winnie is a band that makes a striking first impression and the group’s latest release is a great musical foot to start 2009 on.
winnie’s third mini album, Headquarter dropped January 14th. Boasting seven full tracks, it’s a poignant effort that leaves me wondering: if this is what a mini album is like for this band, what would a full-length release sound like? I hope to learn an answer some time later this year. But Headquarter will certainly suffice for now. Wow!
The band’s dual lead singer-fronted, guitar-driven alternative pop/rock sound is incredibly fresh and beautiful. These guys and girl sound like they know who they are and aren’t growers…I started loving ‘em during the first chorus in “first class speed of light” and felt I almost intimately “got” their sound after listening to “sweep”. Those were the first two tracks I heard! That’s a testament to winnie’s unequivocal uniqueness.
The two lead vocalists thing works wonderfully and both singers’ contributions are vital. Iori and Okuji often alternate singing with either one beginning a track to later be joined by the other in choruses and such. Both Iori and Okuji have great standalone voices but the real magic happens when they create harmony together.
Something like a trio and a half, winnie features two vocalist/guitarists — one female, one male — Iori and Okuji along with drummer Shoji and a split support bassist line up of either Akira Abe or Naoto Komatsu. They are currently signed with EVOL RECORDS.
The band was formed in 2002 and released their debut release, restock this falling wrong later that year. The band’s second effort, first class speed of light dropped in ’03. Two releases came in ’08: The Darkest Eternal Lights mini album and the single, sweep.
The seven tracks on Headquarter are “sweep”, “brightness”, “first class speed of light” (not off the release that bares the same name), “without you”, “celebration lays on me”, “stuck in the air”, and “suddenly”.
Watch the PV for “first class speed of light”. I hum the bass line everytime:
Check out winnie’s official site and MySpace page.
By pengie on January 14, 2009 at 2:17 am
ahh, you’re into winnie too! Impeccable taste as always. I’ve named a blog after one of their songs so I gotta love em… :)
I can’t wait to get my hands on this, especially now that I’ve read your review. The Darkest Eternal Lights was really great but I’ve been craving a bigger taste of their stuff. I hope they gain some popularity from this one, because they deserve it. What they’re doing now is pretty similar to uinona (if you’ve ever heard their stuff), but I feel like winnie’s being a lot more persistant in their pursuit of musical awesomeness. Or somethin’. anyway, kudos, you’ve got great taste. and thanks for the pv link, did not know that was out.
By arcadia-x on January 14, 2009 at 11:49 am
I loved Darkest Eternal Lights and this PV is also awesome. But I don’t think they sound like Uinona (from the mini album I have).
Anyway, I prefer winnie to uinona, I am really fond of winnie’s vocals.
By pengie on January 14, 2009 at 10:21 pm
@arcadia-x: I don’t think they sound *like* uinona, exactly, but their setup is kind of similar (leading male vocals, female on backup). :)
By Jimi on March 4, 2009 at 11:34 pm
rediscovered em. I dig.
By richiety on April 2, 2009 at 10:49 pm
@pengie: I’m a fan of winnie’s music and also Veltpunch who I think they’re quite similar to. I’m checking out UINONA per your mention of them and found two of their albums on iTunes (albeit under the name “patrasche”). A quick check to UINONA’s web site shows that they’re currently not touring (since 2005) and their last album release was in 2003.
By unchained » Blog Archive » winnie at the speed of light on December 15, 2009 at 9:30 pm
[...] apparently has ridiculously good taste (as if there was ever any doubt, right?), gave the album a really great review, so go read it and then pick up a copy of the album for [...]
By winnie at the speed of light « unchained on February 7, 2011 at 7:16 pm
[...] apparently has ridiculously good taste (as if there was ever any doubt, right?), gave the album a really great review, so go read it and then pick up a copy of the album for [...]
By Paul Winnie Fan 1 on September 22, 2011 at 6:53 am
I am from australia and was staying in Shimo last month. saw Winnie live. They were amazing . i was a lifetime fan in less than 1 minute. Awesome show. Great songs. great performers . i wish they would come to Australia and play. they would blow everyone away , and blow every band off stage.
Winnie ROCKS !
I wanted to buy all their CD’s but only can download but couldn’t find anywhere…wwaaaaaaah !