THE AMORETTES-Haulin' Ass CD

The debut CD from the contemporary Scottish metal answer to Girlschool, finds this all-female trio delivering a thoroughly in-your-face, unsubtle, sometimes crass, invariably sleazy, but downright rockin' ten-tracker of driving Classic Rock that nearly always hits the spot. Choc full of SAZ-like three minute metal-pop gems, the band rock their way through song after song like they were going out of fashion, something this music never does as it was never “in fashion” in the first place, rock that it totally timeless. Lead guitarist and lead singer Gillian Montgomery powers her way through the tracks delivering the lyrics with as much power, venom and yet melodic strength as she can muster with her mid-high range singing, full of power and emotion. Invariably, the tracks take the form of driving rockers, every bit the absolute epitome of vintage Girlschool, only way more aggressive, harder, rockier and generally slightly faster. I wouldn't say there was one particular standout song, since they're all on the same level and arranged with similar infusions of metal madness, but totally exciting from one to the next. Nearly all of them have driving arrangements with surging verses and powerful choruses, often the latter featuring extra harmony vocals for extra depth and strength. With the powerhouse rhythm section of Heather Mackay and Hannah Mackay propelling each and every rocker, it's left to Gillian's solid vocals and that searing electric guitar leads to put the icing on the riffing cake and bring the whole thing to life. The ten tracks feel like they've gone by in the blink of an eye, so that once done, all you want to do is charge them up and start all over. As metalli-pop goes, it's got the right degree of metal mixed with heady, heavy choruses, delivered by a generally speedy trio of female rockers who take no prisoners yet keep the melody flowing. All in all, a solid winner of an album.