Girlschool : "WTFortyfive"

These gals have been around since 1978. Kim McAuliffe is 64 and the only other original member here is drummer Denise Dufort who is also 64. Perhaps the same age as your grandmother. For some grannies they bring it pretty well. At 64 years old, makes them the same age as Joan Jett , whose band beat them to the punch at being the first female rock band by two years. However Girlschool, has crank out a harder brand of rock that comes closer to being metal. They have some moments on this album. One of the stand out's being the darker more metal leaning 'Cold Dark Heart". Which has both the edge and the hooks to keep my interest. Things are by and large very simple when it comes to their song writing formula, which explains why normally the people into these gals are often big Motorhead and AC/DC fans , they like things simple. Perhaps even dumbed down. 

Lyrically things can not get much dumber than the CO-VID themed "Invisible Killer" which might not tout the popular narrative of the day regarding it, but the meter of the vocal phrasing makes the awkward delivery worse. I mentioned AC/DC earlier and with good reason when I hear "Believing In You" which almost rips it off. There is also a Slade vibe to their sounds at times. The arena rocking major chords are often too happy for my tastes, but if like to take your Camaro out for a sunday afternoon drive, this might be a good soundtrack for you. For what they do, the production on the album works at recapturing the era they are from. The social commentary of "It's a Mess" works for me, though what you might expect from a 64 rocker mom.

"Into the Night" sounds better for her on the verses vocally, but the overall song writing feels a tad dialed in, though it's better than most of this album. 'Are You Ready" is likely what fans of this band want, and they deliver. The problem here being I was never a fan, and always felt if they had not been the rare all-female metal band in the 80s less people would have made such a big deal about them because when compared to their supposed peers , like fellow Brits Iron Maiden, there is no comparison and they do not come close. "Party" is the anthem they can not make any one with half a brain believe as they are older than the Golden Girls. I am not sure guest spots are what this band needs , though there are plenty willing to show up. Numbered among them are Duff, Phil Campbell and Biff Byford. I will give this rocky trip down memory lane a 6.5. Met the low expectations I had for it.