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Nowadays, metal is filled with names of bands composed entirely of female members, but in 1977 it was a much rarer occurrence. What can I say: Girlschool were one of the first all-female heavy metal rock formations. Stylistically and musically, they were a great example for many rockers in the years to come. Breaking away from the stereotype of good girls, they made their style a "tomboy" attitude, with jeans and leather, like a female version of the Motorhead, a band they worked with extensively, even recording an album together: "S.Valentine Day Massacre". Initially called Painted Lady, they formed in a college in London. After a single with City Records, they secured a contract with Bronze, releasing "Demolition".
The record starts playing, and all the positive fame of the band is justified. A musical fury, fresh and fun, without embellishments or dead points. The instrumental part is simple and precise, a heavy rock n' roll beast, driving and dirty, seasoned with bluesy variations and direct, well-executed solos. Everything is recorded excellently, nothing is left in the background, every instrument has its due importance and is perfectly blended in the musical context. Kim's voice is arrogant but supported, no falsettos or vindictive screams, just a clean and well-tuned vocal line that articulates each track, making the listening experience enjoyable and catchy. Ten songs with an average duration of three and a half minutes, stylistically similar but not predictable and clichéd as in many other NWOBHM records. Another point in favor of Girlschool is that we don't feel that forced competition against other male bands, so we don't find any bland parts, ruined by an eagerness to overdo it or show superiority. After all, I would add that much of their success (after their talent) was also due to the support of big names like Rainbow, Deep Purple, and, as I mentioned before, the Motorhead.
Highlighting the best tracks is quite difficult; we find, in fact, "Demolition Boy", "Not for Sale", "Race with the Devil", "Nothing to Lose", "Breakdown", "Baby Doll", or "Emergency", well, I might as well have mentioned them all since they are all classics.
In conclusion, I can assure you that listening to this record is a real pleasure; it flows beautifully and is packed with great material perfect for letting loose.
I was repeatedly tempted to insert stupid sexist clichés into this review, just for effect, but I refrained for a simple reason: this music was not intended as "the revenge of the blondes," but simply as fucking rock heavy metal. Now let's listen to "Demolition" and remember what a great character Kelly Johnson was, who passed away last July 15th.
Tracklist and Lyrics
03 Race With the Devil (02:52)
You'd better run
You'd better run
You'd better run from the Devil's gun
The race is on
The race is on
Now you'd better run from the Devil's gun
Strange things happen
If you stay
The Devil will catch you anyway
He'll seek you here
He'll seek you there
The Devil will seek you everywhere
And when he finds you
You'll soon find out
The Devil's fire just won't go out
He burns you up
From head to toe
The Devil's grip just won't let go
04 Take It All Away (03:43)
Girlschool - Take It All Away One day you're up, next day you're down, Nothing you can do but just stay around Trying to do your best,hoping they're impressed, But can you hurry up 'cause you wanna know who's next Oooo, they're gonna take it all away Loved you last night, loved you yesterday But you'd better be careful just what you say Saved all my money, saving that's a drag But I never let them see you when you drive up in your Jag Oooo, they're gonna take it all away They're gonna They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, Repeat 2ND VERSE They're gonna They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, come for you today, They're gonna take it all away, You better watch out! They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna take it all away, They're gonna take it all away Whoo!
08 Emergency (02:51)
Emergency-Girlschool can't make out things he said but there's too many nouns to get out of my head It must be mad, must be lie From the crazy things of my mind (chorus) 9-9-9 Emergency! (emergency) (4x) Get it free, get it inside Time is running and you now it's too hard When to run, what to do? You better run from what comes to you (chorus) 9-9-9 Emergency! (emergency) (4x)
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