 Janet Gardner, self titled, Pavement
Not constrained by the history of Vixen, Janet Gardner has released this her first solo album with a slightly heavier more modern direction reminiscent of Halestorm. Janet is still very much a part of Vixen and their much loved sound, but in the medium of a solo album she has been able to express other parts of herself. It is fresh and exciting and, while we would also love to hear a new album from Vixen, this will do very nicely in the interim! Reinvigorated by her marriage with Justin James she collaborates with him on this record, created while Vixen were on hiatus due to a line up change. We are glad she seized this opportunity to produce this awesome new album! An immediate in your face metal chant, it’s a take no prisoner attitude from the first with storming first track ‘Rat Hole’. The lyric ‘dirty motherfuckers’ tells you immediately that this is a new approach from the beautiful foxy lady as she shows you her teeth and why she has such a reputation for her powerful voice. A heavy chugging riff indicates the masculine presence of Justin James with slight thrash influences, but the chorus is pure get under your skin 80s commercial hard rock. ‘Hippycrite’ opens with a heavier guitar riff and has a pop influenced chorus and drum machine style beat set against a lyric with a streak of anger and 80s style guitar shredding that makes it undoubtedly rock and likely to appeal to all of Janet’s previous fans. ‘If you want me’ combines a lighter well crafted vocal melody which is quite Vixen in approach with a driving grinding riff and an 80s style guitar break in a genius something for everybody combination. ‘Candle’ is more of a ballad and love song and could easily have been a Vixen record were it not for a Steve Stevens style interlude where Justin James intercedes with a bit of testosterone fuelled fast paced burst of pure ‘look at me’ guitar energy. ‘Your Problem Now’ is a strong hard rocker with Janet singing at full throttle reminding of Smashed Gladys, Saraya and Lizzy Hale who can belt a tune out to rival the boys anyday. ‘Let it be Over’ is an anti war song with an awesome passionate guitar solo like one of those in a great Michael Jackson song (in the days when guitar heroes lifted Jackson’s songs) and strikes a great balance in the vocals between gentle and peaceful to suit the message, but with a moment of Janet letting rip with full force to indicate the anger against the senseless waste of life. The apocalyptic guitar passages in ‘Lost’ give this track a nineties edge while retaining a strong 80s sensibility in the vocal delivery. ‘The Grind’ has Janet catching the 90s groove for parts of the vocals taking the cue from the heavy bass line, with some lighter 80s style vocals thrown in for contrast. “Best Friend’ is a pretty acoustic ballad and an indication of the happiness and bliss of new love. ‘The Good or the Bye’ is a good little barnstormer with a witty lyric and southern rock influence executed with rock n roll style guitar a la Junkyard and whisky laden vocals a la Britny Fox or classic Cinderella. Janet has delivered an album taking some of the great aspects of Vixen, but combined with the masculine energy of her husband has resulted in producing something palpably different. Refreshing and new, while we can’t wait for the next Vixen album, we loved this opportunity to see this particular vixen with a small ‘v’ produce something with a little more bite. Dawn Osborne 9/10 Pre-order via iTunes right here and get the new single 'Rat Hole' - officially out on August 18th.
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