It’s no secret that this latest release from Lita Ford, the guitar goddess of rock ‘n roll, is a deeply personal and cathartic one. After suffering through years of marital strife that ended in a bitter divorce, Ford chose to focus her energies and emotions toward creating a record that reflects some intense sentiments that, without question, need no interpretation.
Songs such as the first single, “Branded,” waste no time getting to the point. It’s the hardest rocking track on the record and blew me into the next room on the first listen.
Lita’s chops are filled with vengeance, and she has never sounded better! “Asylum” follows the same marital commentary, however it is set to a slower, more sedated and serene sound, which works well with the lyrics, by inducing feelings of spiraling despair while clinging to ones last shred of sanity.
The ballad of the bunch is simply entitled “Mother.” This is a poignant and powerful song written for Lita’s 2 sons, Rocco and James. The pain in her voice resonates through this song with spine tingling emotion; if it doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, nothing will. What doesn’t come out in words on this record, screams out in her playing. It’s fierce and filled with passion. The guitar solos are plentiful and unequivocally Lita, and just like her vocals, go from delicate to devilish in one seductive swoop.
The other stand out track, which is as radio friendly as they make ‘em, is “Living like a Runaway.” This song represents a nostalgic look back at Lita’s early career and coming of age alongside bandmates Joan Jett, Cherie Curry, Sandy West of The Runaways. However, to me, there is an undercurrent to the song, which whether intended or not, seems to hint toward the parallel path that she is currently experiencing; a new beginning and the fear of the unknown. But the Lita we all know and love is fearless, and so long as that guitar is strapped to her back, she will overcome adversity every time.
For those fans (like myself) who though we lost her after the debacle that was “Wicked Wonderland,” rest assured, ‘Juicy Lucy’ is back to satiate our ear holes with her signature brand of hard rock, and for that I say, it’s about goddamn time girl!
