With a name like Smashed Gladys I guess you know what you’re gonna get, or maybe not. How many sleaze glam bands were fronted by a female vocalist? Sadly Sally Cato is no longer with us, as she died a few years ago.
Lick It Into Shape is a kick ass opening with a great uptempo groove and a riff to make you want to nod that head, it is my favourite on the record. 17 Goin On Crazy is a very heavily Stones/Faces-influenced barroom rocker. Play Dirty follows and has a dirty sleazy AC/DC groove. Dive In The Dark plugs deep into that AC/DC well again, but with added sleaze. Eye Of The Storm closes out Side 1 and we have a total change of vibe at the intro. Vocalist Sally Cato shows she can really sing during the song’s intro, before the guitars kick in.
Side 2 opens up with Hard To Swallow and it’s a classic glam sleaze anthem. It’s back to Faces barroom territory with Legs Up. Sally Cato sings this style better than her male counterparts. Eye For An Eye starts with THAT riff. You know that one that you’ve heard a million times before. Luckily it’s only at the intro, and the hook and chorus are really good. Cast Of Nasties starts with a Barracuda style gallop, it is my least favourite track on the album. Sermonette closes out the album and reminds me of an early Kiss tune.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
