Women rock out, too, you know

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in the September 5, 1984 issue of The Daily Aztec.

At last, a female guitarist has broken into the male-dominated ranks of heavy metal. Best of all, Lita Ford's new solo album, her second, is full of first-rate head-bangin' music.

As on her first album, Ford sings and plays all guitar parts here. On the first cut, "Gotta Let Go," she immediately exhibits her command of the instrument with energetic but finely honed riffs that span the full range of the fretboard. On the second song, the title track, bassist Hugh McDonald is more prominent, providing a crisp complement to Ford's guitar work.

Ford's deep, husky voice resembles that of Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow. On "Lady Killer," she finds the best balance between those rough vocals and her guitar work. But on "Don't Let Me Down Tonight," Ford attempts to sing a ballad and her voice just isn't dynamic enough to handle the load.

While the quality of the songs begins to run thin at the end of the album, Ford has put together a solid group and assembled some tough, hard-driving music.