Back in 1969 future Winger front man Kip Winger formed a band with his brother Nate on drums and friend Peter Fletcher on guitar. The band was called Blackwood Creek and over the next 11 years they played a mixture of covers and original material to audiences of varying sizes.

However, come 1980 the boys head in separate directions - Kip heads to New York and joins Alice Cooper’s band before forming Winger, Nate and Peter head to Los Angeles (Winger records with the likes of Ratt, Kix and Europe while Fletcher forms Pigmy Love Circus).

Then in 2007 the band reformed to record this self-titled debut album. 'Blackwood Creek' features 11 tracks mixing good solid hard rock with lighter moments. There is not the big polished production that you would normally associate with Winger, however, the hooks and choruses are all in place as the album grooves along from beginning to end.

'Love Inspector' is reminiscent of late ‘80’s KISS, whilst 'Dead Stung' has a more modern feel, with a hint of Velvet Revolver thrown in. 'Rack of Greed' is another out and out rocker – as opposed to ballad 'After Your Heart', the Blades/Shaw like 'Albatross' or 'Wooden Shoe' with its Beatles/Queen harmonies. Other highlights on the album include 'Joy Ride' and 'Nothing But The Sun' which almost veers into the territory of power-pop.

'Blackwood Creek' is a straight-forward, melodic hard rock album that will hopefully lead to more from the band.

****

Review by Nikk Gunns