CD REVIEW: LITA FORD – Time Capsule

Label: Steamhammer / SPV

Release Date: April 15, 2016

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

It is typically hit or miss when an artist finds ‘lost’ material and issues older songs.  With the latest effort from Lita Ford, we get some of both – hit and miss.  There are some songs that fit right in with the material she was issuing in the late 80’s and early 90’s.  Some of the songs are as good as those songs (if not better), and others… well… not so much.  The “Intro” features Lita’s ex-husband Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P. fame.  I am not sure what the purpose of this short intro is, but I have made a point of making sure I skip it every time I listen to the disc.  “Where Will I Find My Heart Tonight” is a great track and builds on just about everything that came off of  Lita, Stiletto, or my personal Ford favorite Dangerous Curves.  The addition of Jeff Scott Soto and his melodic vocals take this one over the top.  This is a beautiful power ballad that should have received tons of radio and video play back in the late 80’s.  “War Of The Angels” is a rocker with a soft side.  The guitars are cool and mellow at the opening and bring back memories of listening to Lita’s self-titled disc in 1988.  The chorus layers the vocals and gives this one a cool groove between verses and takes us to a cool bridge.  Another great rocker featured is an unreleased KISS track, “Rotten To The Core” written by the Gene Simmons.  This features a chugging riff that is complimented by Lita’s lead vocal.  The bass is all 80’s Simmons and then KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick tosses a little guitar work into the mix as well.  This is another of my favorites on the disc.  “King Of The Wild Wind” is the oddest track on the disc, with a very melancholy feel to it.  The vocals during the verses seem echoed and distanced from the musical accompaniment, but jump into line at the chorus.  The guitar solo is very Lita and very 80’s – a true time capsule of her playing at the time.    Closer “Anything For The Thrill” brings us back to a more finished sounding track that allows the bass and drums to take the lead and run with the groove.  The vocals are full while the chugging riffs, pings, and squeals add fun to the track, while keeping up with the accelerated tempo.  The bridge is a cool showcase for Ford’s guitar prowess and the ability of her rhythm section.

Drummer Rodger Carter handles the skin bashing on every track on this disc, while different bass players and other special guests creep into various tracks.  “Killing Kind” is another power ballad that missed its calling back in the heyday of 80’s metal.  The guitar work is really good, with bonus strings from Dave Navarro on mandolin and Billy Sheehan on bass.  Toss in some killer background vocals from Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen and you have the makings of an excellent track, which this happens to be.  “Black Leather Heart” marries the different sounds and flavors of the previously mentioned discs, but tosses in a grunge-tinged vocal.  The tempo of the track gets the foot tapping and the head banging.  The chorus is catchy and begs to be played loud and live.  This track features Billy Sheehan tickling the bass, which is pleasingly noticeable at the bridge.  There are two instrumentals back to back on the disc, with Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” and “On The Fast Track.”  While the former is a cool take on a Hendrix classic, showing off Lita’s love of the guitar and the latter has an incomplete feel to it, like an unfinished demo, I am not overly impressed with either being included on this collection, as I think it detracts from what Lita brings to the table as a player and singer.  On both of these tracks, Jimmy Tavis handles the bass and helps Carter keep the tempo in check even when Ford lets loose on her axe.  “Mr. Corruption” is a weird track in that it sounds like a demo that wasn’t touched up at all.  The guitars and vocals are a bit fuzzy and mismatched at times.  While not the best thing Lita has ever put together, this is a cool representation of what she was doing in the late 80’s and what we loved about her then and now.

​​​Tracklisting: Intro – Where Will I Find My Heart Tonight – Killing Kind – War Of The Angels – Black Leather Heart – Rotten To The Core – Little Wing – On The Fast Track – King Of The Wild Wind – Mr. Corruption – Anything For The Thrill

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Category: CD Reviews