Lita Ford
Living Like a Runaway
SPV
2012
Oh dear, Caramelita, has indeed led a rather interesting, but somewhat bizarre life. From doing those high energy aerobic video clips and churning out, some good time rock n roll and rock & metal first with The Runaways and later on her own, to being romantically linked and even married with some interesting characters from the scene (was engaged to Tony Iommy, married Chris Holmes and Jim Gillette), with rather odd, to say at least endings. The latter in fact was deemed to be responsible in a large percentage for the debacle that the nu metal flavored “Wicked Wonderland”, Lita’s supposed comeback album, was. After that and a rather bitter divorce following a failed attempt to launch a “reality” TV show, about her family’s life, much like Gene Simmons or Dee Snider had done, she vowed to return with a “real” Lita album.
And “Living Like a Runaway” is very much delivering and fulfilling that promise. Well maybe her voice is a little, more husky and deeper, but I suppose it’s maturity. Also the writing partnership with, Gary Hoey, of Heavy Bones fame (he also nearly landed the Ozzy gig, in the late 90s and has released some dozen instrumental albums, through the years) has produced, a true hard rock album, but it’s quite darker, than the early albums and more in line with the later ones but even grittier.
“Branded” the albums opener, is an energetic rocker, that starts, the a massive rockin’ riff. It’s a rather simple, but effective tune with a down to the point chorus. Much of the album, revolves about Lita exorcizing all the demons and unbolting all bitterness and resentment she felt towards her ex-husband and this is only the first of many well veiled “attacks”.
“Hate” is a ponderous little mid tempo number, with a really thumbing bass, that feels a lot like vintage Lita or The Runaways, dragged by the hair into the ‘10s. The production is modern but the song is vintage.
“The Mask” is another simple rocking tune, with another simple, but “meaty” riff. Again it’s modern in the way it sounds, but very old school in it’s conviction.
The album’s namesake “Living Like a Runaway” is a by the numbers, melodic, recounting of Lita’s life, in lyrical form. It’s not bad... actually, only a bit different than the rest of the songs on the album.
“Relentless” follows the same, formula, as the earlier numbers on the album, but its riff, is just too generic and only the lead and chorus kinda save it, but still, its dynamics are a bit messed. Could have been a little more punchy, which would have made it a great tune. As it stands it’s a missed opportunity.
“Mother” is a “bittersweet” ballad/apology, from Lita towards her sons that supposedly, sided with their father and physically as well as verbally assaulted her when news of her divorce broke. It’s heartfelt, that is I suppose the best way to put it.
“Devil in My Head” is another “heavy/melodic/slower” number, with a straight to the point riff. Again, there are some pretty good ideas, but the song does feel a little “empty”. There’s a lead towards the end, that might have worked better, if it was in the middle I guess, but anyway.
“Asylum” tips the balance, production wise as well as tone wise, towards the earlier stuff, that Lita has done, it still, is heavy and drags its proverbial feet, too through the corridors of the “Asylum”... I guess, it manages to convey they atmosphere it wants rather well.
“Love 2 Hate U” is not an Erasure cover, but hey, it’s again, different than anything else on the album. A bittersweet poppy duet, that does have some scorching leads, to redeem it though, about recounting the good times of a relationship just before “The End”.
Finally, at least on the “normal” edition, there’s a cover? A Nikki Sixx, penned tune, a very modern, wimpy one too, called “A Song To Slit Your Wrists By” that’s, again, too - left field compared to anything else on the album, but, I suppose, it was chosen to send a message out, to whoever the recipient might be.
All in all, after the horrendous “Wicked Wonderland” anything would have worked. I just suppose, “Living Like a Runaway” is in fact a little better than I would have expected. It’s majorly personal and a “purging” album, so without saying that it’s not quite enjoyable, it’s not a career highlight either. I’m curious however, what Lita will come up with, after this one!
And “Living Like a Runaway” is very much delivering and fulfilling that promise. Well maybe her voice is a little, more husky and deeper, but I suppose it’s maturity. Also the writing partnership with, Gary Hoey, of Heavy Bones fame (he also nearly landed the Ozzy gig, in the late 90s and has released some dozen instrumental albums, through the years) has produced, a true hard rock album, but it’s quite darker, than the early albums and more in line with the later ones but even grittier.
“Branded” the albums opener, is an energetic rocker, that starts, the a massive rockin’ riff. It’s a rather simple, but effective tune with a down to the point chorus. Much of the album, revolves about Lita exorcizing all the demons and unbolting all bitterness and resentment she felt towards her ex-husband and this is only the first of many well veiled “attacks”.
“Hate” is a ponderous little mid tempo number, with a really thumbing bass, that feels a lot like vintage Lita or The Runaways, dragged by the hair into the ‘10s. The production is modern but the song is vintage.
“The Mask” is another simple rocking tune, with another simple, but “meaty” riff. Again it’s modern in the way it sounds, but very old school in it’s conviction.
The album’s namesake “Living Like a Runaway” is a by the numbers, melodic, recounting of Lita’s life, in lyrical form. It’s not bad... actually, only a bit different than the rest of the songs on the album.
“Relentless” follows the same, formula, as the earlier numbers on the album, but its riff, is just too generic and only the lead and chorus kinda save it, but still, its dynamics are a bit messed. Could have been a little more punchy, which would have made it a great tune. As it stands it’s a missed opportunity.
“Mother” is a “bittersweet” ballad/apology, from Lita towards her sons that supposedly, sided with their father and physically as well as verbally assaulted her when news of her divorce broke. It’s heartfelt, that is I suppose the best way to put it.
“Devil in My Head” is another “heavy/melodic/slower” number, with a straight to the point riff. Again, there are some pretty good ideas, but the song does feel a little “empty”. There’s a lead towards the end, that might have worked better, if it was in the middle I guess, but anyway.
“Asylum” tips the balance, production wise as well as tone wise, towards the earlier stuff, that Lita has done, it still, is heavy and drags its proverbial feet, too through the corridors of the “Asylum”... I guess, it manages to convey they atmosphere it wants rather well.
“Love 2 Hate U” is not an Erasure cover, but hey, it’s again, different than anything else on the album. A bittersweet poppy duet, that does have some scorching leads, to redeem it though, about recounting the good times of a relationship just before “The End”.
Finally, at least on the “normal” edition, there’s a cover? A Nikki Sixx, penned tune, a very modern, wimpy one too, called “A Song To Slit Your Wrists By” that’s, again, too - left field compared to anything else on the album, but, I suppose, it was chosen to send a message out, to whoever the recipient might be.
All in all, after the horrendous “Wicked Wonderland” anything would have worked. I just suppose, “Living Like a Runaway” is in fact a little better than I would have expected. It’s majorly personal and a “purging” album, so without saying that it’s not quite enjoyable, it’s not a career highlight either. I’m curious however, what Lita will come up with, after this one!