Girlschool – WTFortyfive?
Silver Lining Records
Release Date: 28/07/23
Running Time: 42:12
Review by Paul Hutchings
6/10
When I was a teenager, I wanted to marry Kelly Johnson, the vocalist and guitarist of Girlschool, who so tragically died in 2007. Girlschool were an enigma. They had some decent songs, but it was their long association with Motörhead that gave them kudos. And if Lemmy said they were alright, then they were alright. In the years that passed, I’ve seen Girlschool live many times, and they’ve been average at best. Chaotic on stage, they at times seem to have learnt nothing during their five decades as a band. Their support slot to Saxon in January 2022 at Hammersmith Odeon was case in point. They were awful, despite the reaction of the beered-up crowd who might have thought otherwise.
It’s been years since I listened to anything that Kim McAuliffe, Denise Dufort, Jackie Chambers and Enid Williams/Tracy Lamb had produced. In fact, I wasn’t aware that “Guilty as Sin”, which came out in 2015, even existed. So, with my memories of their music rooted back in “Demolition”, “Hit and Run” and “Play Dirty”, I dived into their 14th studio album with expectations average at best.
Overall, “WTFortyfive?” isn’t that bad an album. Sure, its pedestrian in parts as you might expect, with the songs following a relatively routine structure. But they have the benefit of a superb production, and a couple of absolute bangers to balance out some of the less exciting tracks. Performance wise, it’s McAuliffe’s smoky delivery that takes the points, for her vocals are as strong as they’ve ever been. She snarls, roars, and genuinely gives an all-round performance of quality.
“WTFortyfive?” starts strongly. ‘It is What it Is’ provides a vibrant and energetic opener, with some pumping Motörhead vibes. Lamb’s throbbing bass and some chunky riffs alongside McAuliffe’s vocals suggest a good journey ahead. The heaviness of ‘Cold Dark Heart’ maintains the momentum, and suddenly, I’m thinking, Girlschool are writing decent heavy rocking songs. The challenge is maintaining the level of quality. ‘Bump in the Night’ is average at best, with some weak lyrics, and the traditional Girlschool formula evident in each song. You are already yearning for something a little less formulaic.
‘Invisible Killer’ is evidently about the pandemic, and its lazy lyrics and rather plodding feel don’t exactly generate excitement. Elsewhere, ‘Into the Night’ is an average rock song, with little to get excited about. It’s a shame, for the songs are played well, and this is Girlschool performing as well as they have since those early 80s albums. They just don’t quite hit the heights with their songwriting. It’s a little insipid in places.
First single ‘Are You Ready?’ was co-written by Joe Stump of Alcatrazz, and it’s a decent if predictable riff heavy track that stands toward the higher end of the quality here. It’s one where Chambers’ lead work stands out, and she’s probably another highlight on the whole album, her performance being consistent throughout.
The gang chanting style that formed their early sound remains throughout. The punky romp of ‘Up to No Good’ draws you back to those early albums, even if the choruses are formulaic. You can ignore the strains of ‘Party’, the worst song on the album by a mile, with its cliched lyrics, and move on to the finale. A cover of ‘Born to Raise Hell’ sees Biff Byford, Phil Campbell, and Duff McKagan join in the fun. I prefer Phils’s Bastard Sons doing this song but it’s a nice tribute to their long-time mentor who was still alive when their last record was released.
Was I expecting anything more than I heard? Probably not. I have plenty of respect for Girlschool and their continued devotion to their music. I just don’t find it particularly exciting, innovative, or contemporary. And that’s my problem after all. Perhaps it’s best to just kick back and enjoy 11 songs that rock hard and ignore my ramblings.
‘It Is What It Is’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. It Is What It Is
02. Cold Dark Heart
03. Bump In the Night
04. Barmy Army
05. Invisible Killer
06. Believing In You
07. It’s A Mess
08. Into The Night
08. Are You Ready? (Feat. Joe Stump)
09. Up To No Good
10. Party
11. Born To Raise Hell (feat. Biff Byford, Phil Campbell & Duff McKagan)
LINE-UP:
Kim McAuliffe – Guitar/vocals
Denise Dufort – Drums
Jackie Chambers – Guitar/backing vocals
Tracey Lamb – Bass
LINKS:
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