation is better than him here. Shine a Light is a bit peppier, and has that sound of redemption which is the theme of the second CD. Perfect way to end it. 

Deer Tick - Easy 

I almost skipped over this because we had mentioned it earlier. I like this song, and I know that I have a few more Deer Tick tunes on my Spotify list. They seem like a rock band that understands what it does well and makes sure that they don't stray to far from that formula. There's nothing wrong with that. Too many bands lose their sound by trying to become more commercial and/or more experimental. Hopefully. this group allow fans to come to them and their sound. 

Red's Review of Kip Winger: Part 3

Greenskeepers - Lotion

So it wasn't until I looked this song up on YouTube that I realized that this song was inspired by Silence of the Lambs. The chorus are a seen from the movie. I hadn't seen the movie in so long that I never made that connection. There is that serial killer type feel to the song. Before coming to this realization, I couldn't really figure out exactly what the hell was going with the tune. I think it'll find its way into my rotation more often. 

Kelly Clarkson - Don't Let Me Stop You; Cry

There's nothing really anything wrong or repulsive about "Don't Let Me Stop You," but I also don't find anything spectacular about it. I do like it more than "Cry" because it has more pep. Both songs have that breakup song feel to them that sort of I get tired of with female artists. I suppose male artists have the same amount of breakup songs, but I just notice them with females. Unless it's "You Oughta Know," I just usually don't stay real interested. 

The Raconteurs – You Don't Understand Me; Hold up

I think this is the second collection that Snake has provided with the Raconteurs on it. In fact, he may have burned a whole CD of them at some point. I love the piano in "You Don't Understand Me." That song is another one that reminds of some other band or song that I can't quite place who. Great guitar to start "Hold Up." It's a completely different sound from the first selection. This is quick paced and hard hitting. I like both these songs, and don't think I can say that I like one more than another. I think it would just depend on my mood at certain time.

Wolfmother - Caroline; In The Castle

"Caroline" is an old-fashioned rock ballad that would have thrived in the 80s hair band days. Since I have a soft spot in my heart for that sound, this caught my ear right away. Love it.  "In the Castle" is closer to a classic jam hard rock song and even has that medieval, fantasy story backdrop that harkens back to bands like Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, and Jethro Tull. You can hear a little bit of all of them here.

Ace Frehley - Ozone

If this is indicative of Frehley's talent than he should probably have had more control over Kiss. You can hear the regular Kiss formula of song writing in there, but there seems to be a little more edge, a little more substance than some of the outlandish stuff Kiss would throw out there sometimes.  

Red's Kip Winger Review: Part 2

The Answer - Evil Man

There's something about the chorus of this song that reminds of some other song, but I can never put my finger on what that other song is. Maybe it's because this sort of feels like a late 70s early 80s hard rock song. I'd have to say that lyrics of this song would had fit well with the theme to my first CD Project. This is just a good old rock song.

Carrie Underwood - Songs Like This; Undo It

It's quite the narrative paring putting "Songs Like This" right after "Evil Man." Sort of a point-counterpoint argument. Both these songs are fine. I probably would never have actively went out to get them, but they'd be ones that I'd tap my foot to when they came on the radio. The repetitive "Uh-Uh-Uh," is one of those things that get in the head in an annoying way. 

The Dead Weather - New Pony; No Hassle Night

It wouldn't be a Snake produced CD without a Jack White appearance in some shape or form. "New Pony" is an interesting take on a Bob Dylan song. The evolution from the original to the cover is cool. I've grown to really like band's doing cover songs. Really good artists can take an old song and make it something new. The Dead Weather did that by adding an edge and funk to the track. For some reason "No Hassle Night" got lost on these CDs for me. I don't know if it just got buried around other tracks or what, but it either didn't stand out, or my mind happened to be occupied when it came on. I guess, "New Pony" just was more distinctive and memorable. 

The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs - Dull Life, Soft Shock

It's funny, I am using YouTube to play songs as I write about them since our CD drive is broken, and one of the related suggestions is Joan Jett. Her name was running through my head as I listened to the Yeah, Yeahs, Yeahs. There's that raw, angry female voice theme akin to some of Jett's tunes. "Dull Life" leads the listener through quite a journey, changing tempos, sounds, instruments throughout. "We see the nightmare of the lives..." Is a great lyric. "Soft Shock" has that little 80s sound to it. It's solid, but I think I like "Dull Life" better as an example of what the band is capable of. 

Them Crooked Vultures - Scumbag Blues; New Fang

"Scumbag Blues"  has the best opening of any songs on this CD. It grabs by the throat right away. It reminds me of Cream with the strong guitar and high, soft voice.  Can't help but like this one. "New Fang" opens with drums before hitting the guitar. It's sort of a faster driving song.  It's a good contrast to the first offering, showing that they'll skin the cat more than one way. Good music entrenched in rock and blues roots. 

Red's Kip Winger Review: Part 1

Note: I am going to break this down by band. It looks like that’s how we’ve done this in the past, and it will probably keep from there being too much repetition. I am just going down the list in order starting with first CD and then grabbing the other songs from each artist in that order.


Tubronegro – Do You Dig Destruction

The only offering from this group in the collection, there’s not much else that needs to be said other than this is a straight forward hard rock anthem with all the motifs of wild, violent fun. It’s kicks off the album well, and it never disappoints when one needs a good pick-me-up song to supply some energy. I believe this band made it into the 1,001 albums list at some point, if my memory serves right.

My Chemical Romance – Teenagers; Cancer

I can’t decide if My Chemical Romance is a great band with a catalog of great songs, or if they are just a good band with a couple great songs. I’ve sort gone both ways with the songs I’ve heard from these. These two in particular show a nice range. Teenagers is rock with a strong riff and a catchy hook. Cancer with the melodic piano and whiny voice is tender with that threat of a sharp edge. I like both tunes. Part of me wants to say this band is Green Day a generation later. Not sure though.

The Zutons – It’s the Little Things We Do; You’ve Got a Friend in Me

The Zutons are smooth. I love the lead singer’s voice. It has a rawness that doesn’t sound forced. It’s the Little Things We Do is a toe-tapper, and I can certainly relate to the lyrics (unfortunately). You’ve Got a Friend… has the nice mixture of male and female voice, and builds nicely into middle with a groovy guitar solo.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Day Tripper

Obviously, I know the Beatles version of this song. I believe I talked about this one earlier. There’s no reason to dislike this one, and it makes you wonder if he had live longer if Hendrix would have done covers of other songs. I think that would have been a very strong avenue for him. Sort of the guitar version of what Johnny Cash did late in his career.

Lady Gaga – Monster; Speechless

I just noticed that I only put Speechless on my MP3 player for some reason. I don’t recall having any reason for that. I do like the hook a bit more in Speechless than Monster. I suppose this shows how much of a music rock I live under, but I am not sure I had ever heard a Gaga song before this. I suppose I had and didn’t realize it. I always wonder when an artist dresses up and creates a whole persona if they are covering for a lack of actual talent. I don’t think that’s the case with Gaga, but I don’t know if she does all of her own writing. It’ll be interesting if she ever abandons some of the extra stuff if her overall output and success is the same.

A Look Back at 'The Legacy of Kip Winger'

Well I got off my game a little bit adjusting to a new job and some different working hours.  I finally made it back to finish off this look at 'The Legacy of Kip Winger.'

'Universe' - Scars On Broadway from Scars On Broadway

I think this song just sounds cool.  The jam is heavy, boarding on intense.  I like the vocals as he seems to hang on to the end of every word drawing them out into this sort of whine.  The song is about how we are killing the Earth.  But taken in the context of the story, it feels like Kip suffering and dieing.  "You never want to die like this."  I thought that was a good line for the story.   The whole sound of the song just seems kind of tumultuous.


'Reverend Wrinkle' - Black Stone Cherry from Folklore and Superstition

This is a newer band that rocks in the style of the classic hard rock.  The vocals are great and the wall of sound behind him blows me away.  I am still sort of confused about what they mean with the song.  But it always stuck out to me on the album as a great example of their hard rock chops.  I had trouble figuring out where this fit into my story.  I think the Reverend sounds almost like a last resort faith healer for Kip.  "He is only one who knows the way back home."  I think that is someone in the family saying he is our last chance to save Kip.



'Gimme Sympathy' - Metric from Fantasies

This was another song that was part of a free sampler.  I loved it from the first time I heard it.  There is just something about the whole sound that appeals to me.  It may be the several references to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.  If you pay attention to the words, I think for the story Kip and Caroline could be saying this. Obviously the fact that the vocalist is a female lends the thoughts to Caroline talking.  Which is probably the best fit to talk about getting sympathy after all of this is gone.  "You're gonna make mistakes, you're young."  There again either Caroline or Kip could be talking to their son.  This part would make more sense for Kip to be telling him that as like parting words especially with what Kip did.  So you could think there are parts for both of them.  I think this may also be where I thought that Kip would be a rock star thinking about being The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.


'Things My Father Said' - Black Stone Cherry from Folklore and Superstition

This is one of the songs that wrenches your heart.  Right from the first note of the piano, I just want to weep.  The vocalist really puts the soul into the words.  It may be nothing more than your typical rock ballad, but it always sticks with me.  I pictured Kip's son giving a eulogy at Kip's funeral.  The song fits well and makes it pretty clear what is happening in the story.  There may have even been a problem where Kip's song wasn't able"Somewhere there is a star shining so brightly that I can see your smile."  That is important as we roll into the next song.


'Shine A Light' - The Rolling Stones from Exile On Main St

This song was a beautiful end to The Rolling Stones epic album Exile on Main St and I thought it would be a good way to end mine.  I've always thought this song a little more special than their other slower songs.  There is this strange sincerity to the song.  I felt like this song was Kip singing down on his family from above.  "Make every song you sing, your favorite tune."  Maybe that would suggest Kip's son would go on to be a musician.  I wanted to end the album sounding a little happier after the last song being a weeper.  This song put a nice with finish to the story to try to make you feel a little happier about the future.


That ends the album.  I hope everyone enjoyed this look through the story I got out of the music and maybe discovering some new songs and artists along the way.  I would like to go back over all the songs and artists to summarize them and make some suggestions for further listening.

A Look Back at 'The Legacy of Kip Winger' - Part 7

Kip and Caroline are raising their son up right.  Things have changed between them and Kip is working hard to make amends for his life through teaching his son the lessons he learned the hard way.  This are about to change.

'Testify' - Aranda from Aranda

This is a pretty funky song.  You hear some good singing chops from the fellas of Aranda.  The hook is very catchy and feels like an old blues song played on an acoustic guitar.  Here Kip is fighting to find religion.  This is something that has probably been lacking in his life.  The song makes me think of him fighting some demons within himself and looking for help beyond his family to keep him on the right path.  The way the singer wails testify always made me think of church and someone yelling at the preacher to testify to the lord!


'Soft Shock' - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs from It's Blitz!

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs play this mellow, brooding sound so well.  The fuzz of the guitar hides in the background sounding chaotic, but never interrupting the singer.  Her voice sounds so sweet as she sits in front of the issues behind her.  This one is kind of open to thoughts on the story.  I think Caroline is worried.  She doesn't know about what, but she can feel something is going to happen.  Things have been going well for them.  Maybe it is the past creeping into her mind, she doesn't want Kip to leave her behind again.


'No Hassle Night' - The Dead Weather from Horehound

This song is an assault on the senses.  The distortion kicks you in the teeth without being over powering to the song.  This sound of The Dead Weather is like nothing else I had heard before.  Their ability to hold back at times is what makes it seem extra menacing.  This song really becomes sort of the beginning of the end.  I don't know what it ever points to specifically in the story other than the tone of the music.  It is dark and evil sounding.  I believe it is symbolizing something bad that is happening internally that is made clear in the next song.


'Cancer' - My Chemical Romance from The Black Parade

 The song is pure sadness.  While being part of a concept album, it is pretty easy to figure out what is happening here.  There is something about the piano that makes it have the ability to make you weep with just a few key chords.  The arrangement is beautiful in the way it conveys the message even if there were no lyrics at all.  Life has a way of catching up with you.  Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you've reformed, in the end some things can never be shaken.  Kip is dying. 


'Cry' - Kelly Clarkson from All I Ever Wanted

Kelly's vocal range is on its best display here.  She can belt it out with the best of them.  This is how she can differentiate herself from others out there.  Here Caroline is dealing with the news.  There is a line in the song about this being as hard as it gets.  Even with all the old troubles and heart aches she's had, nothing can compare to this.  "This is as hard as it gets.  This is what it feels like to really cry."  You could say out of all this story, Caroline is hurt more than Kip in every instance.  She's been through so much with him already and now her pain has just begun.


This section is the turning point and turn downer of the second CD.  The next section is the last and will finish up our story.

A Look Back at 'The Legacy of Kip Winger' - Part 6

We left Kip and Caroline sort of finding each other again.  They have rekindled their love and move forward with their relationship from here.
'In The Castle' - Wolfmother from Cosmic Egg

The second part of this song sounds closer to what most Wolfmother tunes sound like.  They are usually fast paced, rocking songs.  They are definitely more of a throwback, but I have never quite been able to figure out who to compare them to.  This is a pivotal song in the story with maybe some time lapse from the previous.  I took the lyrics to mean than Kip and Caroline are getting married.  There is a part in there about walking off into the castle and another about sitting at the table drinking their wine which made me think of a reception party.


'Incomplete' - Sara Schiralli from Bang Bang

This song was a part of a sampler collection.  It has always stuck out to me.  The tune is so beautiful and the singing fits in there perfectly.  I haven't ever really checked out other stuff from her, which I suppose is an injustice on my part since I like this song so much.  This song probably more than any other is my total interpretation of the song for the story.  I could never find the lyrics and with the accent, it was hard for me to understand what she was singing about all the time.  So I took the line, "This picture is incomplete," and fit into where we were in the story.  Things have turned around for our two love birds, now married.  Caroline wants to complete their family.


'Kooks' - David Bowie from Hunky Dory

This songs feels like David Bowie stole a song from Neil Young.  It has that rock/country southern flare that Young specialized in.  I believe I read somewhere that Bowie wrote this song after listening to one of Young's new albums of the day.  I've always like it as an example of those quirky songs that Bowie had the ability to spin and make sound so accessible.  Here Kip is singing to his new baby as he and Caroline have completed their family.  Their is certainly a different feeling of love and happiness around them now.


'It's Okay, Try Again' - The Shins from Yo Gabba Gabba! Music Is Awesome

This song is so beautiful in its simplicity.  I really haven't listened to much from The Shins but this song makes me want to.  I love the banjo interlaced in the song, you don't hear that much.  Yo Gabba Gabba! is a kid's show that features some pretty good music for their 'Super Music Friends Show' in each episode.  Here again as their child grows up, Kip is doing his best to teach him a lesson, perhaps one Kip learned the hard way.  Life will even you out as long as you make it OK and don't go the wrong way.  


'Lovely, Love My Family' - The Roots from Yo Gabba Gabba! Music Is Awesome

The Roots make some pretty cool music and most people might know them now as the band on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.  This song is so smooth it feels like melted butter.  Where else are you gonna hear a sousaphone solo?  This is Kip and Caroline's child singing now as he grows older.  I really don't think anything had outlined the sex or name of their child.  I don't know if I ever do think of a name, but it is definitely a boy.  He is doing the right thing.  He loves his family and they are making a good home for him.


 While this section may not seem all that exciting, I guess it sort of paints a couple pictures for me.  First, that Kip is trying to finally straighten out his life.  After all he has done wrong and done to hurt Caroline, they find a way to work it out.  Now they are raising a family and we see several instances of Kip trying to set his son on a good path.  This is perhaps some nurturing Kip never got or maybe didn't pay attention to.  This section may make more sense once we get through this CD.  Without saying too much, this becomes the setup for things to come.

A Look Back at The Legacy of Kip Winger: Part 5

We will kick off the second album of The Legacy of Kip Winger compilation.  The first album ended with Kip losing Caroline and falling into drugs with the help of Ace.  It finished with a harrowing image of Kip racing through a hospital trying to be rescued from a drug overdose.

'Speechless' - Lady Gaga from The Fame Monster

I love this song.  This is my favorite Lady Gaga song.  It shows that she can really sing behind all the electronic rhythms and enhancements that usually grace her songs.  Her message is straight forward and powerful.  It kicks off the second album with Caroline wallowing in the pain that Kip has caused her.  I picture her sitting at his hospital bed sobbing as he lies there in a coma, the heart monitors bleeping in the background.  She is conflicted by the love that still resides in her and all the pain that lingers from Kip's inability to show his love or clean up his act.


'Gravity' - Aranda from Aranda

Aranda are special in their unspecialness.  They are good and make good songs, but they are very unassuming.  I could not pinpoint one special or interesting thing about them other than their songs sound good in that typical pop/rock sense that music treads in these days.  For the story, this would be Kip's hospital rage after maybe receiving a lecture from Caroline after waking from the coma.  "You had it all worked out when you pushed me away."  That would be Kip saying why are you here lecturing and sobbing over me now when you said we were done and wished you could 'Undo It'.


'Hold Up' - The Raconteurs from Consolers of the Lonely

Our second installment from the power group has them a little more upbeat than earlier.  This is closer to something Jack White would have done as the White Stripes.  It borders on frantic at times and features some nifty guitar work in the bridges between verses.  Here, it is the title that advances the story.  Kip is recanting on his rant by asking Caroline don't go so fast.  The mention of a prison cell in the lyrics could hint as to where Kip ended up after recovering in the hospital.




'New Fang' - Them Crooked Vultures from Them Crooked Vultures

This song is a bit grittier than the first entry from Them Crooked Vultures.  The rhythm feels more Queens of the Stoneage.  Here the line, "Think you got me confused for a better man," stuck out to me.  That is Kip feeling insecure about himself in being able to treat Caroline right.  They are having a more serious conversation about what 'they' are.

'You've Got a Friend in Me' - The Zutons from Tired of Hanging Around

This song has always stuck out to me on The Zuton's album.  This is kind of a dark and moody love song.  A reluctant lover of someone else.  Even though if you pay attention to the lyrics, it sounds more like he is stalking the woman.  I take the line, "I want a new love. I'm sick of this past life.  But I'm scared of new love."  That is Kip at his most honest he has ever been with Caroline.  This is sort of their getting back together song.  I would picture more that Caroline is saying you've got a friend in me.

A Look Back at The Legacy of Kip Winger: Part 4

To recap, Kip and Caroline have parted ways after several escalating fights.  We will follow Kip for the most part as this section with complete the first album in The Legacy of Kip Winger.

'Ozone' - Ace Frehley from Kiss: Ace Frehley

I am one of the believers in the fact that Ace is God.  He is by far an underrated guitarist, member of KISS and true rock n' roll lifestyle guy.  I took the chance on this album knowing that if he put any effort into it at all, it would be good.  This song stuck out to me as sort of him writing his autobiography in a song.  For the story, Ace is a guy that Kip meets drowning his sorrows over Caroline running away from him.  I think it is obvious what kind of guy Ace is.


'Count Five or Six' - Cornelius from Fantasma

I first heard this song performed on a TV show.  Being live, the band played faster and the mix sounded louder.  In those areas, this studio recording falls a little short.  Still the song is hypnotic and gets stuck in your head.  The tempo changes rapidly and keeps you guessing.  The lyrics may be simplistic, but the music is far from it.  I knew it would be tough to fit in a song with almost no lyrics into a story.  Focus more on the music and it frantic tempo changes and hypnotic nature.  Kip and Ace are partying and it is getting heavy.


'3005' - Scars on Broadway from Scars on Broadway

 I really like these guys.  This is the other two guys that were part of System of a Down.  Their music is deep and rich with meaning.  For the most part they tend to be much more focused than SOAD ever was in the way they put songs together.  For progressing the story, focus on the lyric, "I'll be there shooting up your world, watching all the resurrection junkies losing ground."  While the drug aspect is not what the original song is about, it can certainly be thought that way if you focus on a few lines.  Kip is descending quickly with the help of Ace.


'Life on Mars?' - David Bowie from Hunky Dory
 
This is perhaps my absolute favorite song by David Bowie.  The lyrics are symbolic in their own right.  Bowie paints this picture of the world spinning in the same direction while the same bad things happening over and over again.  He feels the world is doom and looking for hope.  You can tell Bowie is moving to his Sci-Fi space kick that will eventually create Ziggy Stardust.  This is really a dual meaning song for the story.  Caroline probably stumbled back across some pictures of the good times with Kip.  At the same time Kip is tripping out seeming some of the odd images from the song and thinking about life on mars as an out of body experience for him.  So while Caroline is wondering what could have been and facing her feelings head on, Kip has escaped into drugs and is on the edge.


'Sister Morphine' - The Rolling Stones from Sticky Fingers

This is one of those songs that is a true hidden gem of realism from the Stones.  This probably comes from a close call or real incident.  The star of the song is Keith's guitar.  It is haunting and so nasty.  The song still gives me chills at times when I listen to it.  It was truly a blessing that this song and part of the story ended the first album.  It almost becomes a mini cliff hanger for the story.  The song should be taken almost literally with the story.  Kip went too far, he is being revived by EMTs in the ambulance.  You would see the shot of the fluorescent lights flying by as Kip opens his eyes while being whisked down the hallway on a gurney.............

A Look Back at The Legacy of Kip Winger: Part 3

Note:  I need to correct some story points from Part 2.  'Songs Like This' was not the breakup of Kip and his woman.  It was more of a fight that causes them to think things differently.  Thus 'New Pony' becomes Kip's woman taking her own leisure since she sees Kip doing the same thing.   'Scumbag Blues' is still remorse but not about a breakup, but other issues in their relationship.  This came to me as I looked over what happens in this section of the story.

'Lotion' - The Greenskeepers from Polo Club

This song is somewhat of a guilty pleasure.  The groove is hypnotic and the lyrics are eerie pulling from a classic scary movie character.  You know the song is about messed up stuff, yet the rhythm makes you nod your head in time. I always struggled with how this song would fit into the story for me given its lyrical content.  Pulling back from literal interpretation, the song is more about Kip's obsession of his woman and his potential toxic effects on their relationship.

'Don't Let Me Stop You' - Kelly Clarkson from All I Ever Wanted

Kelly really belts out this song.  You can feel every bit of effort she gives and hear the fed up attitude in her voice.  This was the first full album of hers that I had bought and wasn't disappointed with the edge she brings to her music.  This is Kip's woman finally taking a stand in their relationship.  She is seeing his disrespect and knows she could do better.

'You Don't Understand Me' - The Raconteurs from Consolers of the Lonely

I wish The Raconteurs could of stayed together.  They were making some great music and I love the harmonies they put together, especially on this song.  The piano alone could break your heart, but mix in those backing vocals in the verses and the song oozes sadness.  The song fits perfectly in the story here.  This is Kip's retort in their argument.  There is a mixed message in the lyrics for Kip.  There are words thrown out similar to the previous song about go ahead and go, I can do better.  But the tone of the song suggests there is true sadness within Kip that he doesn't want to lose her.

'Undo It' - Carrie Underwood from Play On

This is our second and final entry from Carrie in his album.  On my first listen to Play On, this song stuck out for her vocal performance.  I believe since I had put it on the album, it was released as a single and thus would have violated my unwritten rule about songs.  So instead I take pride in my ability to pick out the good songs on an album without being force feed them on the radio. If you remember back a post ago and from my note above, I labeled 'Songs Like This' as Kip and his woman's breakup song.  That is what a few years removed from the story can do.  Red was correct in his observation that it didn't need to be a breakup and it wasn't supposed to be in my original thoughts.  I had forgotten what came later in the story and two angry Carrie Underwood songs didn't make remembering any easier.  This is truly the breakup.  Kip's woman wishes she had never gone where she did with Kip and wants out now.  

'Caroline' - Wolfmother from Cosmic Egg 

I had to look back and see if I had included Wolfmother's first album in my previous compilation 'Get A Haircut And Get a Real Job'.  I had not.  This song is different from anything else I had heard from Wolfmother as they usually rock out in that sex, drugs and Rock 'n Roll style of yesteryear.  This song is slow, brooding and gut wrenching at times.  You could say this song officially names my female lead as Caroline.  In the story, this is Kip's heartache post Caroline telling him to get lost.  He begs her to come back with him and run away to whatever place with make her happy.  The line that always sticks out with me, "Caroline, why you wanna live this way?", tells me Kip does love her but he just doesn't know how to love.  This has been built up to us through all his actions thus far.

Stay tuned for the next section that will finish up the first album of this double album compilation set.

A Look Back at 'The Legacy of Kip Winger' - Part 2

 Let's continue the look back over the story of the man known as Kip Winger.  We are going to look at songs 6 thru 10.

'Evil Man' - The Answer from Everyday Demons

I love the name of this band.  It is total bad ass rock 'n roll, because it doesn't matter the question these guys are The Answer.   This is a great hard rock song for the modern area.  The Answer pound through 'Evil Man' as if they were AC/DC gone back in time.  The song flows right from the female perspective of Kip being a monster to his own self awareness as to his intentions.  This just continues to keep the loud, heavy sound of the beginning of this collection going strong.

'Songs Like This' - Carrie Underwood from Play On

Even though I absolutely love this song, I struggled with where it would fit in this collection.  Carrie is probably the angriest, most spiteful we have ever heard her.  This may end up being Tony Romo's greatest contribution to society.  The song toes that line many do these days between country and pop.  If we are looking in the aspect of time, there would likely be a little flash forward between previous two songs and this sort of break-up between Kip and his woman.  It almost becomes a self fulfilling prophecy after the earlier message that something would that happen in their relationship.


'New Pony' - The Dead Weather from Horehound

It wasn't until later doing research for my thoughts on this compilation that I found out this song is actually a Bob Dylan cover.  Like many before them, The Dead Weather take a toned down folky Dylan tune and kick it up a few notches.  That's Jack White singing backup and pounding on the drums.   The song feels like an assault on the senses with a beat so thick you can taste it and an aura of being right in middle of the action so you can feel the singer's hot breath on your face.  As for the story, I'll leave it slightly up to your interpretation as to who found the new pony.  Obviously post breakup, someone has to move on.

'Dull Life' - Yeah Yeah Yeahs from It's Blitz!

The riff to this song just sucks me in.  There is something mesmerizing about her voice and the music.  The song represents a matured sound for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs than previous albums.  There is a fuller sound and more layers to the composition.  The line that sticks out is: "We see the nightmare of the lies that you speak."  I am not sure who would be saying it, but they are definitely saying it to Kip.  It may be a parent or figure of authority almost in a retort of saying what Kip would find as the dull life ain't so bad.

'Scumbag Blues' - Them Crooked Vultures from Them Crooked Vultures

Them Crooked Vultures is a modern power trio with old school roots.  That may be easier to achieve when one of your trio is John Paul Jones.  His keyboard chops a la Physical Graffiti are on full display.  The song has a very early hard rock feel to it with Dave Grohl doing his best John Bonham impersonation.   Homage or not, it sounds awesome.  I think the title more than anything states how the song progresses the story.  Kip is on a downturn here in his life.  He is likely feeling some remorse over losing his girl and getting plenty of grief from other people in his life.

A Look Back at 'The Legacy of Kip Winger'

It had become an annual tradition for a buddy and me to make compilation albums each year highlighting to the other new music we had purchased.  Whether we had any set rules or not, I always tried to keep it to two songs max from a single album and always tried to pick the 'hidden gems' from the album.  I didn't want to just throw out all the singles that people might have already heard on the radio or TV.  The overall point was to highlight the album and introduce music that the other person hadn't heard and might otherwise not listen to.  I believe this album would reference back to my musical year of 2009.  I spent much more time on this compilation than I had in the past mulling over the song sequence trying to find a good flow knowing that is part of the recipe to make new songs appealing.  Eventually I noticed a theme I was creating and came up with the concept of trying to put my disparate songs together into some kind of mosaic portraying a life story of my fictional character, Kip Winger.  I've wanted to get back to posting an overview of why I picked the songs while trying to explain my thoughts on how they form the story.  So here I go.  Sit back and enjoy this look back at The Legacy of Kip Winger.

'Do You Do You Dig Destruction' - Turbonegro from Retox

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it.  When thinking of what to put together on my album, I knew I had to put this in somewhere.  I think it may have been part of a Jackass or Viva La Bam soundtrack which is partly how I came to possess it.  I have since picked up a couple other albums from this Norwegian punk band.  The song's loud, upbeat tempo makes it a good starter song and the lyrical content really painted the formation a story in my head.  It gave me the beginning to build off of.  The song is stereotypical punk in its anti establishment message.  This gave me an image of the youth gone wild of Kip almost in the same light of Alex from A Clockwork Orange.  He's a misfit, a trouble maker that is living life for the kicks without a care in the world.  A good interpretation on my part since later I did research for this and read how the band made the video to look like a James Dean type rebellion gang.  That was kind of the feel I was looking for.

'Teenagers' - My Chemical Romance from The Black Parade

It took me a few listens before I truly understood The Black Parade even though looking back the message overall kind of slaps you in the face.  This song always stood out for me and fitting perfectly to continue the feel of rebellion.  Although this song kind of becomes the other side of the point that the adults in Kip's life are looking to shape the kids into what they want them to be.  The chorus sticks with me as I love the sound of the lyrics, "Teenagers scare the living shit outta me."  Plus I've always been a sucker for upbeat sounding songs that have darker under tones (look for this later).  Here I am still trying to set the character ground work of what Kip's life is.

'It's The Little Things We Do' - The Zutons from Tired of Hanging Around

This was my second album purchase of the Zutons having highlighted Who Killed... in previous compilations.  This is their sophomore effort and seems to fulfill the second effort letdown.  The songs just aren't as special and imaginative as their first release.  I enjoyed this song as a standout on the Zuton's album.  The lyrics crack me up and I like the perspective they put on the issues with partying hard on the morning after.  I keep the pace upbeat but try to put a little extra spin on Kip's situation.  He may have these inklings that he may need to change his lifestyle, but only really in the pain of a hangover of regret.  Still, I think the point of this song in the story is still to showcase how hard he is currently living. 

'Day Tripper' - The Jimi Hendrix Experience from BBC Sessions

I thought this was a great cover by a guy that has the easy ability to make anything sound his own.  I enjoying hearing people take Beatles' songs and put more juice into them.  Plus, it was about the only thing from the BBC Sessions album that I knew I could highlight that most people hadn't heard before.  It keeps the pace fast if not quickens it even more.  In the idea of the story, I believe it just rounds out more of the partying aspect and issues that Kip runs into with his lifestyle.  I especially like the nuance you could create when considering the old rumors on what the Beatles meant when they said daytripper. 

'Monster' - Lady Gaga from The Fame Monster

This is Lady Gaga's second album.  I think this is a good representation of Gaga's edge before it became so painfully obvious to everyone.  Like most of her songs, the groove is tight and makes you want to move.  I really liked the narrative Gaga works on in the song and I think shows her depth over other 'dance' artists.  Here it where I attempt to introduce the female lead of Kip's story.  I don't think I ever thought of a name for her.  This could even not necessarily be my lead female yet, just one of the women Kip hooks up with in his party lifestyle.  I thought it fit well to keep the pace up looking more into Kip's life and maybe how the other sex would see him.  Probably doesn't get more obvious than saying 'the boy is a monster.'

This concludes this first section of five songs on The Legacy of Kip Winger compilation album.  Their are 40 songs in all so my remedial math skills say that means 8 posts in all if I don't do a final sum up.  Be sure to check back in a couple days for the next part.