Rock Goddess: Rock Goddess (reissue)

Reading the thoughts of Geoff Barton (Sounds, Kerrang!, Classic Rock) in the liner notes of the rather snazzy fold-out poster which accompanies this reissue of the self titled Rock Goddess album, makes for an interesting process. Geoff basically admits to dismissing the hard rockin' three piece while happily featuring them in all sorts of provocative poses in his predominantly male read magazine of the time (Kerrang!). Therefore it's not surprising that most people found the sisters Turner (Jody (guitars/vocals) and Julie (drums - who was only 14 at the time!)) and bassist Tracey Lamb to be an interesting if unessential diversion from the real deal in female fronted 80s metal, Girlschool. However like Barton, having the chance to hear this 1983 debut afresh brings a new appreciation for what this power trio had in their armoury. I mean if "Satisfied Then Crucified" doesn't outdo Metallica in their Diamond Head worshiping some five months before Lars and Co. appeared, then I don't know what does. Then there's the surging build of "Heartache" which illustrates the subtle side of Jody's stunning voice to great effect, as a riff rampages the album into life across a stubborn thump of drums that sums up Julie's hit 'em hard and hit 'em heavy style.

Really that sums this album up in one neat little package, a surging NWOBHM swipe moulded into something a little more refined, a little punky in attitude and a lot more ambitious than most of us remember. A continuous barrage of short blasts leave a mark as mighty as the main players in the metal scene back then (and back then the main players in the metal scene were mighty indeed). Just listen to the dancingly dangerous guitar and bass bombast behind "The Love Lingers Still" or power rush of "One Way Love", where Jody tells the tale of boy meets girl from the side of the girl for a change. However it's through the still memorable "My Angel" where the goddesses of rock still make their strongest impression. It must easily have been 25 years since I last heard this song and yet as soon as the pulsating vibe kicked in, I still knew every word and hair tossing lick. If only I'd realised this song was so good first time round, I wouldn't be owning this album for the first time some 32 years after its release (although my older brother bought it at the time)!

Cherry Red always do their utmost to provide a bonus cut on their reissues and this time it is the Glam standard (and cover of the disgraced Gary Glitter) "I Didn't Know I Loved You ('Till I Saw You Rock 'n' Roll)", which receives a brutish, faithful reworking.

Two albums would follow from Rock Goddess amidst ever changing line-up-upheavals and while both had there merits (my brother bought them too!), neither had the immediacy or power of the simply and aptly titled Rock Goddess.

Track Listing
1. Heartache
2. Back To You
3. Love Lingers Still
4. To Be Betrayed
5. Take Your Love Away
6. Angel
7. Satisfied Then Crucified
8. Start Running
9. One Way Love
10. Make My Night
12. Heavy Metal Rock N Roll
Bonus track
13. I Didn't Know I Loved You Till I Saw You Rock N Roll

Added: February 15th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Rock Goddess at Cherry Red
Hits: 1680
Language: english

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