LITA FORD – Living Like a Runaway
Well known for her guitar abilities and accentuating her feminine curves during the 80’s hard rock heydays, Lita Ford took a long break when grunge and alternative music overtook the major media outlets. “Living Like A Runaway” leans back into modern rock songwriting, with occasional nods the melodic 80’s. “Branded” lifts its main guitar riff from any number of Foo Fighters up tempo tracks, and the electronic drum element plus distant vocal effects to “The Mask” dissuade listeners who miss her “Back To The Cave” or “Gotta Let Go” earlier solo efforts.
The acoustic ballad “Mother” and “No More Tears”-ish “Devil In My Head” represents the best hope for Lita’s transition record. One wonders if she’s steering her own course or chasing the current market opportunities- because I doubt “Living Like A Runaway” will contain enough bite to appease her older following.